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Questions and Answers
Which process primarily involves the transformation of light energy into chemical energy?
Which process primarily involves the transformation of light energy into chemical energy?
What is a significant characteristic that distinguishes viruses from bacteria?
What is a significant characteristic that distinguishes viruses from bacteria?
Which term describes behaviors that are inherent and not acquired through experience?
Which term describes behaviors that are inherent and not acquired through experience?
Which of the following activities best exemplifies bioremediation?
Which of the following activities best exemplifies bioremediation?
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What is the primary function of plant roots?
What is the primary function of plant roots?
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Which statement accurately reflects a distinction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Which statement accurately reflects a distinction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
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What is the primary function of the Golgi apparatus within a cell?
What is the primary function of the Golgi apparatus within a cell?
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In Mendelian genetics, what is the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes?
In Mendelian genetics, what is the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes?
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Which characteristic is essential for natural selection to occur within a population?
Which characteristic is essential for natural selection to occur within a population?
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Which process describes the formation of new species over time?
Which process describes the formation of new species over time?
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What role do primary consumers play in an ecosystem?
What role do primary consumers play in an ecosystem?
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What is the primary function of lysosomes in cellular processes?
What is the primary function of lysosomes in cellular processes?
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What is the primary purpose of the water cycle in ecological terms?
What is the primary purpose of the water cycle in ecological terms?
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Study Notes
Cell Biology
- 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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Cell Types:
- Prokaryotic: No nucleus, smaller, simpler (e.g., bacteria).
- Eukaryotic: Nucleus present, larger, more complex (e.g., plants, animals).
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Cell Organelles:
- Nucleus: Contains DNA, controls cell activities.
- Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, produces ATP.
- Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Rough ER (with ribosomes) synthesizes proteins; Smooth ER (no ribosomes) synthesizes lipids.
- Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.
- Lysosomes: Digests waste materials and cellular debris.
Genetics
- DNA Structure: Double helix, composed of nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
- Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a protein.
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Mendelian Genetics:
- Alleles: Different forms of a gene (dominant and recessive).
- Punnett Square: A tool to predict genetic outcomes.
- Genotype vs. Phenotype: Genotype is the genetic makeup; phenotype is the physical expression.
Evolution
- Natural Selection: The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
- Speciation: The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
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Evidence of Evolution:
- Fossil records.
- Comparative anatomy (homologous and analogous structures).
- Molecular biology (DNA comparison).
Ecology
- Ecosystem: A community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.
- Biomes: Large ecological areas with distinct climates and organisms (e.g., rainforest, desert).
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Food Chains and Webs:
- Producers (plants) → Primary consumers (herbivores) → Secondary consumers (carnivores) → Tertiary consumers.
- Biogeochemical Cycles: Movement of elements and compounds through living organisms and the environment (e.g., water cycle, carbon cycle).
Human Biology
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Organ Systems:
- Circulatory: Transports blood and nutrients.
- Respiratory: Facilitates gas exchange.
- Digestive: Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients.
- Nervous: Controls body functions, processes information.
- Homeostasis: The maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes.
Microbiology
- Microorganisms: Include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
- Bacteria: Prokaryotic, can be beneficial (e.g., gut flora) or harmful (pathogens).
- Viruses: Non-living, require a host to reproduce.
- Antibiotics: Used to treat bacterial infections; ineffective against viruses.
Plant Biology
- Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
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Plant Structures:
- Roots: Absorb water and nutrients.
- Stems: Support and transport materials.
- Leaves: Site of photosynthesis.
Animal Behavior
- Innate Behavior: Instinctual, not learned (e.g., reflexes).
- Learned Behavior: Acquired through experience (e.g., conditioning).
- Social Behavior: Interactions among individuals of the same species (e.g., cooperation, competition).
Biotechnology
- Genetic Engineering: The modification of an organism's DNA to achieve desired traits.
- CRISPR: A cutting-edge technology for editing genes.
- Bioremediation: Using organisms to remove or neutralize contaminants from a polluted area.
Cell Biology
- Cell Theory states: all living organisms consist of cells, the cell is the fundamental unit of life, and new cells originate from existing cells.
- Two main cell types:
- Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, are smaller, and simpler, including bacteria.
- Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, are larger, and more complex, encompassing plants and animals.
- Key organelles include:
- Nucleus: houses DNA, regulating cellular activities.
- Mitochondria: the cell's powerhouse, generating ATP for energy.
- Ribosomes: sites of protein synthesis.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Rough ER synthesizes proteins, while Smooth ER synthesizes lipids.
- Golgi Apparatus: modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for transport.
- Lysosomes: responsible for digesting waste and cellular debris.
Genetics
- DNA has a double helix structure formed by nucleotides: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
- A Gene is a DNA segment that encodes for a specific protein.
- In Mendelian Genetics:
- Alleles represent different forms of the same gene, classified as dominant or recessive.
- Punnett Squares are tools used to predict potential genetic combinations and traits.
- Genotype refers to the genetic constitution, while phenotype describes the observable characteristics.
Evolution
- Natural Selection is the mechanism by which organisms adapted to their environment are likely to survive and reproduce, contributing to evolution.
- Speciation is the process through which new distinct species emerge over time.
- Evidence supporting evolution includes:
- Fossil records demonstrating changes over time.
- Comparative anatomy highlighting homologous (similar structures due to common ancestry) and analogous (similar functions but different ancestry) features.
- Molecular Biology, particularly DNA analysis, provides insights into evolutionary relationships.
Ecology
- An Ecosystem comprises communities of organisms interacting with their physical surroundings, functioning as a cohesive system.
- Biomes are extensive ecological regions characterized by specific climates and biological communities, such as rainforests and deserts.
- Food Chains represent the flow of energy from producers (plants) to various levels of consumers: primary (herbivores), secondary (carnivores), and tertiary consumers.
- Biogeochemical Cycles describe how elements and compounds like water and carbon circulate through biological and environmental systems.
Human Biology
- Major Organ Systems include:
- Circulatory System: responsible for blood and nutrient transport.
- Respiratory System: facilitates oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.
- Digestive System: processes food and absorbs nutrients.
- Nervous System: manages body functions and information processing.
- Homeostasis is the ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external environmental changes.
Microbiology
- Microorganisms encompass bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
- Bacteria are prokaryotes that can have beneficial roles (like gut flora) or harmful effects (pathogens).
- Viruses are non-living pathogens that depend on a host for reproduction.
- Antibiotics treat bacterial infections but are ineffective against viral infections.
Plant Biology
- Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy in the form of glucose.
- Key Plant Structures include:
- Roots: responsible for water and nutrient absorption.
- Stems: provide support and facilitate transportation of substances.
- Leaves: act as the primary site for photosynthesis.
Animal Behavior
- Innate Behavior refers to instinctual actions that do not require learning (e.g., reflex actions).
- Learned Behavior involves adaptations acquired through experiences and environmental interactions (e.g., conditioning).
- Social Behavior includes interactions among individuals of the same species, such as cooperation and competition.
Biotechnology
- Genetic Engineering involves altering an organism's DNA to express desired traits.
- CRISPR technology is a groundbreaking tool for precisely editing genes.
- Bioremediation employs organisms to eliminate or neutralize environmental pollutants.
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Description
Test your knowledge on cell theory, types of cells, and organelles, as well as the fundamentals of genetics including DNA structure and Mendelian principles. This quiz covers essential concepts and definitions that are foundational in understanding biology.
