Cell Biology and Genetics Overview

All living organisms are composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and are smaller and simpler, while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, are larger, and are more complex.

Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis within the cell.

<p>Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Law of Segregation states that alleles for a trait separate during gamete formation, ensuring that offspring receive one allele from each parent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Homeostasis is the maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes, crucial for the proper functioning of organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Chlorophyll absorbs light energy and converts it into chemical energy for the process of photosynthesis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass, while a food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The main topics in the textbook are aligned to the syllabus topics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The cloud section contains fun facts that enhance understanding and engagement with the content on that page.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Biodiversity enhances ecosystem resilience by providing a wider variety of species that can adapt to changes and maintain ecosystem balance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>'Living together' refers to the interactions and relationships among species in an ecosystem, such as competition, predation, and symbiosis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The section includes questions that assess comprehension of the main topics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The glossary provides definitions of words that are not explained in the main content.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Genetic drift and mutation are two key factors that can influence genetic diversity in populations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Biomes differ significantly in climate, affecting their biodiversity; for example, tropical rainforests have high biodiversity due to warm, moist conditions, whereas deserts have low biodiversity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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<p>A keystone species has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem, often maintaining the structure and balance of the community.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Self-test questions help assess understanding and reinforce learning, allowing students to gauge their comprehension of the material.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Homeostasis in marine organisms involves maintaining internal stability despite changes in the external ocean environment, like salinity and temperature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, decompose organic matter, breaking it down into simpler nutrients that can be reused by plants and other organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Population genetics primarily focuses on the distribution and changes of allele frequencies within populations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Genetic variation refers to the differences in DNA sequences among individuals, which is significant for evolution and adaptation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The main components of genetic engineering include gene cloning, recombinant DNA technology, and CRISPR techniques.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Natural selection works through variations that increase survival and reproduction, resulting in the propagation of advantageous traits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Viruses can regulate population sizes, contribute to nutrient cycling, and influence genetic diversity within microbial communities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Human activities, such as habitat destruction and pollution, significantly reduce biodiversity and disrupt ecosystems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Kingdom Monera consists of prokaryotic organisms, primarily bacteria, that are unicellular and lack membrane-bound organelles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cellular differentiation leads to the specialization of cells which allows for the complexity and diversity of multicellular organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fossil evidence provides insights into the morphology and behavior of ancestral species, tracking changes in human development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>One major environmental issue in marine biology is ocean acidification, which adversely affects marine life, especially coral reefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ecosystems are specific communities of organisms interacting with their environment within larger biomes, which are defined by climate and geography.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The two mechanisms of variation in genetics are mutation and recombination during reproduction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fungi contribute to ecosystems as decomposers, breaking down organic material and recycling nutrients back into the soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A characteristic feature of chordates is the presence of a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, and pharyngeal slits at some stage of development.</p> Signup and view all the answers