Cell Structure and Function Quiz

Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Theory: All living organisms are composed of cells; cells are the basic unit of life; all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
• Prokaryotic Cells: Lack a nucleus; smaller and simpler; examples include bacteria and archaea.
• Eukaryotic Cells: Have a nucleus; larger and more complex; examples include plant, animal, and fungal cells.
• Organelles:
  • Nucleus: Contains DNA; control center.
  • Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell; energy production (ATP).
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum: Rough (with ribosomes) and smooth (no ribosomes); synthesis and transport of proteins and lipids.
  • Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.
  • Chloroplasts (in plants): Site of photosynthesis.

Genetics

• DNA Structure: Double helix made up of nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
• Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a protein.
• Alleles: Different versions of a gene; can be dominant or recessive.
• Mendelian Inheritance: Principles of segregation and independent assortment.
• Genotype vs. Phenotype: Genotype is the genetic makeup; phenotype is the observable traits.

Evolution

• Natural Selection: Mechanism of evolution; organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.
• Mutation: Changes in DNA sequences; source of genetic variation.
• Speciation: Formation of new species due to evolution.
• Common Descent: All species share a common ancestor.

Ecology

• Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.
• Biomes: Large geographic biotic communities (e.g., rainforest, desert).
• Food Chains and Webs: Energy flow from producers to consumers to decomposers.
• Population Dynamics: Factors affecting population size (birth rates, death rates, immigration, emigration).

Human Biology

• Body Systems:
  • Circulatory: Transports blood and nutrients.
  • Respiratory: Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
  • Digestive: Breaks down food for nutrient absorption.
  • Nervous: Processes information and controls responses.
  • Immune: Defends against pathogens.
• Homeostasis: Maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
• Plant Anatomy:
  • Roots: Absorb water and nutrients.
  • Stems: Support and transport nutrients and water.
  • Leaves: Main site of photosynthesis.
• Reproduction: Asexual (cuttings, runners) and sexual (flowers, seeds).

Microbiology

• Bacteria: Single-celled organisms; can be beneficial (gut flora) or pathogenic.
• Viruses: Acellular entities that require a host to replicate.
• Fungi: Decomposers; can be unicellular (yeasts) or multicellular (molds, mushrooms).

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules:
  • Carbohydrates: Energy source; structure (cellulose in plants).
  • Proteins: Made of amino acids; perform diverse functions (enzymes, structure, signaling).
  • Lipids: Fats and oils; energy storage; cell membranes.
  • Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA; genetic information storage and transfer.

Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Theory: Foundation of biology stating all living organisms consist of cells, which are the fundamental unit of life, arising only from existing cells.
• Prokaryotic Cells: Characterized by the absence of a nucleus, these smaller, simpler cells include bacteria and archaea.
• Eukaryotic Cells: Defined by the presence of a nucleus, these larger and more complex cells encompass plant, animal, and fungal cells.
• Organelles:
  • Nucleus: Serves as the control center of the cell housing DNA.
  • Mitochondria: Often referred to as the powerhouse, responsible for energy production through ATP synthesis.
  • Ribosomes: Sites of protein synthesis, crucial for cellular function.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum: Divided into rough (with ribosomes, synthesizes proteins) and smooth (no ribosomes, synthesizes and transports lipids).
  • Golgi Apparatus: Functions in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for distribution.
  • Chloroplasts: Found in plants, responsible for conducting photosynthesis.

Genetics

• DNA Structure: Composed of a double helix formed by nucleotides: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.
• Gene: A specific DNA segment that encodes a particular protein.
• Alleles: Variants of a gene, which can be classified as dominant or recessive in their expression.
• Mendelian Inheritance: Governs genetic inheritance through the principles of segregation and independent assortment.
• Genotype vs. Phenotype: Genotype represents genetic makeup, while phenotype refers to the observable physical traits resultant from the genotype.

Evolution

• Natural Selection: The evolutionary mechanism where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
• Mutation: Refers to alterations in DNA sequences, providing a source for genetic diversity.
• Speciation: The process through which new species emerge as a result of evolutionary changes.
• Common Descent: The concept that all species derive from a shared ancestor, illustrating the interconnectedness of life.

Ecology

• Ecosystem: Comprises interacting living organisms and their surrounding physical environment.
• Biomes: Large-scale ecological zones characterized by distinct climatic and geographic features, such as rainforests and deserts.
• Food Chains and Webs: Illustrate energy transfer from producers (like plants) to consumers (herbivores and carnivores) and decomposers.
• Population Dynamics: The study of factors influencing population size, including birth and death rates, immigration, and emigration.

Human Biology

• Body Systems:
  • Circulatory System: Responsible for the transport of blood and nutrients throughout the body.
  • Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide.
  • Digestive System: Breaks down food for nutrient absorption, essential for energy and growth.
  • Nervous System: Processes sensory information, coordinating body responses.
  • Immune System: Protects the body against infectious agents and pathogens.
• Homeostasis: Refers to the process of maintaining a stable internal environment, critical for overall health.

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis: The method by which plants transform light energy into chemical energy stored as glucose.
• Plant Anatomy:
  • Roots: Function in water and nutrient absorption.
  • Stems: Provide structural support and transport nutrients and water.
  • Leaves: The primary site for photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy.
• Reproduction: Can occur through asexual means (e.g., cuttings, runners) or sexual means (e.g., flowers and seeds).

Microbiology

• Bacteria: Microscopic single-celled organisms, some beneficial (e.g., in gut flora) and others pathogenic.
• Viruses: Non-cellular entities that depend on a host cell for replication, causing various diseases.
• Fungi: Comprised of unicellular (yeasts) and multicellular (molds and mushrooms) organisms, serving as decomposers in ecosystems.

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules:
  • Carbohydrates: Serve as energy sources and structural components (e.g., cellulose in plants).
  • Proteins: Composed of amino acids, they play diverse roles such as enzymes, structural components, and signaling molecules.
  • Lipids: Include fats and oils, involved in energy storage and formation of cell membranes.
  • Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA, crucial for the storage and transfer of genetic information.

Test your knowledge on cell theory, the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and the functions of various organelles. This quiz will also cover the basics of genetics, including DNA structure and gene functionality.