Cell Biology & Genetics Quiz

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 (no nucleus, e.g., bacteria) and Eukaryotic (nucleus present, e.g., plants, animals).
Cell Organelles:
- Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
- Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, energy production.
- Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum: Rough (with ribosomes) and Smooth (no ribosomes), involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
- Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
- Lysosomes: Digestion and waste removal.

Mendelian Genetics: Study of inheritance; principles of segregation and independent assortment.
Dominant and Recessive Traits: Dominant traits mask recessive traits in phenotype expression.
Punnett Squares: Tool for predicting genetic variation in offspring.
DNA Structure: Double helix, composed of nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).

Circulatory System: Composed of heart, blood vessels, and blood; transports nutrients and oxygen.
Respiratory System: Involved in gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide) via lungs.
Digestive System: Breakdown of food into nutrients; includes mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs (liver, pancreas).
Nervous System: Central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous systems; controls body functions and responses to stimuli.

Ecosystems: Interaction between living organisms and their environment; includes biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.
Food Chain and Food Web: Energy flow through trophic levels; producers (plants), consumers (herbivores, carnivores), and decomposers.
Biogeochemical Cycles: Nutrient cycles (water, carbon, nitrogen) that circulate through ecosystems.

Natural Selection: Mechanism of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin; survival of the fittest.
Adaptation: Traits that enhance survival and reproduction in specific environments.
Speciation: Formation of new and distinct species through evolutionary processes.

Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose); occurs in chloroplasts.
Plant Structures:
- Roots: Absorb water and nutrients.
- Stems: Support and transport materials.
- Leaves: Primary site of photosynthesis.
Reproductive Structures: Flowers, seeds, and fruits facilitate reproduction.

Microorganisms: Includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa; play critical roles in ecosystems and human health.
Pathogenic Microorganisms: Cause diseases; examples include influenza virus and Streptococcus bacteria.
Beneficial Microorganisms: Used in fermentation (yeast in bread), bioremediation, and as probiotics.

Pollution: Air, water, and soil pollution from industrial and agricultural activities.
Biodiversity Loss: Extinction of species due to habitat destruction, overexploitation, and climate change.
Conservation: Efforts to protect ecosystems and restore biodiversity through sustainable practices.

All living organisms are made of cells; basic unit of life is the cell; cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus (e.g., bacteria), while Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus (e.g., plants, animals).
Nucleus houses genetic material (DNA).
Mitochondria serve as the energy-producing powerhouse of the cell.
Ribosomes are responsible for synthesizing proteins.
Endoplasmic Reticulum includes Rough (with ribosomes) for protein synthesis and Smooth (without ribosomes) for lipid synthesis.
Golgi Apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles.
Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes for waste removal and cellular digestion.

Mendelian Genetics focuses on inheritance patterns, including segregation and independent assortment.
Dominant traits overshadow recessive traits in phenotype expression.
Punnett Squares are used for predicting genetic variations in offspring.
DNA is structured as a double helix made of nucleotide bases: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.

Circulatory System includes heart, blood vessels, and blood; functions in the transport of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.
Respiratory System facilitates gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out) through the lungs.
Digestive System breaks down food into nutrients; consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs (liver, pancreas).
Nervous System comprises the Central (brain and spinal cord) and Peripheral nervous systems, regulating body functions and responses to environmental stimuli.

Ecosystems represent interactions among living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components within an environment.
Food Chains and Food Webs illustrate energy flow through trophic levels, including producers (plants), consumers (herbivores, carnivores), and decomposers.
Biogeochemical Cycles describe the movement of vital nutrients (water, carbon, nitrogen) through ecosystems.

Natural Selection, proposed by Charles Darwin, explains the evolution of species through survival of the fittest.
Adaptation refers to traits that improve an organism's chance of survival and reproduction in its environment.
Speciation involves the production of new and distinct species through evolutionary processes.

Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy (glucose) in chloroplasts.
Plant Structures:
- Roots are responsible for the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil.
- Stems provide structural support and transport materials throughout the plant.
- Leaves are the primary sites for photosynthesis.
Reproductive Structures like flowers, seeds, and fruits are essential for plant reproduction.

Microorganisms encompass bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, playing vital roles in ecology and human health.
Pathogenic Microorganisms cause diseases; examples include the influenza virus and Streptococcus bacteria.
Beneficial Microorganisms are utilized in fermentation (e.g., yeast for bread), bioremediation, and as probiotics in health.

Pollution includes air, water, and soil contamination due to industrial activities and agriculture.
Biodiversity Loss results from habitat destruction, overexploitation, and climate change leading to species extinction.
Conservation seeks to protect ecosystems and enhance biodiversity through sustainable environmental practices.