Biology Overview Quiz

Cell Theory: All living organisms are composed of cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Types of Cells:
- Prokaryotic: Simple structure, no nucleus, e.g., bacteria.
- Eukaryotic: Complex structure, contains a nucleus, e.g., plant and animal cells.

DNA Structure: Double helix formed by nucleotide pairs (adenine-thymine, cytosine-guanine).
Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a protein.
Mendelian Inheritance: Laws of segregation and independent assortment.
- Dominant and recessive traits.

Natural Selection: Process where organisms better adapted to the environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
Genetic Drift: Random changes in allele frequencies in a population.
Adaptation: Traits that enhance survival and reproduction in a specific environment.

Ecosystem: A community of living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
Biomes: Large ecological areas on the Earth’s surface, characterized by climate and specific communities of plants and animals (e.g., rainforest, desert).
Food Chains and Webs: Energy flow from producers to consumers and decomposers in an ecosystem.

Homeostasis: The process of maintaining a stable internal environment despite changes externally.
Organ Systems:
- Circulatory: Transports blood and nutrients.
- Respiratory: Exchanges gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
- Digestive: Breaks down food into nutrients for energy.

Bacteria: Single-celled organisms; can be beneficial (gut flora) or pathogenic (disease-causing).
Viruses: Non-cellular entities that require a host to replicate.
Fungi: Decomposers that play a crucial role in nutrient cycling.

Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy (glucose), using chlorophyll in chloroplasts.
Plant Structures:
- Roots: Absorb water and nutrients.
- Stems: Provide support and transport.
- Leaves: Main site of photosynthesis.

Animal Kingdom: Divided into vertebrates (with a backbone) and invertebrates (without a backbone).
Classification: Organisms classified by taxonomy (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species).

Macromolecules:
- Carbohydrates: Energy sources and structural components.
- Proteins: Made of amino acids; serve various functions including enzymes.
- Lipids: Fats and oils, important for cell membranes and energy storage.
- Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA, involved in genetic information storage and transfer.

Genetic Engineering: Modification of an organism’s DNA to include desired traits.
CRISPR: A tool for editing genes with precision.
Bioremediation: Using microorganisms to clean up contaminated environments.

Cell Theory states that:
- All living organisms are composed of cells.
- The cell is the basic unit of life.
- All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Prokaryotic Cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
- Examples include bacteria.
Eukaryotic Cells possess a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
- Examples include plant and animal cells.

DNA is a double helix formed by nucleotide base pairs:
- Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T)
- Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G)
Genes are segments of DNA that code for specific proteins.
Mendelian Inheritance describes the patterns of inheritance:
- Law of Segregation: During gamete formation, each parent contributes one allele for each trait.
- Law of Independent Assortment: Alleles for different traits segregate independently of each other.
Dominant Traits are expressed even when only one copy of the allele is present.
Recessive Traits are only expressed when two copies of the allele are present.

Natural Selection is a process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits.
Genetic Drift is the random change in allele frequencies within a population, often due to chance events.
Adaptation refers to traits that increase an organism's survival and reproductive success in a specific environment.

Ecosystems consist of a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.
Biomes are large-scale ecological areas characterized by specific climate and plant and animal communities.
- Examples include rainforests, deserts, and grasslands.
Food Chains and Webs depict energy flow through an ecosystem.
- Producers (plants) convert sunlight into energy.
- Consumers obtain energy by consuming producers or other consumers.
- Decomposers break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the environment.

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.
Organ Systems work together to maintain homeostasis:
- Circulatory System: Transports blood, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body.
- Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
- Digestive System: Breaks down food into nutrients.

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can be:
- Beneficial: Like gut flora, which aid in digestion.
- Pathogenic: Causing diseases.
Viruses are non-cellular entities that require a host to replicate.
Fungi are decomposers that play a crucial role in nutrient cycling.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy (glucose) using chlorophyll in chloroplasts.
Plant Structures are designed for specific functions:
- Roots: Absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
- Stems: Provide support and facilitate the transport of water and nutrients.
- Leaves: The primary site of photosynthesis.

Animal Kingdom is classified into:
- Vertebrates: Possess a backbone.
- Invertebrates: Lack a backbone.
Classification: Organisms are classified using a hierarchical system of taxonomy:
- Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Macromolecules are large organic molecules essential for life:
- Carbohydrates: Provide energy and serve as structural components.
- Proteins: Composed of amino acids and perform diverse functions, including enzymes.
- Lipids: Fats and oils that function in cell membranes and energy storage.
- Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA, responsible for genetic information storage and transfer.

Genetic Engineering: Modifies an organism's DNA to introduce desired traits.
CRISPR: A precise tool for editing genes.
Bioremediation: Uses microorganisms to clean up contaminated environments.