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 existing cells.

• Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells:

  • Prokaryotic: No nucleus, smaller, simpler (e.g., bacteria).
  • Eukaryotic: Nucleus present, larger, complex (e.g., plant/animal cells).

• Cell Organelles:

  • Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
  • Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, site of ATP production.
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum: (Rough and Smooth) protein and lipid synthesis.
  • Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
  • Lysosomes: Digestive enzymes for waste removal.

Genetics

• DNA Structure:

  • Double helix composed of nucleotides (A, T, C, G).

• Gene Expression:

  • Transcription: DNA to RNA (in nucleus).
  • Translation: RNA to protein (in cytoplasm/ribosomes).

• Mendelian Genetics:

  • Law of Segregation: Alleles separate during gamete formation.
  • Law of Independent Assortment: Genes for different traits can segregate independently.

• Inheritance Patterns:

  • Dominant vs. Recessive traits.
  • Codominance and Incomplete dominance.

Evolution

• Natural Selection:

  • Mechanism by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

• Speciation:

  • The formation of new and distinct species through evolutionary processes.

• Evidence for Evolution:

  • Fossil records, comparative anatomy, molecular biology, and embryology.

Ecology

• Ecosystem Components:

  • Biotic (living) and Abiotic (non-living) factors.

• Biomes:

  • Major ecological community types (e.g., tundra, rainforest, desert).

• Food Chains and Webs:

  • Flow of energy through trophic levels: producers > consumers > decomposers.

• Population Dynamics:

  • Factors affecting population size: birth rate, death rate, immigration, and emigration.

Human Biology

• Organ Systems:

  • Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive, Nervous, Musculoskeletal, Endocrine, Immune, Reproductive.

• Homeostasis:

  • Maintaining stable internal conditions (e.g., temperature, pH).

• Cell Division:

  • Mitosis (for growth/repair) vs. Meiosis (for gamete formation).

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis:

  • Conversion of light energy into chemical energy in chloroplasts (equation: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂).

• Plant Structures:

  • Roots (absorption), Stems (support), Leaves (photosynthesis), Flowers (reproduction).

• Plant Growth:

  • Types of growth: Primary (length) vs. Secondary (thickness).

Microbiology

• Microorganisms:

  • Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

• Role in Ecosystems:

  • Decomposition, nutrient cycling, disease, and symbiosis.

• Antibiotic Resistance:

  • Bacteria evolving mechanisms to withstand antibiotics.

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules:
  • Carbohydrates: Energy sources and structural components.
  • Proteins: Polymers of amino acids, essential for structure and function.
  • Lipids: Fats and oils, long-term energy storage and cell membrane formation.
  • Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA, molecules for genetic information.

Cell Theory

• All living things are made of cells, which are the fundamental units of life.
• New cells arise from pre-existing cells.
• Prokaryotes are simpler cells without a nucleus, like bacteria.
• Eukaryotes have a nucleus, are more complex, and include plants and animals.

Cell Organelles

• The nucleus houses DNA, the cell's genetic material.
• Mitochondria generate ATP, the cell's energy currency.
• Ribosomes synthesize proteins.
• The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is responsible for protein and lipid synthesis. The rough ER has ribosomes attached, while the smooth ER does not.
• The Golgi apparatus processes, sorts, and packages proteins.
• Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes for breaking down waste products.

DNA Structure

• DNA is a double helix structure composed of nucleotides.
• Four types of nucleotides make up DNA: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).

Gene Expression

• Transcription is the process where DNA is copied into RNA in the nucleus.
• Translation is the process where RNA is used to synthesize proteins in the cytoplasm at the ribosomes.

Mendelian Genetics

• Law of Segregation: During gamete formation, each pair of alleles separates, so each gamete receives only one allele from each pair.
• Law of Independent Assortment: Genes for different traits are inherited independently of one another during gamete formation.

Inheritance Patterns

• Dominant traits mask recessive traits.
• Codominance occurs when both alleles are expressed equally in the phenotype.
• Incomplete dominance occurs when the phenotype is a blend of the two alleles.

Natural Selection

• Organisms with traits that better suit their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
• This leads to the accumulation of beneficial traits in a population over time.

Speciation

• New species arise through evolutionary processes from a common ancestor.

Evidence for Evolution

• Fossil records document past life forms and their changes over time.
• Comparative anatomy reveals similarities in structure between species, suggesting shared ancestry.
• Molecular biology analyzes similarities in DNA and protein sequences to trace evolutionary relationships.
• Embryology shows similarities in early developmental stages of different species, indicating common evolutionary origins.

Ecosystem Components

• Biotic factors include all living organisms in an ecosystem.
• Abiotic factors are non-living components like climate, soil, and water.

Biomes

• Biomes are large ecological communities defined by their dominant plant and animal life.
• Examples include tundras, rainforests, and deserts.

Food Chains and Webs

• Energy flows through ecosystems in a hierarchical manner.
• Producers form the base, converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
• Consumers eat other organisms for energy.
• Decomposers break down dead organisms and waste, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Population Dynamics

• Population size is influenced by birth rate, death rate, immigration, and emigration.

Organ Systems

• Circulatory system transports blood throughout the body.
• Respiratory system handles gas exchange.
• Digestive system breaks down food for energy.
• Nervous system coordinates bodily functions and responses.
• Musculoskeletal system provides support, movement, and protection.
• Endocrine system produces hormones.
• Immune system defends against pathogens.
• Reproductive system allows for reproduction.

Homeostasis

• Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment, despite external changes.
• Examples include regulating body temperature, pH, and blood sugar levels.

Cell Division

• Mitosis is a type of cell division that produces two identical daughter cells for growth and repair.
• Meiosis is a type of cell division that produces four genetically unique daughter cells called gametes (sperm and egg).

Photosynthesis

• Plants convert light energy into chemical energy (sugars) in their chloroplasts.
• This process is essential for producing food and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
• The equation for photosynthesis is: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Plant Structures

• Roots anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
• Stems provide support and transport water and nutrients.
• Leaves are the primary site of photosynthesis.
• Flowers are involved in sexual reproduction.

Plant Growth

• Primary growth increases the length of the plant, while secondary growth increases its width.

Microorganisms

• Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa are microscopic organisms, some beneficial and some harmful.

Role of Microorganisms in Ecosystems

• Decomposition: Microorganisms break down dead organisms and waste, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.
• Nutrient cycling: Microorganisms play a critical role in nutrient cycles, such as carbon and nitrogen cycles.
• Disease: Some microorganisms can cause diseases.
• Symbiosis: Microorganisms can have beneficial relationships with other organisms.

Antibiotic Resistance

• Bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat.

Macromolecules

• Carbohydrates are made of sugars and are important sources of energy.
• Proteins are made of amino acids and play crucial roles in structure, function, and regulation.
• Lipids are fats and oils that provide long-term energy storage and form cell membranes.
• Nucleic Acids (DNA and RNA) are essential for storing and transmitting genetic information.

Test your knowledge of cell biology and genetics with this quiz covering cell theory, organelles, DNA structure, and Mendelian genetics. Understand the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the processes of gene expression. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of these essential biological concepts.