Biology: Building Blocks of Life and Cells
16 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of life?

  • Presence of a nucleus (correct)
  • Metabolic activity for growth and reproduction
  • Presence of a membrane-bound boundary
  • Ability to evolve through natural selection

    • What is the primary function of nucleic acids in cells?

  • Storing and transmitting genetic information (correct)
  • Facilitating cell communication
  • Serving as primary energy sources
  • Providing structural support

    • Which of the following statements correctly describes the genetic code?

  • There are 64 possible codons, each encoding a specific amino acid.
  • Codons are always read in the 3' to 5' direction on mRNA.
  • Each amino acid is encoded by a single specific codon. (correct)
  • The order of amino acids in a protein determines the sequence of nucleotides in a gene.

    • What is the role of tRNA in protein synthesis?

    <p>Carrying amino acids to the ribosome (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a key function of lipids in cells?

    <p>Providing energy storage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

    <p>Prokaryotic cells are smaller and lack a nucleus. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements correctly describes the role of proteins in cells?

    <p>Proteins act as structural components and enzymes, facilitating metabolic reactions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a key difference between DNA and RNA?

    <p>DNA is double-stranded, while RNA is single-stranded. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason why eukaryotic cells have compartmentalisation?

    <p>To allow for specialization of different cell functions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of introns in eukaryotic gene structure?

    <p>To be spliced out of the final mRNA sequence (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the endosymbiotic theory explain the origin of eukaryotic cells?

    <p>Prokaryotes engulfed and incorporated other prokaryotes to form more complex cells. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate size difference between a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell?

    <p>1000 times larger (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the regulatory regions in a eukaryotic gene?

    <p>To control the initiation and rate of transcription (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a feature of prokaryotic cells?

    <p>Compartmentalisation with internal organelles (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary type of RNA involved in protein synthesis?

    <p>mRNA (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Asgard archaea in the understanding of eukaryotic evolution?

    <p>They are the closest known prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Cell Membrane

    A lipid barrier surrounding all cells, regulating what enters and exits.

    Eukaryotic Cells

    Cells with a nucleus and organelles, larger than prokaryotes.

    DNA Function

    Contains genetic information; transcribed into RNA for protein production.

    RNA Types

    mRNA, tRNA, rRNA serve roles in protein synthesis and gene regulation.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Introns and Exons

    Introns are non-coding sequences removed from mRNA during processing, exons are coding.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Endosymbiotic Theory

    Proposes that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from free-living bacteria.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Origins of Life

    Life began with LUCA, the last universal common ancestor, over 4 billion years ago.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Gene Regulation

    Regulatory regions in genes help guide transcription factors for genes to be expressed.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Cells

    The fundamental units of life, encompassing all living organisms.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Universal Genetic Code

    The shared genetic information in all living organisms, guiding the synthesis of proteins.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Nucleic Acids

    Molecules that encode genetic information; includes DNA and RNA.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Codon

    A set of three nucleotides that specify an amino acid in protein synthesis.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Proteins

    Molecules made of amino acids that perform various functions in cells.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Lipids

    Molecules that form cell membranes and store energy, often hydrophobic.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Sugars

    Carbohydrates that provide energy and structural support in cells.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes

    Two major types of cells; prokaryotes are simple (bacteria), and eukaryotes are complex (animals, plants).

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Study Notes

    Building Blocks of Life

    • Life is composed of fundamental molecular building blocks: nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and sugars.
    • Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) encode information in cells.
    • Proteins carry out most cellular functions, speeding up reactions, transporting molecules, providing support, and repairing damage.
    • Lipids form cell membranes, acting as barriers and playing a role in energy storage and communication.
    • Sugars are major energy sources and structural components.
    • There are 68 molecules contributing to these four major groups.

    Cells

    • Cells are the fundamental units of life.
    • Prokaryotic cells (bacteria and archaea) are simpler than eukaryotic cells (larger, more complex).
    • All cells: sense and respond to their environment, contain DNA, are surrounded by a membrane, and share common building blocks.
    • Virus' are smaller than prokaryotes and need a host cell to replicate.
    • Eukaryotic cells overcome limitations of size with compartmentalization and specialization capabilities.
    • Organelles in eukaryotic cells carry out specific functions.

    Gene Structure and Function

    • Genes are DNA sequences transcribed into RNA.
    • RNA types include mRNA (translated into protein), tRNA and rRNA (protein synthesis), and miRNA (gene expression regulation).
    • Non-coding DNA regions include introns, regulatory sequences, and other elements.
    • Genes have directions, coding and regulatory regions, and control transcription factor and RNA polymerase activity.
    • RNA polymerase transcribes genes and the introns are spliced out.

    Origins of Life (Cells)

    • The Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) existed approximately 4.3 billion years ago.
    • Eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotic ancestors through endosymbiosis, a process where one cell engulfed another, leading to the creation of organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts.
    • Mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as free-living organisms.
    • Asgard archaea are closely related to the last common ancestor of eukaryotes.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Lecture 1 - Building Blocks of Life PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers essential concepts in biology, focusing on the molecular building blocks of life, including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and sugars. It also explores the fundamental units of life, such as prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and their characteristics. Test your understanding of how these components interact and contribute to cellular functions.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser