Cell Structure and Function Quiz

Cell Structure and Function

Cells: Basic unit of life; two main types - prokaryotic (bacteria) and eukaryotic (plant and animal cells).
Organelles:
- Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
- Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell; site of ATP production.
- Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):
  - Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes; protein processing.
  - Smooth ER: Lipid synthesis and detoxification.
- Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.
- Lysosomes: Digestion and waste removal.

Genetics

DNA Structure: Double helix, made up of nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
Genes: Segments of DNA that code for proteins.
Mendelian Genetics:
- Dominant and Recessive Traits: Traits expressed by dominant alleles overshadow those of recessive alleles.
- Punnett Squares: Tool for predicting genotype frequencies in a cross.

Evolution

Natural Selection: Process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
Speciation: Formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
Evidence of Evolution:
- Fossil records
- Homologous structures
- Genetic similarities

Ecology

Ecosystem: A community of living organisms and their physical environment.
Trophic Levels:
- Producers: Autotrophs (e.g., plants).
- Consumers: Heterotrophs (e.g., animals).
- Decomposers: Breakdown organic material (e.g., fungi).
Biomes: Large ecological areas with specific climates and organisms (e.g., rainforest, desert).

Human Biology

Body Systems:
- Circulatory System: Transports blood, nutrients, and waste.
- Respiratory System: Exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
- Digestive System: Breaks down food into nutrients.
- Nervous System: Controls and coordinates body functions and responses.
Immune System: Defends against pathogens; includes cells like white blood cells.

Plant Biology

Photosynthesis: Process used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
Plant Anatomy:
- Roots: Anchor plant and absorb water/nutrients.
- Stems: Support and transport materials.
- Leaves: Primary site for photosynthesis.

Microbiology

Bacteria: Single-celled organisms; diverse roles in ecosystems (decomposers, pathogens).
Viruses: Non-living entities that require host cells to replicate.
Fungi: Kingdom of multicellular or unicellular organisms that decompose organic matter.

Biochemistry

Macromolecules:
- Carbohydrates: Energy sources (sugars and starches).
- Proteins: Made of amino acids; perform various biological functions.
- Lipids: Fats and oils; energy storage and cell membrane structure.
- Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA; storage and transmission of genetic information.

Cellular Processes

Cellular Respiration: Process of converting glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.
Mitosis and Meiosis: Cell division processes; mitosis for growth/repair, meiosis for producing gametes.

Principles of Biology

Homeostasis: Maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism despite external changes.
Biological Classification: Organisms categorized into domains and kingdoms based on characteristics (e.g., domain Bacteria, domain Eukarya).

Cell Structure and Function

Cells are the fundamental building blocks of all living organisms.
Prokaryotic cells are simple and lack a nucleus, found in bacteria.
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and are found in plants and animals.
Organelles are specialized structures within a cell, each with a specific function.
The nucleus contains DNA, the genetic blueprint for the cell.
Mitochondria are responsible for energy production through cellular respiration.
Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis.
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of membranes involved in protein processing and lipid synthesis.
- Rough ER is studded with ribosomes and responsible for protein modification.
- Smooth ER lacks ribosomes and plays a role in lipid synthesis and detoxification.
The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.
Lysosomes are responsible for digestion and waste removal within the cell.

Genetics

DNA is the genetic material that carries information for an organism's traits.
DNA has a double helix structure composed of nucleotides: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.
Genes are specific segments of DNA that code for proteins, determining characteristics.
Mendelian genetics explains the inheritance of traits based on dominant and recessive alleles.
- Dominant alleles express their trait even when paired with a recessive allele.
- Recessive alleles only express their trait when paired with another recessive allele.
Punnett squares are used to predict the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring in a cross.

Evolution

Natural selection is a key driving force of evolution, favoring organisms better adapted to their environment.
Speciation is the process by which new species arise from existing ones through evolutionary changes.
Fossil records, homologous structures, and genetic similarities provide evidence for evolution.

Ecology

An ecosystem encompasses all living organisms (biotic factors) and their physical environment (abiotic factors) within a specified area.
Trophic levels represent the different feeding levels in an ecosystem.
- Producers, such as plants, are autotrophs that make their own food.
- Consumers, such as animals, are heterotrophs that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
- Decomposers, such as fungi, break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients.
Biomes are large-scale ecosystems characterized by specific climates and dominant plant and animal life.

Human Biology

The human body is composed of multiple interconnected systems that work together to maintain life.
- The circulatory system transports blood, nutrients, and waste throughout the body.
- The respiratory system facilitates gas exchange, taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.
- The digestive system breaks down food into nutrients for absorption.
- The nervous system controls and coordinates bodily functions and responses.
- The immune system protects the body against pathogens, employing cells like white blood cells.

Plant Biology

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
Plant anatomy includes specialized structures for specific functions.
- Roots anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients.
- Stems provide support and transport materials throughout the plant.
- Leaves are the primary sites of photosynthesis, capturing light energy.

Microbiology

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that play diverse roles in ecosystems, including decomposition and causing diseases.
Viruses are non-living entities that require host cells to replicate.
Fungi are a kingdom of organisms that include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms, with a significant role in decomposition.

Biochemistry

Macromolecules are large complex molecules essential for life.
- Carbohydrates are energy sources, including sugars and starches.
- Proteins are made of amino acids and perform various functions such as enzymes, structure, and transport.
- Lipids are fats and oils that serve as energy storage and structural components of cell membranes.
- Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, store and transmit genetic information.

Cellular Processes

Cellular respiration is the metabolic process that converts glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP).
Mitosis is a cell division process that produces two identical daughter cells, crucial for growth and repair.
Meiosis is a cell division process that produces four genetically diverse daughter cells, essential for sexual reproduction.

Principles of Biology

Homeostasis is the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.
Biological classification categorizes organisms into domain and kingdoms based on shared characteristics. Examples include Domain Bacteria, Domain Eukarya.