Biology Levels of Organization and Macromolecules

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Questions and Answers

What is the correct order of levels of functional organization in living beings?

Cells, tissues, organs, systems, organisms (correct)

Cells, tissues, organs, organisms, systems

Cells, systems, tissues, organs, organisms

Cells, organs, tissues, systems, organisms

Which type of molecules are nonpolar and insoluble in water?

Carbohydrates

Nucleic acids

Proteins

Lipids (correct)

What is the primary function of carbohydrates in living organisms?

To transport substances

To provide insulation

To store genetic information

To provide energy (correct)

Which macromolecule is primarily responsible for catalyzing chemical reactions?

Proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is the monomer unit of carbohydrates?

Monosaccharides Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a structural protein?

Collagen Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes an enzyme?

Enzymes have an active site that binds substrates Signup and view all the answers

Which two types of organs are primarily distinguished by their embryological tissue origin?

Apparatus and systems Signup and view all the answers

What are the main components of a nucleotide?

Nitrogenous base, phosphate group, and ribose or deoxyribose sugar Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the function of RNA in relation to DNA?

RNA serves as an intermediary between DNA and proteins. Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is NOT a common feature of all cells?

Nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What does the plasma membrane primarily consist of?

Lipids and proteins Signup and view all the answers

What role do genes play in an organism?

They encode proteins that control cell functions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of eukaryotic cells compared to prokaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells typically possess a nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of membranes is NOT mentioned?

Ribosomal membrane Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cytoskeleton within the cytoplasm?

To maintain cell shape and facilitate movement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of dendrites in a neuron?

To receive signals from other neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which type of epithelial tissue is characterized by one layer and is specialized for transport of substances?

Simple epithelium Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of exocrine glands?

To secrete substances through ducts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major category of connective tissue?

Muscle Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes connective tissue proper?

Abundance of collagen fibers Signup and view all the answers

What cells are responsible for forming bone by trapping mineral salts?

Osteoblasts Signup and view all the answers

Which subtype of connective tissue proper has collagen fibers scattered loosely?

Loose Signup and view all the answers

Which type of epithelial tissue provides a protective barrier due to its multiple layers?

Stratified epithelium Signup and view all the answers

What type of stem cells are zygotes classified as?

Totipotent Signup and view all the answers

Which tissue type is specialized for contraction?

Muscle tissue Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes cardiac muscle tissue from skeletal muscle tissue?

It has intercalated discs. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of muscle tissue is found in the walls of blood vessels?

Smooth muscle Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a type of primary tissue in the body?

Neural tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of glial cells in nervous tissue?

Support and protect neurons Signup and view all the answers

Skeletal muscle fibers are characterized by their:

Striated appearance Signup and view all the answers

Adult stem cells are considered multipotent because they can:

Differentiate into several related cell types Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of microtubules in the cytoskeleton?

Maintenance of cell shape and movements Signup and view all the answers

Which function is specifically associated with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

Synthesis of fatty acids and steroids Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the Golgi complex?

Processing and packaging proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of lysosomes within a cell?

Digestion of cellular waste materials Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organelles is primarily responsible for ATP synthesis?

Mitochondria Signup and view all the answers

What enzyme activity is associated with peroxisomes?

Oxidation of amino acids Signup and view all the answers

What component of the cytoskeleton is responsible for the growth of the mitotic spindle during cell division?

Microtubules Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is primarily involved in degrading damaged proteins?

Proteasome Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Levels of Functional Organization

Living beings are organized from basic elements to complex levels
Cellular level: Cells combine to form tissues
Tissue level: Tissues combine to form organs
Organ level: Organs combine to form systems
System level: Systems combine to form an organism
Systems vs. apparatus: Systems come from different embryological tissues; apparatuses come from the same embryological tissues

Chemical Components of Life

Atoms are the smallest particles with unique chemical identity
Molecules are composed of atoms, forming organelles and cellular components
Water is the most abundant component of life (approx. 60%)

Macromolecules

Carbohydrates: Provide energy and are components of glycoproteins, nucleic acids, and plasma membranes. Monomers like glucose, fructose, and galactose combine to form complex carbohydrates.
Lipids: Nonpolar molecules, insoluble in water, forming barriers (membranes). Types include phospholipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, and hormones (e.g., steroid hormones, prostaglandins) with roles in energy storage and chemical signaling.
Proteins: Polymers of amino acids formed in ribosomes. They have structural (e.g., microtubules, collagen) and functional (e.g., enzymes, globins) roles. Hemoglobin is an example of a protein with a quaternary structure.
Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA hold genetic information; each made of nitrogenous bases (A, G, T, C, U), phosphate, and a sugar (ribose or deoxyribose). DNA stays in the nucleus, while RNA transfers genetic instructions for protein synthesis.

The Cell

Cells are the basic functional units of the body, with diverse shapes and functions.
Common features include a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and organelles.

Membranes

Membranes are composed of lipids (phospholipids, cholesterol) and proteins. Types include plasma membrane, nuclear membrane, ER membrane, and mitochondrion membrane

Cytoplasm

Includes organelles, cytosol, and cytoskeleton (microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules).
The cytoskeleton maintains cell shape and is involved in cell movement

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Rough ER (granular ER) has ribosomes for protein synthesis (glycoproteins and phospholipids)
Smooth ER (agranular ER) synthesizes lipids and steroids, detoxifies drugs, and regulates calcium levels.

Golgi Complex

Stacks of flattened sacs that receive proteins from ER
Packages and modifies proteins for secretion or use within the cell

Lysosomes

Filled with digestive enzymes
Fuse with vacuoles (endosomes, vesicles) to digest bacteria, debris, or damaged organelles

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the "powerhouses" of the cell
Extract energy from organic molecules and transfer it to ATP
Have a double membrane.

Ribosomes

Synthesize proteins, using instructions from RNA.

Peroxisomes

Vesicles that contain oxidases and catalases
Involved in oxidation of amino acids and fatty acids, detoxification, and producing hydrogen peroxide.

Proteasome

Degrades damaged proteins by cutting them into small peptides

Cellular Differentiation

Cells change structurally and functionally to form tissues and organs during development

Stem Cells

Zygotes are totipotent
Adult stem cells are multipotent and can differentiate into several related cell types. Examples include bone marrow stem cells.

Primary Tissues

Muscle tissue (skeletal, cardiac, smooth)
Nervous tissue (neurons and glial cells)
Epithelial tissue (covers surfaces and forms glands)
Connective tissue (supports and connects other tissues)

Blood

Fluid connective tissue
Contains plasma (liquid portion), formed elements (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets).

Organs

Composed of two or more tissues working together for a specific function.

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Description

This quiz explores the various levels of functional organization in living beings, including the cellular, tissue, organ, and system levels. It also covers the chemical components of life and introduces macromolecules such as carbohydrates and lipids. Test your understanding of how these components interact to sustain life.