Biology Overview and Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of mitochondria?

Digestion of old organelles

Photosynthesis

Cellular respiration (correct)

Protein synthesis

Which statement accurately describes a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles. (correct)

Prokaryotic cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus.

Eukaryotic cells are only found in bacteria.

Eukaryotic cells have circular DNA.

What is the primary role of ribosomes in the cell?

Storage of DNA

Manufacturing proteins (correct)

Photosynthesis

Transporting materials

In which cellular process is glucose produced from carbon dioxide and water?

Photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately states a principle of the Cell Theory?

All living things are made of cells. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes plant cells from animal cells?

Plant cells have a cell wall. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of lysosomes in the cell?

Digesting old organelles and unwanted materials Signup and view all the answers

Where does glycolysis occur within the cell?

In the cytoplasm Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of atomic mass?

The number of protons plus neutrons in an atom. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements describes a hydrogen bond?

A weak bond between polar molecules. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of carbohydrates in living organisms?

Short-term energy supply. Signup and view all the answers

Which test would you use to detect the presence of simple sugars like glucose?

Benedict’s Test. Signup and view all the answers

What role does calcium play in muscle contraction?

It binds to troponin, exposing myosin-binding sites on actin. Signup and view all the answers

How is facilitated diffusion different from simple diffusion?

It requires a specific carrier protein. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an ionic bond?

Chlorine gaining an electron from sodium. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes a solution?

A homogeneous mixture at the molecular level. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the six characteristics common to living organisms?

Living things can fly without energy. Signup and view all the answers

What does homeostasis primarily help organisms maintain?

Internal balance of conditions Signup and view all the answers

In the metric conversion mnemonic, what does 'K' represent?

Kilo Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a scientific theory from a scientific law?

A theory explains phenomena while a law describes them. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the independent variable in an experiment?

It is what the scientist changes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of the law of conservation of mass?

Mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. Signup and view all the answers

Which unit corresponds to 'm' in the metric system conversion?

Meter Signup and view all the answers

In a controlled experiment, what is compared between the experimental group and the control group?

The results after manipulating the independent variable Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biology Notes

Biology is the study of life, encompassing various branches like biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, evolutionary theory, microbiology, botany, and zoology.
Living organisms share six key characteristics: they are made of cells, obtain and use energy, grow and develop, reproduce, respond and adapt to their environment, and eliminate waste.
Lab equipment includes glassware like Erlenmeyer flasks, Griffin beakers, graduated cylinders and graduated pipets.
Homeostasis is critical for organisms, especially higher vertebrates, to maintain a steady and balanced internal environment, promoting optimal conditions.
Metric conversions are essential, using multiplication factors (e.g., kilometers to meters: x 1000).
A law is a widely accepted idea about a phenomenon that doesn't change, exemplified by the Law of Conservation of Mass.
A theory is a broad explanatory idea backed by numerous experiments, like Cell Theory (which can evolve with new technology). A hypothesis is a proposed testable explanation for observations.
The scientific method involves careful observation, forming a testable hypothesis, conducting experiments, and gathering results using the metric system.
Controlled experiments isolate one variable at a time to study its effect.
The independent variable is manipulated, graphed on the X-axis, while the dependent variable is measured, graphed on the Y-axis. An Experimental group is tested and compared to a Control Group which isn't changed.
Atoms are composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The atomic number is the number of protons, and atomic mass is the number of protons plus neutrons.
Chemical bonds include covalent (electrons are shared), ionic (electrons are transferred), and hydrogen bonds (weak bonds between polar molecules).
Water is a polar molecule due to the positive hydrogen and negative oxygen, leading to properties like adhesion (to surfaces) and cohesion (attraction between water molecules).
A solution is a homogeneous mixture at a molecular level; water is a common solvent, and dissolved substances are solutes.
Carbon is the base element of organic molecules. Polymers (carbohydrates: short-term energy; lipids: long-term energy; nucleic acids: genetic material; and proteins: enzymes), are made of monomers.
Amino acids contain an amino group (NH2) and a carboxyl group (COOH), with a variable side chain.
Specific chemical tests exist for different biomolecules: proteins (Biuret), complex carbohydrates (Lugol's), simple sugars (Benedict's), and lipids (Sudan III).
Transport across membranes includes passive transport (no ATP needed; includes diffusion and facilitated diffusion) and active transport (requires ATP; moves substances against their concentration gradient). Examples include the sodium-potassium pump and calcium pump in muscles.
Endocytosis and exocytosis are active transport mechanisms for bulk material movement in and out of cells
The Cell Theory states that all organisms are composed of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Cells are classified as prokaryotic (no nucleus) or eukaryotic (with a nucleus). Prokaryotic examples are bacteria; Eukaryotic examples include animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
Cell components like cytoplasm, mitochondria (cellular respiration), cell membrane (regulation), lysosomes (digestion), cell wall (protection), ribosomes (protein synthesis), chloroplasts (photosynthesis), and nucleus (DNA storage) are crucial.
Plant and animal cells differ; plant cells have chloroplasts and cell walls, while animal cells have centrioles.
Photosynthesis (reactants: CO2, H2O; products: C6H12O6, O2) takes place in chloroplasts and involves light reactions and Calvin cycle.
Cellular respiration (reactants: C6H12O6, O2; products: CO2, H2O, ATP) utilises mitochondria; ATP is produced during the electron transport chain.
Organisms that make their own food are autotrophs. Heterotrophs consume food produced by autotrophs.
The products of photosynthesis are the reactants for cellular respiration, illustrating the interconnectedness of these processes.
Anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen.
Aerobic respiration occurs with oxygen.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of biology, covering essential branches like genetics, microbiology, and botany. Understand the key characteristics of living organisms, the importance of homeostasis, and laboratory equipment used in biological studies. This quiz will help reinforce your knowledge of biological principles and metrics.