Questions and Answers
What are the 7 characteristics of life?
Responsiveness to the environment; growth and change; ability to reproduce; have a metabolism and breathe; maintain homeostasis; being made of cells; passing traits onto offspring.
How many of the characteristics must an object possess to be considered living?
All of the characteristics of living things.
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is a characteristic of a system that regulates its internal environment and maintains a stable, relatively constant condition of properties.
List each biomolecule and the elements found in each.
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List each biomolecule and all of their functions.
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List the monomers in the polymers of each biomolecule.
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What is an enzyme? Describe the characteristics of an enzyme.
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List the functions of enzymes.
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Explain the difference between prokaryote cells and eukaryote cells.
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What are examples of prokaryote cells and eukaryote cells?
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List all the organelles and structures found in plant and animal cells and explain their function.
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List ALL the differences between animal cells and plant cells.
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List the 4 types of cell transport mechanisms and include their definitions.
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Study Notes
Characteristics of Life
- Seven characteristics define living organisms: responsiveness to the environment, growth and change, reproduction, metabolism and breathing, homeostasis, cellular composition, and inheritance of traits.
- All characteristics must be present for an object to be classified as alive.
Homeostasis
- Homeostasis maintains a stable internal environment, crucial for organism function.
- Derived from Greek terms 'homeo' (similar) and 'stasis' (stable).
Biomolecules and Their Elements
- Key biomolecules are composed of essential elements:
- Carbon (4 electrons in outer shell)
- Hydrogen (1 electron)
- Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur.
Functions of Biomolecules
- Major groups: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
- Functions include energy storage and structural support within cells.
Monomers and Polymers
- Each biomolecule has specific monomers and polymers:
- Fatty acids → Diglycerides, Triglycerides
- Monosaccharides → Polysaccharides
- Amino acids → Polypeptides (proteins)
- Nucleotides → Nucleic acids (DNA, RNA)
Enzymes
- Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts with three main characteristics.
- Their primary function is to accelerate the rate of chemical reactions.
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells
- Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus.
- Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
Examples of Cell Types
- Prokaryotes: Bacteria, Archaea.
- Eukaryotes: Protists, Fungi, Plants, Animals.
Organelles in Plant and Animal Cells
- Organelles in animal cells and their functions:
- Cell membrane: semi-permeable outer covering.
- Cytoplasm: gel-like matrix for organelles.
- Nucleus: houses DNA and directs cell activities.
- Centrioles: assist in cell division.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum: network of membranes (rough and smooth).
- Golgi complex: stores and packages cellular products.
- Lysosomes: digest cellular waste.
- Microtubules: provide support and shape.
- Mitochondria: energy producers through cellular respiration.
- Ribosomes: sites for protein synthesis.
- Nucleolus: synthesizes ribosomes.
- Nucleopore: allows nucleic acids and proteins to move in/out of nucleus.
Differences Between Animal and Plant Cells
-
Animal Cells:
- No cell wall, irregular shape.
- Absent chloroplasts, smaller vacuoles.
- Central nucleus location.
-
Plant Cells:
- Cell wall presence, regular shape.
- Contain chloroplasts, large central vacuole.
- Starch grains present, nucleus often at the edge due to vacuole size.
Cell Transport Mechanisms
- Types include:
- Simple Diffusion: passive, no energy, follows concentration gradient.
- Osmosis: passive transport of water.
- Active Transport: requires energy to move substances against the gradient.
- Facilitated Diffusion: no energy, involves helper proteins to transport substances.
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Test your knowledge on the seven characteristics of life with these flashcards. Each card will help you understand what defines a living organism and the essential features that differentiate living things from non-living ones.