Biology Chapter: Characteristics of Life

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Questions and Answers

What are the characteristics of living things? (Select all that apply)

Transform energy (correct)

Adapt and evolve (correct)

Store/Process info (DNA genome passed down) (correct)

Grow and reproduce (correct)

Consists of cells (correct)

How are organisms classified?

Organisms are classified according to a binomial system in Taxonomic Ranks. The system uses Genus and Species (species: group capable of interbreeding).

What are the concepts of the Cell Theory? (Select all that apply)

All organisms are composed of cells (correct)

Smallest thing that can be alive (correct)

Cells were the first form of life on earth.

Cells arise only from preexisting cells (correct)

Cells are found in all kingdoms of life

What are Emergent Properties?

"Whole is greater than the sum of parts" Signup and view all the answers

What is the order of things at a population level?

Population-> species -> community -> ecosystem -> biosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is an atom? What are valence electrons?

The smallest stable part of the cell. Valence electrons are on the outermost ring and are the ones which interact with other atoms. Signup and view all the answers

What is an element?

A substance which can't be broken down. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Atomic number = # of protons Atomic mass = sum of mass of protons and neutrons Mass = amount of a substance Weight = the force exerted on gravity on substance Isotopes = have a different number of protons than the original. Ions = have a different number of electrons. Signup and view all the answers

Which bond is the strongest and which is the weakest?

Covalent ----> Ionic ----> Hydrogen (sharing of H atom). Strongest to weakest. Signup and view all the answers

Why is water so essential for life?

Water's properties make it crucial for life, including cohesion, adhesion, specific heat capacity and universal solvent. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three domains of living organisms?

Bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What are the classes of Eukarya? There may be more than one correct answer:

Animalia: Lack cell walls, obtain energy through ingesting other organisms Signup and view all the answers

What are molecules and what are compounds?

Molecules are Groups of atoms held together in a stable association. Compounds are Molecules with more than one type of element. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four macromolecules? (Select all that apply)

Carbohydrates Signup and view all the answers

What are the building blocks of carbohydrates?

Monosaccharides, which contain C, H, O in a 1:2:1 ratio. Signup and view all the answers

What are the building blocks of Nucleic Acids?

Nucleotides, which consist of a phosphate, sugar and nitrogenous base. Signup and view all the answers

What are the building blocks of proteins?

Amino acids, which contain an amino group, carboxyl group, single hydrogen, and R group. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four structures of a protein?

The four structures of a protein are Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary. Signup and view all the answers

What do prokaryotes contain in the cell? There may be more than one correct answer.

DNA Signup and view all the answers

Match the following cell components with their functions:

Cell wall = Provides structural support and protection to plant cells Membrane = Regulates the passage of substances into and out of the cell Nucleus = Contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) Ribosomes = Synthesize proteins Endoplasmic reticulum = Synthesizes lipids, proteins, stores calcium, and detoxifies molecules Golgi apparatus = Processes and packages proteins and lipids, and synthesizes carbohydrates Lysosomes = Break down cellular waste products Peroxisomes = Enclose a variety of enzymatic reactions, break down fatty acids, and detoxify molecules Cytoplasm = The fluid that fills the cell and contains the organelles Cytosol = The fluid portion of the cytoplasm excluding organelles Mitochondria = Produce energy (ATP) for the cell through cellular respiration Chloroplasts = Perform photosynthesis, the process of converting light energy into chemical energy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characteristics of Living Things

Consist of cells
Store and process information (DNA)
Transform energy
Grow and reproduce
Adapt and evolve

Classification of Organisms

Binomial system used (Genus-Species)
Species capable of interbreeding

Cell Theory

All organisms are composed of cells
Cells are the smallest unit of life
Cells arise from pre-existing cells

Emergent Properties

"The whole is greater than the sum of the parts"
Differences in organisms appear as complexity increases

Atomic Structure and Properties

Element: A substance that cannot be broken down
Atomic number: Number of protons
Atomic mass: Sum of protons and neutrons
Mass: Amount of matter
Weight: Force of gravity on matter
Isotopes: Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons
lons: Atoms with different numbers of electrons

Bonds

Covalent bond: Sharing of electrons
Ionic bond: Transfer of electrons
Hydrogen bond: Attraction between a hydrogen atom and another atom

Water

Cohesion: water molecules stick together
High specific heat capacity: Helps maintain stable temperatures
Universal solvent: Dissolves many substances
Ice is less dense than liquid water

Domains of Life

Bacteria
Archaea
Eukarya

Eukarya Classes (Example)

Plantae: Cell walls, cellulose, photosynthesis
Fungi: Cell walls, chitin, external digestion
Animalia: Lack cell walls, ingest other organisms
Protista: Unicellular eukaryotes

Macromolecules

Carbohydrates: Energy, storage, structure
Lipids: Energy storage, cell membranes, signaling
Proteins: Enzymes, structural support
Nucleic acids: Genetic information

Cell Structure (Plant/Animal)

Plant: Cell wall, large central vacuole, chloroplasts
Animal: No cell wall

Cytoplasm vs. Cytosol

Cytoplasm: Everything inside the cell membrane
Cytosol: Fluid portion of the cytoplasm

Organelles

Nucleus: Protects DNA
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): Protein and lipid synthesis
Golgi apparatus: Carbohydrate processing
Lysosomes: Breakdown substances
Mitochondria: Cellular respiration
Ribosomes: Protein synthesis
Peroxisomes: Enzymatic reactions

Cell Membrane

Lipid bilayer (hydrophilic heads, hydrophobic tails)
Integral proteins
Peripheral proteins
Cholesterol: Affects fluidity

Cell Transport

Passive transport: No energy required (diffusion, osmosis)
Active transport: Requires energy
Types: Endocytosis, Exocytosis, Facilitated Diffusion

Cell Signaling

Direct contact: Gap junctions
Paracrine: Short-distance signaling
Endocrine: Long-distance signaling
Synaptic: Fast, long-distance (neurons)

Receptor Types

Channel-linked
Enzymatic
G-protein coupled

Enzymes and Thermodynamics

Enzymes: Biological catalysts
Allosteric enzymes: Active/inactive forms
Activation energy: Energy needed for a reaction
Catabolic: Break down molecules, release energy
Anabolic: Build molecules, require energy

Cellular Respiration

Aerobic
Anaerobic
Fermentation
Substrate-level phosphorylation
Oxidative phosphorylation (chemiosmosis)

Photosynthesis

Light-dependent reactions
Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle)
Photosystems
Pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoids)
Carbon fixation
Cyclic phosphorylation/Non-ciclic Phosphorylation

DNA Replication

Semiconservative mode l
Helicase, DNA polymerase, DNA ligase, primase, SSBPs
Origin of replication
Leading strand, lagging strand, Okazaki fragments

Transcription

Initiation, elongation, termination stages.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the fundamental characteristics of living things, cell theory, and the classification of organisms. This quiz covers key concepts such as atomic structure, emergent properties, and chemical bonds that are essential to understanding biology.