Basic Concepts of Biology Quiz

Cells are the basic units of life.
Types of cells:
- Prokaryotic: No nucleus (e.g., bacteria).
- Eukaryotic: Has a nucleus (e.g., plant and animal cells).
Common structures:
- Cell membrane: Protects and regulates what enters/exits the cell.
- Nucleus: Contains DNA.
- Ribosomes: Sites of protein synthesis.
- Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, responsible for ATP production.

Study of heredity and variation in organisms.
Central concepts:
- DNA: The genetic material that carries information.
- Genes: Segments of DNA that code for proteins.
- Chromosomes: Structures made of DNA that contain genes.
Mendelian inheritance: Principles of inheritance established by Gregor Mendel.

Evolution: The process of change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.
Natural selection: Mechanism of evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.
Common descent: The idea that all living organisms share a common ancestor.

Study of interactions among organisms and their environment.
Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.
Biomes: Large ecological areas with distinct climate conditions (e.g., deserts, forests).
Key concepts:
- Food chains/Webs: Represent energy flow in ecosystems.
- Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Study of the functions and mechanisms in living systems.
Major systems in animals:
- Circulatory: Transports blood and nutrients.
- Respiratory: Involves gas exchange.
- Digestive: Breaks down food for energy.
- Nervous: Controls body responses and activities.

Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
Cellular respiration: Process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.
Reproduction: Can be sexual (involving two parents) or asexual (involving one parent).

Homeostasis: The maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism.
Adaptation: A trait that enhances an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce.
Speciation: The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Biology studies life and living organisms.
Key areas of study include cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and physiology.

Cells are the fundamental building blocks of life.
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and are found in organisms like bacteria.
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and are found in plants and animals.
The cell membrane is a protective barrier that controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell.
The nucleus houses DNA, the genetic material of the cell.
Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis.
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, generating energy in the form of ATP.

Genetics examines heredity and variations in organisms.
DNA is the genetic material that carries biological information.
Genes are segments of DNA that code for specific proteins.
Chromosomes are structures composed of DNA that contain genes.
Mendelian inheritance describes the principles of inheritance established by Gregor Mendel.

Evolution is the gradual change in the heritable characteristics of populations over generations.
Natural selection favors organisms with traits better suited for their environment, leading to their increased survival and reproduction.
Common descent is the concept that all living organisms share a common ancestor.

Ecology investigates interactions between organisms and their environment.
An ecosystem comprises a community of living organisms interacting with their physical surroundings.
Biomes are extensive ecological regions characterized by distinct climate conditions, such as deserts and forests.
Food chains and webs represent energy flow within ecosystems.
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms within a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Physiology focuses on the functions and mechanisms within living systems.
Major systems in animals include the circulatory system (transporting blood and nutrients), respiratory system (gas exchange), digestive system (breaking down food for energy), and nervous system (controlling bodily responses and activities).

Photosynthesis enables plants to convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose.
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.
Reproduction can be sexual (involving two parents) or asexual (involving one parent).

Homeostasis refers to the maintenance of stable internal conditions within an organism.
Adaptation is a trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
Speciation is the evolutionary process by which new and distinct species arise.