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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the digestive system?
What is the primary function of the digestive system?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three domains of life?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three domains of life?
What is the primary role of leaves in plants?
What is the primary role of leaves in plants?
Which behavior type is characterized by being inherited rather than learned?
Which behavior type is characterized by being inherited rather than learned?
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Which level is directly below the kingdom level in taxonomy?
Which level is directly below the kingdom level in taxonomy?
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What is a characteristic of prokaryotic cells?
What is a characteristic of prokaryotic cells?
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Which organelle is primarily responsible for producing ATP?
Which organelle is primarily responsible for producing ATP?
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How do homozygous alleles differ from heterozygous alleles?
How do homozygous alleles differ from heterozygous alleles?
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What is the primary function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
What is the primary function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
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Which of the following describes natural selection?
Which of the following describes natural selection?
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What defines a biome?
What defines a biome?
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Which system is chiefly responsible for gas exchange in the body?
Which system is chiefly responsible for gas exchange in the body?
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What is the significance of biodiversity in an ecosystem?
What is the significance of biodiversity in an ecosystem?
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Study Notes
Cell Biology
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Cell Theory:
- All living organisms are composed of cells.
- The cell is the basic unit of life.
- All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
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Types of Cells:
- Prokaryotic: No nucleus, smaller, unicellular (e.g., bacteria).
- Eukaryotic: Nucleus present, larger, multicellular or unicellular (e.g., plants, animals, fungi).
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Cell Organelles:
- Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
- Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell; produces ATP through respiration.
- Ribosomes: Sites of protein synthesis.
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Endoplasmic Reticulum:
- Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes; synthesizes proteins.
- Smooth ER: Synthesizes lipids and detoxifies.
- Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.
- Lysosomes: Contains digestive enzymes to break down waste.
Genetics
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DNA Structure: Double helix composed of nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
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Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a protein.
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Alleles: Different forms of a gene.
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Homozygous vs. Heterozygous:
- Homozygous: Two identical alleles.
- Heterozygous: Two different alleles.
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Mendelian inheritance:
- Law of Segregation: Alleles segregate during gamete formation.
- Law of Independent Assortment: Genes on different chromosomes assort independently.
Evolution
- Natural Selection: The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
- Speciation: The formation of new and distinct species through evolution.
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Evidence for Evolution:
- Fossil record
- Comparative anatomy
- Molecular biology
Ecology
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Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with their environment.
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Biomes: Large areas characterized by specific climate conditions (e.g., tundra, rainforest).
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Food Chain & Food Web:
- Food chain: Linear path of energy transfer (producers → consumers → decomposers).
- Food web: Complex network of feeding relationships.
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Biodiversity: Variety of life in a particular ecosystem or biome, crucial for ecosystem resilience.
Physiology
- Homeostasis: The process of maintaining a stable internal environment despite external changes.
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Major Systems:
- Nervous system: Controls body functions and responses.
- Circulatory system: Transports nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste.
- Respiratory system: Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
- Digestive system: Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.
Classification of Living Organisms
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Taxonomy Levels:
- Domain
- Kingdom
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species
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Three Domains of Life:
- Bacteria
- Archaea
- Eukarya
Plant Biology
- Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy (glucose).
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Plant Structures:
- Roots: Absorb water and nutrients.
- Stems: Support and transport materials.
- Leaves: Sites for photosynthesis.
Animal Behavior
- Instinctive Behavior: Innate behaviors that are inherited (e.g., migration).
- Learned Behavior: Acquired through experience (e.g., problem-solving).
- Social Behavior: Interactions among individuals within the same species (e.g., cooperation, competition).
Cell Theory
- All living things are made up of cells.
- The cell is the most basic unit of life.
- All cells come from pre-existing cells.
Cell Types
- Prokaryotic cells are smaller and simpler, without a nucleus. Examples: bacteria.
- Eukaryotic cells are larger and more complex, with a nucleus. Examples: plants, animals, fungi.
Cell Organelles
- Nucleus: Contains the cell's DNA, which controls the cell's activities.
- Mitochondria: "Powerhouse of the cell", generates energy (ATP) through respiration.
- Ribosomes: Make proteins.
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Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):
- Rough ER: Has ribosomes, helps make proteins.
- Smooth ER: Makes lipids (fats), and helps detoxify.
- Golgi Apparatus: Processes and packages proteins and lipids.
- Lysosomes: Contain enzymes for breaking down waste.
Genetics
- DNA is the genetic material, shaped like a double helix, made of nucleotides.
- Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein.
- Alleles: Different forms of the same gene.
- Homozygous: When an individual has two identical alleles for a trait.
- Heterozygous: When an individual has two different alleles for a trait.
Mendelian Inheritance
- Law of Segregation: When gametes (sex cells) form, alleles separate, so each gamete gets one copy of each gene.
- Law of Independent Assortment: Genes located on different chromosomes are inherited independently of each other.
Evolution
- Natural Selection: Organisms with traits that help them survive and reproduce in their environment are more likely to pass those traits on.
- Speciation: The process by which new species evolve from existing ones.
Evidence for Evolution
- Fossil Record: Shows how life forms have changed over time.
- Comparative Anatomy: Comparing the structures of different species can reveal similarities and differences, indicating evolutionary relationships.
- Molecular Biology: Comparing DNA and protein sequences can also help determine evolutionary relationships.
Ecology
- Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with their non-living environment.
- Biome: A large-scale region characterized by similar climate and specific types of life. Examples: tundra, rainforest.
Food Chains and Food Webs
- Food Chain: A linear path of energy transfer from producers (plants) to consumers (animals) and finally to decomposers (organisms that break down dead matter).
- Food Web: A more complex network of interconnected food chains.
Biodiversity
- Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular ecosystem, essential for the health and resilience of ecosystems.
Physiology
- Homeostasis: The process by which organisms maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.
Major Systems
- Nervous System: Controls and coordinates bodily functions and responses to stimuli.
- Circulatory System: Transports nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste throughout the body.
- Respiratory System: Facilitates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- Digestive System: Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.
Classification of Living Organisms
- Taxonomy Levels: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species (from broadest to most specific).
Three Domains of Life
- Bacteria: Single-celled prokaryotes.
- Archaea: Single-celled prokaryotes, often found in extreme environments.
- Eukarya: Organisms with eukaryotic cells, including animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
Plant Biology
- Photosynthesis: The process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen.
Plant Structures
- Roots: Anchor the plant, absorb water and nutrients.
- Stems: Support the plant, transport water and nutrients.
- Leaves: The primary sites for photosynthesis.
Animal Behavior
- Instinctive Behavior: Inherited behaviors that are not learned (e.g., migration).
- Learned Behavior: Behaviors acquired through experience (e.g., problem-solving).
- Social Behavior: Interactions between individuals of the same species (e.g., cooperation, competition).
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of cell biology and genetics in this comprehensive quiz. Delve into cell theory, the types of cells, cell organelles, and the structure of DNA. Understand key concepts essential for studying the building blocks of life.
