Cell Biology, Genetics, and Evolution 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: Simple, no nucleus (e.g., bacteria).
  • Eukaryotic: Complex, with a nucleus (e.g., plants, animals).

• Cell Structures:

  • Cell membrane: Semi-permeable barrier.
  • Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
  • Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, site of ATP production.
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum: Synthesis and transport of proteins and lipids.

Genetics

• DNA Structure:

  • Double helix composed of nucleotides (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine).

• Gene Expression:

  • Transcription: DNA to mRNA.
  • Translation: mRNA to protein at ribosomes.

• Inheritance Patterns:

  • Mendelian: Dominant and recessive traits.
  • Non-Mendelian: Incomplete dominance, codominance, polygenic inheritance.

Evolution

• Natural Selection:

  • Mechanism of evolution where organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce.

• Speciation:

  • Process by which new species arise due to genetic divergence.

• Evolutionary Evidence:

  • Fossil records, comparative anatomy, molecular biology.

Ecology

• Ecosystems:

  • Community of organisms interacting with their environment.
  • Components include producers, consumers, and decomposers.

• Biogeochemical Cycles:

  • Nutrient cycles (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, water) that circulate through ecosystems.

• Ecological Levels:

  • Organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere.

Human Biology

• Organ Systems:

  • Circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, immune, and musculoskeletal systems.

• Homeostasis:

  • The maintenance of stable internal conditions (e.g., temperature, pH).

• Metabolism:

  • Anabolic (building up) and catabolic (breaking down) processes that provide energy and materials for cellular functions.

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis:

  • Conversion of light energy into chemical energy (glucose) using chlorophyll in chloroplasts.

• Plant Structures:

  • Roots: Absorb water and nutrients.
  • Stems: Support and transport.
  • Leaves: Main site of photosynthesis.

• Reproduction:

  • Sexual (involving seeds and pollination) and asexual (cloning, cuttings).

Cell Theory

• All living organisms are made up of cells.
• The cell is the fundamental unit of life.
• New cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Cell Types

• Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and are simple, such as bacteria.
• Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and are more complex, found in plants and animals.

Cell Structures

• Cell membrane: A semi-permeable barrier controlling what enters and exits the cell.
• Nucleus: The cell's control center containing DNA, the genetic material.
• Mitochondria: The cell's powerhouses, responsible for ATP production through cellular respiration.
• Ribosomes: Sites of protein synthesis.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): A network involved in the synthesis and transport of proteins and lipids.

DNA Structure

• DNA is a double helix made up of nucleotides, each consisting of a sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogenous base.
• The four nitrogenous bases are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T).

Gene Expression

• Transcription: The process of converting DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA).
• Translation: The process of using mRNA to synthesize proteins at ribosomes.

Inheritance Patterns

• Mendelian inheritance: Dominant and recessive traits follow predictable patterns.
• Non-Mendelian inheritance: Includes incomplete dominance, codominance, and polygenic inheritance, where inheritance patterns are more complex.

Natural Selection

• The primary mechanism of evolution where organisms with traits that increase their survival and reproductive success are more likely to pass those traits on to future generations.

Speciation

• The process by which new species arise through genetic divergence and isolation.

Evolutionary Evidence

• Evidence for evolution comes from fossil records, comparative anatomy (similarities and differences between organisms), and molecular biology (comparing genetic sequences).

Ecosystems

• An ecosystem is a community of organisms interacting with their physical environment.
• It includes producers (plants), consumers (animals), and decomposers (bacteria and fungi).

Biogeochemical Cycles

• Nutrient cycles, such as the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles, are essential for life.
• These cycles describe how matter moves through ecosystems.

Ecological Levels of Organization

• Ecological levels are organized as follows:
  • Organism: A single living individual.
  • Population: A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.
  • Community: A group of different populations interacting in the same area.
  • Ecosystem: A community of organisms interacting with their physical environment.
  • Biosphere: All ecosystems on Earth.

Human Biology

• Organ systems: Groups of organs working together to perform complex functions.
  • Examples include the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, immune, and musculoskeletal systems.
• Homeostasis: The maintenance of stable internal conditions, such as body temperature and pH.
• Metabolism: All the chemical reactions that occur within a living organism to sustain life.
  • Anabolic reactions build up complex molecules while catabolic reactions break them down.

Photosynthesis

• The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose) using chlorophyll in chloroplasts.

Plant Structures

• Roots: Absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
• Stems: Provide support and transport water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant.
• Leaves: The primary sites of photosynthesis.

Plant Reproduction

• Sexual reproduction: Involves seeds and pollination, resulting in genetically diverse offspring.
• Asexual reproduction: Involves cloning, cuttings, and other methods, producing genetically identical offspring.

Test your knowledge on fundamental concepts of cell biology, genetics, and evolution. This quiz covers cell theory, types of cells, DNA structure, gene expression, and inheritance patterns. Perfect for students looking to solidify their understanding of these key biological principles.