Biology Chapter on Cells and Protozoans

Algae Cell Walls

• Silica is the unique structural component of algae cell walls.

Algae Pathogenicity

• Some algae produce toxins that are harmful to humans.

Protozoan Characteristics

• All protozoans are eukaryotic and motile.

Protozoan Classification

• Protozoans are classified based on their mode of movement, such as flagella, cilia, or pseudopodia.

Mitosis in Eukaryotic Cells

• Mitosis produces identical cells, crucial for growth and repair.

Meiosis

• Meiosis results in four genetically unique daughter cells with half the original chromosome number.

Organelles involved in Protein Synthesis

• The order of organelles involved in protein synthesis is: ribosomes, rough ER, Golgi apparatus, and vesicles.

Endosymbiosis Theory

• The endosymbiosis theory explains the origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells.

Active Feeding Stage of Protozoans

• The active feeding stage of many protozoans is called a trophozoite.

Biological Vector in Malaria

• A biological vector, such as a mosquito, transmits Plasmodium falciparum (malaria parasite) from one host to another.

Host in Parasite Life Cycle

• The host where sexual reproduction of a parasite occurs is called the definitive host.

Intermediate Host of Malaria

• Humans are the intermediate host for Plasmodium falciparum.

Helminth Classification

• Helminths (worms) are classified into three groups: Nematodes (roundworms), Cestodes (tapeworms), and Trematodes (flukes).

Nematode Characteristics

• Nematodes have a cylindrical, unsegmented body.

Pinworms

• Pinworms are an example of a nematode helminth.

Biological Vector

• A biological vector is a carrier organism that transmits a pathogen through its body.

Lyme Disease Vector

• Ticks transmit Lyme disease.

Infestation of Lice

• The infestation of lice on a human host is called pediculosis.

Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Evolution

• Eukaryotes and prokaryotes evolved independently.

Organelle Origin from Primitive Cells

• Mitochondria evolved from primitive cells trapped in larger cells.

Microbiologist's Focus

• Microbiologists study eukaryotes, including algae.

Eukaryotic Flagella

• Eukaryotic flagella have a "9+2" arrangement of microtubules, differentiating them from prokaryotic flagella.

Fungi Reproduction

• Fungi reproduce through budding and spore formation.

Ascomycetes

• Ascomycetes are fungi that produce spores in a sac-like structure called an ascus.

Endosymbiosis Theory

• The theory of endosymbiosis explains the origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Protein Synthesis Organelle Order

• The order of organelles that a protein passes through in protein synthesis is: nucleus, rough ER, Golgi apparatus, and vesicle.

Mitochondrial Origin

• Mitochondria originated from Proteobacteria.

Protein Packaging and Modification

• The Golgi apparatus is responsible for packaging and modifying proteins.

Genotype

• A genotype is the total genetic makeup of an organism.

Discoverer of DNA Structure

• Rosalind Franklin discovered the double-helix structure of DNA.

Adenine Base Pairing

• Adenine pairs with thymine in DNA.

DNA Helicase Function

• DNA helicase unwinds the DNA helix during replication.

DNA Polymerase Function

• DNA polymerase synthesizes a new DNA strand by adding nucleotides.

Prokaryotic DNA Replication

• Prokaryotic DNA replication occurs in the cytoplasm.

RNA vs. DNA

• RNA contains uracil instead of thymine, and it has a ribose sugar, while DNA has a deoxyribose sugar.

mRNA Function

• mRNA carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosome.

tRNA Function

• tRNA delivers amino acids to the ribosome during translation.

Codon Function

• A codon codes for an amino acid and signals the start or stop of translation.

Start Codon Amino Acid

• The start codon typically codes for methionine.

Competent Cell

• A cell must be competent to be transformed.

Transduction

• Viruses are involved in transduction.

Jumping Genes

• Jumping genes are formally called transposons.

Spontaneous Mutation

• A spontaneous mutation does not arise from exposure to chemicals or physical agents.

Nonsense Mutation

• A nonsense mutation results in a stop codon.

Frameshift Mutation

• A frameshift mutation nearly always results in a nonfunctional protein.

Ames Test

• The Ames test is a first-line screening technique to detect mutagenic chemicals.

Mutations and Harmfulness

• Mutations are not always harmful to organisms.

Virus Characteristics

• Viruses are ultra-microscopic and lack cellular structure.

Viruses vs. Cellular Organisms

• Viruses are unable to reproduce independently.

Virus Measurement Unit

• Nanometers are commonly used to measure viruses.

Viral Infectious Properties

• Host range, receptor specificity, and replication mode influence viral infectious properties.

Virus Culture

• Viruses are cultured in living host cells.