Cell Biology and Genetics Quiz

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.
• Types of Cells:
  • Prokaryotic (bacteria, archaea)
  • Eukaryotic (plants, animals, fungi, protists)
• Organelles:
  • Nucleus: contains genetic material
  • Mitochondria: powerhouses of the cell
  • Chloroplasts: site of photosynthesis in plant cells
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum: protein and lipid synthesis
  • Golgi apparatus: modification and packaging of proteins

Genetics

• DNA Structure: Double helix composed of nucleotides (A, T, C, G).
• Gene Expression: Process from DNA to RNA (transcription) to protein (translation).
• Mendelian Genetics:
  • Law of Segregation: alleles segregate during gamete formation.
  • Law of Independent Assortment: genes for different traits assort independently.
• Punnett Squares: Used to predict genetic variations from crosses.

Evolution

• Natural Selection: Mechanism of evolution; survival of the fittest.
• Speciation: Process by which new species arise (allopatric, sympatric).
• Evidence of Evolution:
  • Fossil record
  • Homologous structures
  • Molecular biology (DNA similarities)

Ecology

• Ecosystems: Interactions between living organisms and their environment.
• Biomes: Large geographical areas with distinct climates and ecosystems (tundra, rainforest, desert).
• Food Webs: Complex feeding relationships in an ecosystem; producers, consumers, decomposers.
• Conservation Biology: Focus on preserving biodiversity and ecosystems.

Human Physiology

• Body Systems:
  • Circulatory: transports nutrients and oxygen; includes heart and blood vessels.
  • Respiratory: gas exchange; involves lungs.
  • Digestive: breaks down food; involves stomach, intestines.
  • Nervous: controls body functions; includes the brain and nerves.
• Homeostasis: Maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes.

Microbiology

• Microorganisms: Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
• Role in Disease: Pathogens can cause infections; understand antibiotics and vaccines.
• Biotechnological Applications: Use of microbes in industry (e.g., fermentation, genetic engineering).

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
• Plant Structures: Roots, stems, leaves, flowers.
• Plant Reproduction: Asexual (cuttings, tubers) and sexual (seed production).

Animal Behavior

• Types of Behavior: Innate (genetically programmed) and learned behaviors.
• Ecological significance: Understanding animal interactions within ecosystems.

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules: Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids.
• Metabolism: Chemical reactions within organisms; includes catabolism (breakdown) and anabolism (synthesis).

Biotechnology

• Applications: Genetic engineering, CRISPR, cloning, fermentation.
• Ethical Considerations: Impact on society, environment, and human health.

Cell Theory

• All living organisms are made up of cells
• The cell is the basic unit of life
• All cells come from pre-existing cells

Types of Cells

• Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms
  • Include bacteria and archaea
  • Lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles
• Eukaryotes are organisms made up of cells with a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles
  • Include plants, animals, fungi, and protists

Organelles

• Nucleus is the control center of the cell
  • Contains DNA
  • Responsible for cell division and heredity
• Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell
  • Responsible for cellular respiration, converting food into usable energy (ATP)
• Chloroplasts are found in plant cells and are responsible for photosynthesis
  • Convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose)
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is a network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis
  • Rough ER is studded with ribosomes, where protein synthesis occurs
  • Smooth ER lacks ribosomes and is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification
• Golgi Apparatus acts as a packaging and sorting center for proteins and lipids
  • Modifies and packages proteins into vesicles for transport

DNA Structure

• DNA is a double helix composed of nucleotides
• Each nucleotide contains a sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base
• Four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G)
• A pairs with T, and C pairs with G

Gene Expression

• Transcription - DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA)
  • Occurs in the nucleus
• Translation - mRNA is translated into a protein
  • Occurs in the ribosomes

Mendelian Genetics

• Law of Segregation - Alleles for a trait separate during gamete formation
  • Each gamete receives only one allele from a pair
• Law of Independent Assortment - Genes for different traits assort independently of each other
  • During gamete formation, alleles for one trait are not linked to alleles for another trait
• Punnett Squares are used to predict the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring from a cross

Natural Selection

• Mechanism of evolution
• Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce
• Over time, this can lead to changes in the population

Speciation

• Process by which new species arise
• Allopatric Speciation - New species arise when populations become geographically isolated
• Sympatric Speciation - New species arise without geographical isolation

Evidence of Evolution

• Fossil Record - Provides evidence of past life and changes over time
• Homologous Structures - Structures in different species that share a common ancestor
  • Similar structures but different functions (e.g., bat wing and human hand)
• Molecular Biology - Similarities in DNA sequences and protein structures point to common ancestry

Ecosystems

• Interactions between living organisms and their environment

Biomes

• Large geographical areas with distinct climates and ecosystems
  • Examples: Tundra, rainforest, desert

Food Webs

• Complex feeding relationships within an ecosystem
• Producers: Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis (e.g., plants)
• Consumers: Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms (e.g., animals)
• Decomposers: Organisms that break down dead organisms into simpler substances (e.g., bacteria, fungi)

Conservation Biology

• Focus on preserving biodiversity and ecosystems

Body Systems

• Circulatory System: Transports nutrients and oxygen throughout the body
  • Includes heart and blood vessels
• Respiratory System: Responsible for gas exchange
  • Involves lungs
• Digestive System: Breaks down food into nutrients
  • Involves stomach and intestines
• Nervous System: Controls body functions
  • Includes brain and nerves

Homeostasis

• Maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes
  • Achieved through feedback loops
• Examples: body temperature regulation, blood glucose regulation

Microbiology

• Microorganisms: Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa
• Pathogens: Microorganisms that can cause disease in humans
• Antibiotics: Medications used to treat bacterial infections
• Vaccines: Stimulate the immune system to protect against specific diseases

Biotechnological Applications

• Genetic Engineering: Modification of an organism's genetic makeup
  • Applications: Improving crop yields, producing insulin
• CRISPR: A gene editing tool that allows scientists to precisely target and modify specific genes
  • Applications: Correcting genetic mutations, developing new disease therapies
• Cloning: Producing genetically identical copies of an organism
  • Applications: Producing animals for research, preserving endangered species
• Fermentation: Using microbes to convert organic materials into useful products
  • Applications: Producing beer, wine, cheese, yogurt

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose)
  • Occurs in chloroplasts
• Plant Structures: Roots, stems, leaves, flowers
  • Roots: absorb water and nutrients from soil
  • Stems: provide support and transport water and nutrients
  • Leaves: site of photosynthesis
  • Flowers: involved in sexual reproduction

Plant Reproduction

• Asexual Reproduction: New plants are produced from a single parent
  • Examples: Cuttings, tubers
• Sexual Reproduction: New plants are produced from the fusion of gametes
  • Involves seed production

Animal Behavior

• Innate Behaviors: Genetically determined behaviors
  • Examples: Suckling in mammals, migration in birds
• Learned Behaviors: Behaviors acquired through experience
  • Examples: Classical conditioning, operant conditioning

Ecological Significance

• Understanding animal interactions within ecosystems
• Examples: Predator-prey relationships, competition, symbiosis

Macromolecules

• Proteins - made up of amino acids
  • Functions: enzymes, hormones, structural components
• Carbohydrates - made up of sugars
  • Functions: energy source, structural components
• Lipids - fats and oils
  • Functions: energy storage, insulation
• Nucleic Acids - DNA and RNA
  • Functions: store and transmit genetic information

Metabolism

• Catabolism: Breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones
  • Releases energy
• Anabolism: Synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones
  • Requires energy

Biotechnology

• Applications: Genetic engineering, CRISPR, cloning, fermentation
• Ethical Considerations: Impacts on society, environment, and human health
  • Concerns: safety of genetically modified organisms, potential for misuse of technology

Test your knowledge on cell biology, genetics, and evolution concepts. Explore topics like cell theory, types of cells, organelles, as well as DNA structure and Mendelian genetics. This quiz is designed to reinforce your understanding of these foundational biological subjects.