80 Questions
What is the primary characteristic of cells that allows them to adapt to changes in their environment?
Dynamic behavior
What percentage of the human genome is essential for cell survival?
9.2%
What is the term used to describe a cell's ability to maintain performance and function in the face of internal and external perturbations?
Robustness
What is the estimated percentage of metabolic reactions in bacteria and yeast that can be individually removed without impacting the function of the cell?
40%
How many genes are essential for cell proliferation and survival in human cells, according to a recent study?
1,878
What is the main reason why not all genes are required at the same time in cells?
Genes are specialized and only function in specific environments
What is the optimal temperature at which most enzymes work?
37 degrees
What is the main function of heat shock proteins?
To help proteins fold properly
Which of the following is an adaptation of Geogemma barossii to high temperatures?
Supercoiling DNA
What is the function of the carbohydrate region of glycoproteins in the plasma membrane?
To stabilise the protein structure in the extracellular environment
What is the minimum temperature at which Planococcus halocryophilus can grow?
Minus 15 degrees
What is the primary reason for general hypoxia in cells?
Distance from blood vessels
What is the primary function of autophagy in response to stress?
To allow cells to survive by providing nutrients for survival
What is the role of superoxide dismutases in antioxidant defenses?
To convert highly reactive superoxide free radicals to less reactive hydrogen peroxide
What is the consequence of damaged DNA if not repaired?
Mutations and uncontrolled cell growth
What is the primary electron acceptor in the electron transport chain?
Oxygen
What is the primary function of the proteasome in the cell?
To degrade unwanted or damaged proteins
What is the definition of quiescence in cellular biology?
A state of reversible cell cycle arrest
What is the primary function of heat shock proteins in cells?
To help proteins fold properly so that they can function correctly
What is the purpose of glycoproteins and glycolipids in the plasma membrane?
To stabilise protein structure and offer protection from the environment
Which of the following adaptations allows Geogemma barossii to thrive in high-temperature hydrothermal vents?
All of the above
What is the estimated amount of biomass in life in deep earth?
15-23 billion tonnes of carbon
What is the primary problem that cells encounter when exposed to high temperatures?
Rigid and viscous membranes
What is the primary function of the rough ER in cells?
Carbohydrate attachment to proteins
What is the primary function of antifreeze glycoproteins in Antarctic fish?
To prevent ice crystal formation in their bodies
What is the optimal temperature range for the growth of Planococcus halocryophilus?
Minus 15 to minus 25 degrees Celsius
What is the primary response of cells to hypoxia?
Activation of transcription factors to alter gene expression
What is the primary function of autophagy in cells?
To degrade damaged or harmful cellular components
What is the role of lysosomes in autophagy?
To degrade the contents of autophagosomes
What is the function of proteasomes in cells?
To degrade damaged or unwanted proteins
What is the primary function of glutathione in cells?
To donate electrons to reactive oxygen species
What is the result of damaged DNA if not repaired?
Mutations
What is the function of superoxide dismutases?
To convert superoxide free radicals to hydrogen peroxide
What is the role of catalase in cells?
To convert hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen
What is the result of a cell losing control over its own cells?
Cancer
What is the purpose of the DNA damage response?
To repair damaged DNA
What is the relationship between cancer and aging?
Cancer is generally a disease associated with old age
What is the ultimate electron acceptor in the electron transport chain?
Oxygen
What is the result of oxidative stress in cells?
Formation of reactive oxygen species
What is the function of cells' antioxidant defenses?
To protect cells from damage
What is the primary advantage of cells being dynamic and able to adapt to changes in their environment?
It enables them to survive in a wide range of environments
What is the significance of redundancy in cells?
It makes cells more robust and fault-tolerant
What determines which genes are essential for cell survival?
The type of environment the cell is in
What is the estimated percentage of human genes that are essential for cell survival and proliferation?
9.2%
What is the term used to describe a cell's ability to maintain its performance and function in the face of internal and external perturbations?
Robustness
What is the significance of the finding that nearly all genes are essential for optimal growth in some environmental conditions?
It highlights the importance of gene expression in cellular function
What is the primary reason why most enzymes are optimised to work at 37 degrees?
This is the average temperature of the human body
Which of the following is a characteristic of psychrophiles?
Their proteins are structurally very flexible
What is the primary reason why cells encounter problems and become stressed at high temperatures?
The cell membrane becomes more fluid
What is the primary function of glycoproteins in the plasma membrane?
To stabilise the protein structure in the extracellular environment
What is the primary reason why some animals can survive freezing temperatures?
They have antifreeze glycoproteins
What is the primary reason why low oxygen levels are extremely toxic to cells?
Oxygen is essential for the synthesis of ATP
What is the primary mechanism that allows the wood frog to survive multiple freeze-thaw cycles?
Antifreeze glycoproteins and high glucose levels
What is the primary function of oxygen sensors in cells?
To detect changes in oxygen levels
What is the primary characteristic of psychrophiles?
They have proteins and metabolism optimised for cold temperatures
What is the primary function of autophagosomes in autophagy?
To sequester organelles, proteins, or portions of the cytoplasm
What is the primary benefit of cellular quiescence?
Protection against environmental stresses
What is the primary function of proteasomes in cells?
To degrade unwanted or damaged proteins
What is the primary reason that cells adapt to changes in their environment?
Cells are dynamic and are able to cope with a wide variety of environments.
What is the main function of heat shock proteins?
To help proteins fold properly so that they can function properly.
What is the estimated percentage of genes that are essential for cell survival in human cells?
Around 9.2% of the human genome is essential for cell survival.
What is the primary function of glycoproteins and glycolipids in the plasma membrane?
To stabilise the protein structure in the extracellular environment and offer protection from the environment.
What is the primary characteristic of cells that allows them to adapt to changes in their environment?
Cells are dynamic and are able to cope with a wide variety of environments.
What is the primary problem that cells encounter when exposed to high temperatures?
Proteins don't fold properly.
What is the ultimate electron acceptor in the process of producing ATP through the electron transport chain?
Oxygen
What is the consequence of damaged DNA if not repaired?
Mutations
What is the primary function of antioxidant defenses in cells?
To protect cells from oxidative stress
What is the relationship between cancer and aging?
Cancer is generally a disease associated with old age
What is the purpose of the DNA damage response?
To repair damaged DNA
What is the role of catalase in cells?
To convert hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen
What is the result of oxidative stress in cells?
Damage to cellular components
What is the primary mechanism by which cells cope with stress?
Robustness
What is the primary function of superoxide dismutases in antioxidant defenses?
To convert superoxide to hydrogen peroxide
What is the consequence of a cell losing control over its own cells?
Cancer
What is the primary role of hypoxia response genes?
To stimulate cells to proliferate and move towards the hypoxic cell
What is the main function of autophagy in response to stress?
To provide nutrients for survival through the degradation of organelles and cytoplasm
What is the primary role of glutathione in cells?
To readily donate electrons to reactive oxygen species, forming more stable molecules
What is the consequence of damaged DNA if not repaired?
Mutations will be formed
What is the primary function of the proteasome in the cell?
To degrade unwanted or damaged proteins, recycling the amino acids
What is the term used to describe a cell's ability to survive in response to multiple stresses?
Stress tolerance
Learn about the fundamental characteristics of cells, including their adaptability, compartmentalization, specialization, and robustness. Discover how cells cope with different environments and maintain their function.
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