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Questions and Answers
What is the basic unit of life according to cell theory?
What is the basic unit of life according to cell theory?
Which type of cell contains a nucleus?
Which type of cell contains a nucleus?
What is the primary function of mitochondria in a cell?
What is the primary function of mitochondria in a cell?
Which structure in a plant cell is primarily responsible for photosynthesis?
Which structure in a plant cell is primarily responsible for photosynthesis?
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What is a segment of DNA that codes for a protein called?
What is a segment of DNA that codes for a protein called?
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Which process describes the survival and reproduction of organisms best adapted to their environment?
Which process describes the survival and reproduction of organisms best adapted to their environment?
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In an ecosystem, what term describes the community of living organisms and their physical environment?
In an ecosystem, what term describes the community of living organisms and their physical environment?
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What is the primary role of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in a cell?
What is the primary role of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in a cell?
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What is the main characteristic of a virus?
What is the main characteristic of a virus?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the body systems responsible for maintaining homeostasis?
Which of the following is NOT one of the body systems responsible for maintaining homeostasis?
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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, e.g., bacteria.
- Eukaryotic: Nucleus present, larger, e.g., plants, animals.
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Cell Structures:
- Nucleus: Contains genetic material.
- Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, energy production.
- Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):
- Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes; synthesizes proteins.
- Smooth ER: Lacks ribosomes; synthesizes lipids.
- Golgi Apparatus: Modifies and packages proteins.
- Cell Membrane: Semi-permeable barrier.
Genetics
- DNA Structure: Double helix composed of nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
- Gene: Segment of DNA that codes for a protein.
- Alleles: Different versions of a gene.
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Mendelian Inheritance:
- Dominant and recessive traits.
- Law of Segregation and Law of Independent Assortment.
Evolution
- Natural Selection: Organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
- Speciation: Formation of new and distinct species through evolution.
- Common Ancestry: All living organisms share a common ancestor.
Ecology
- Ecosystem: Community of living organisms and their physical environment.
- Biomes: Large ecological areas with distinct climate and specific flora and fauna.
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Food Chain: Hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.
- Producers → Primary consumers → Secondary consumers → Tertiary consumers.
Human Biology
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Body Systems:
- Circulatory: Transports blood and nutrients.
- Respiratory: Facilitates gas exchange (O2 and CO2).
- Digestive: Breaks down food into nutrients.
- Nervous: Controls body functions and responses.
- Immune: Defends against pathogens.
Plant Biology
- Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose) using sunlight, CO2, and water.
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Structure of Plants:
- Roots: Absorb water and nutrients.
- Stem: Supports the plant and transports materials.
- Leaves: Primary site of photosynthesis.
Microbiology
- Bacteria: Single-celled organisms; can be beneficial or pathogenic.
- Viruses: Non-cellular particles that require a host to replicate.
- Fungi: Eukaryotic organisms that decompose organic material.
Biochemistry
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Macromolecules:
- Carbohydrates: Energy source (e.g., glucose).
- Proteins: Made of amino acids; function in diverse roles (catalysts, structure, etc.).
- Lipids: Fats and oils; important for membranes and energy storage.
- Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA, vital for genetic information.
Biotechnology
- Genetic Engineering: Modification of an organism's DNA to achieve desired traits.
- CRISPR-Cas9: A tool for editing genes with precision.
Important Processes
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Cell Division:
- Mitosis: Somatic cell division leading to two identical daughter cells.
- Meiosis: Gamete formation leading to four genetically diverse cells.
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Metabolism:
- Anabolism: Building up complex molecules.
- Catabolism: Breaking down molecules to release energy.
Cell Theory and Types of Cells
- All life forms are cellular; the cell is the fundamental unit of life; cells originate from pre-existing cells.
- Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and are smaller (e.g., bacteria).
- Eukaryotic cells possess a nucleus and are larger and more complex (e.g., plants, animals).
Cell Structures and Functions
- The nucleus houses genetic material (DNA).
- Mitochondria generate cellular energy (ATP) through respiration.
- Ribosomes synthesize proteins.
- The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) processes and transports molecules: rough ER synthesizes proteins, smooth ER synthesizes lipids.
- The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
- The cell membrane regulates the passage of substances into and out of the cell.
Genetics: Inheritance and Molecular Biology
- DNA's double helix structure comprises nucleotides: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
- Genes are DNA segments coding for proteins.
- Alleles are variant forms of a gene.
- Mendelian inheritance principles include dominant/recessive traits, segregation, and independent assortment of alleles.
Evolution: Mechanisms and Patterns
- Natural selection favors organisms best adapted to their environment, enhancing survival and reproduction.
- Speciation is the evolutionary process generating new species.
- All life shares a common ancestor.
Ecology: Interactions Within Ecosystems
- An ecosystem encompasses a community and its physical environment.
- Biomes are large-scale ecosystems characterized by distinct climates and organisms.
- Food chains illustrate trophic levels: producers (plants), primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores), and tertiary consumers (top predators).
Human Biology: Major Systems
- The circulatory system transports blood, nutrients, and oxygen.
- The respiratory system facilitates gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
- The digestive system breaks down food for nutrient absorption.
- The nervous system controls bodily functions and responses.
- The immune system defends against pathogens.
Plant Biology: Photosynthesis and Structure
- Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy (glucose) using sunlight, CO2, and water.
- Plant structures include roots (water/nutrient absorption), stems (support/transport), and leaves (photosynthesis).
Microbiology: Cellular and Acellular Organisms
- Bacteria are single-celled prokaryotes, some beneficial, others pathogenic.
- Viruses are non-cellular, obligate intracellular parasites requiring a host for replication.
- Fungi are eukaryotic organisms, many are decomposers.
Biochemistry: Essential Macromolecules
- Carbohydrates serve as primary energy sources (e.g., glucose).
- Proteins, composed of amino acids, perform various functions (enzymes, structural components).
- Lipids (fats and oils) are crucial for cell membranes and energy storage.
- Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) carry genetic information.
Biotechnology: Genetic Manipulation
- Genetic engineering alters an organism's DNA for desired traits.
- CRISPR-Cas9 is a precise gene-editing technology.
Important Cellular Processes
- Mitosis is somatic cell division, producing two identical daughter cells.
- Meiosis is gamete (sex cell) formation, resulting in four genetically diverse cells.
- Metabolism encompasses anabolism (building up molecules) and catabolism (breaking down molecules).
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of cell biology and genetics in this quiz. You'll learn about cell theory, types of cells, key cell structures, and the basics of DNA and inheritance. Test your understanding of these essential biological principles!
