Cell Biology and Genetics Quiz

Cell Biology

• Cell Theory: All living organisms are composed of cells; cells are the basic unit of life; all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
• Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells:
  • Prokaryotic: No nucleus, smaller, simpler (e.g., bacteria).
  • Eukaryotic: Nucleus present, larger, more complex (e.g., plants, animals).
• Cell Organelles:
  • Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
  • Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, site of ATP production.
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum: Rough (with ribosomes) and Smooth (lipid synthesis).
  • Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
  • Cell Membrane: Semi-permeable barrier controlling substance entry/exit.

Genetics

• DNA Structure: Double helix made of nucleotides (A, T, C, G).
• Gene: A segment of DNA that encodes a protein.
• Alleles: Different forms of a gene.
• Mendelian Inheritance:
  • Dominant and recessive traits.
  • Punnett squares for predicting offspring traits.
• Mutations: Changes in DNA sequence; can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful.

Evolution

• Natural Selection: Process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.
• Speciation: Formation of new and distinct species through evolution.
• Common Ancestry: All species share a common ancestor; evidenced by homologous structures and genetic similarities.

Ecology

• Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with their environment.
• Biomes: Large geographic biotic units (e.g., deserts, forests, tundras).
• Food Chains/Webs: Energy flow through trophic levels; producers, consumers, decomposers.
• Biodiversity: Variety of life in an ecosystem; essential for resilience and stability.

Human Biology

• Organ Systems:
  • Circulatory: Transports blood, nutrients, gases.
  • Respiratory: Gas exchange (O2 and CO2).
  • Digestive: Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients.
  • Nervous: Controls body functions, responds to stimuli.
  • Immune: Defends against pathogens.

Physiology

• Homeostasis: Maintenance of a stable internal environment.
• Metabolism: All chemical reactions in the body; catabolism (breakdown) and anabolism (synthesis).
• Hormones: Chemical messengers regulating physiological processes.

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules:
  • Carbohydrates: Energy source and structural components.
  • Proteins: Essential for structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.
  • Lipids: Fats and oils; important for energy storage and cell membranes.
  • Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA; genetic information storage and transmission.

Microbiology

• Bacteria: Prokaryotic microorganisms; can be beneficial (gut flora) or pathogenic.
• Viruses: Acellular entities that require a host to replicate; cause diseases.
• Fungi: Eukaryotic organisms; decomposers and can be pathogenic (e.g., yeast infections).

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy (glucose).
• Plant Structures:
  • Roots: Absorb water and nutrients.
  • Stems: Support and transport.
  • Leaves: Primary site of photosynthesis.
• Reproduction: Can be sexual (flowers, seeds) or asexual (cloning, cuttings).

Animal Behavior

• Innate Behavior: Instinctual and genetically inherited behaviors.
• Learned Behavior: Acquired through experience.
• Social Structures: Groups living together, exhibiting complex interactions (e.g., colonies, packs).

Biotechnology

• Genetic Engineering: Manipulating an organism's DNA to achieve desired traits.
• CRISPR: A tool for editing genes with precision.
• Bioremediation: Using organisms to clean up environmental contaminants.

Cell Biology

• Cell Theory: Foundation of biology stating all living organisms are made of cells, which are the basic life units, and cells arise from existing cells.
• Prokaryotic Cells: Lack a nucleus; generally smaller and simpler; examples include bacteria.
• Eukaryotic Cells: Contain a nucleus; larger and more complex; examples include plant and animal cells.
• Nucleus: Organelle housing the cell's genetic material (DNA).
• Mitochondria: Known as the powerhouse of the cell; responsible for ATP production through cellular respiration.
• Ribosomes: Essential for synthesizing proteins; can be free-floating or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Composed of rough (with ribosomes for protein synthesis) and smooth (involved in lipid synthesis) types.
• Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion or use inside the cell.
• Cell Membrane: Semi-permeable barrier regulating the entry and exit of substances.

Genetics

• DNA Structure: Comprises a double helix formed by nucleotides, which include adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
• Gene Definition: A specific sequence of DNA that encodes a functional product, typically a protein.
• Alleles: Variants of the same gene that occupy the same locus on a chromosome.
• Mendelian Inheritance: Describes how traits are inherited through dominant and recessive alleles; Punnett squares aid in predicting genetic outcomes.
• Mutations: Alterations in DNA sequences that may have beneficial, neutral, or harmful effects on an organism.

Evolution

• Natural Selection: Mechanism where organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce, leading to evolutionary change.
• Speciation: Process through which new species arise from existing ones, usually due to genetic divergence.
• Common Ancestry: Theory that all species share a common ancestor, supported by the presence of homologous structures and shared genetic material.

Ecology

• Ecosystem: Complex networks of interacting living organisms and their physical environment.
• Biomes: Large ecological areas on the Earth's surface, defined by similar climate, plants, and animals (e.g., deserts, forests).
• Food Chains/Webs: Describe the energy flow among trophic levels, including producers (e.g., plants), consumers (herbivores, carnivores), and decomposers.
• Biodiversity: The variety of life forms within an ecosystem, crucial for ecological resilience and stability.

Human Biology

• Organ Systems: Groups of organs working together; includes:
  • Circulatory System: Transports blood, nutrients, and gases.
  • Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange (O2 inhalation and CO2 exhalation).
  • Digestive System: Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.
  • Nervous System: Regulates body functions and processes stimuli.
  • Immune System: Protects the body against pathogens.

Physiology

• Homeostasis: The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.
• Metabolism: Encompasses all biochemical reactions; includes catabolism (breakdown of molecules) and anabolism (synthesis of molecules).
• Hormones: Chemical messengers that coordinate physiological processes and responses.

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules: Key biomolecules include:
  • Carbohydrates: Serve as energy sources and structural components.
  • Proteins: Vital for bodily structure, function, and regulation.
  • Lipids: Act as energy storage and form cell membranes.
  • Nucleic Acids: Comprise DNA and RNA, crucial for genetic information storage and transfer.

Microbiology

• Bacteria: Prokaryotic microorganisms that can have beneficial roles (like gut flora) or cause diseases.
• Viruses: Acellular agents that can only replicate within host cells, typically causing illnesses.
• Fungi: Eukaryotic organisms playing key roles as decomposers, some of which can cause infections (e.g., yeast infections).

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis: Process by which plants use sunlight to produce chemical energy in the form of glucose.
• Plant Structures: Key components:
  • Roots: Absorb water and essential nutrients.
  • Stems: Provide support and transport fluids.
  • Leaves: Main site for photosynthesis.
• Reproduction: Can occur via sexual methods (e.g., flowers and seeds) or asexual methods (e.g., cloning and cuttings).

Animal Behavior

• Innate Behavior: Instinctual actions that organisms are born with.
• Learned Behavior: Behaviors acquired through experience and interaction with the environment.
• Social Structures: Complex interactions and organization among groups of animals (e.g., families, colonies, packs).

Biotechnology

• Genetic Engineering: The manipulation of an organism's DNA to introduce new traits or enhance existing ones.
• CRISPR: A revolutionary gene-editing technology allowing precise alterations in DNA sequences.
• Bioremediation: Utilization of microorganisms and plants to clean up contaminated environments, restoring ecological balance.

Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of Cell Biology and Genetics. This quiz covers essential concepts such as cell theory, differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, organelles, and genetic principles including DNA structure and Mendelian inheritance. Challenge yourself with these key topics!