Cell Structure and Function Quiz

Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Theory

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

• Types of Cells

  • Prokaryotic
    • No nucleus, smaller, simpler (e.g., bacteria).
  • Eukaryotic
    • Nucleus present, larger, complex (e.g., plants, animals).

• Organelles

  • Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
  • Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell; ATP production.
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Synthesis and transport of proteins (rough ER) and lipids (smooth ER).
  • Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
  • Lysosomes: Digestion and waste removal.

Genetics

• DNA Structure

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

• Gene Expression

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

• Mendelian Genetics

  • Law of Segregation: Alleles separate during gamete formation.
  • Law of Independent Assortment: Genes for different traits segregate independently.

Evolution

• Natural Selection

  • Mechanism of evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

• Speciation

  • Formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Ecology

• Ecosystems

  • Composed of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.

• Food Chains and Webs

  • Producers: Autotrophs (e.g., plants).
  • Consumers: Heterotrophs (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores).
  • Decomposers: Break down organic material.

• Biogeochemical Cycles

  • Nutrient cycles (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, water) that describe the movement of elements through living and non-living parts of the environment.

Human Biology

• Organ Systems

  • Circulatory: Transports blood, nutrients, gases.
  • Respiratory: Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
  • Digestive: Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients.
  • Nervous: Processes information, controls responses.
  • Endocrine: Hormonal regulation.

• Homeostasis

  • The ability of the body to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Microbiology

• Bacteria

  • Unicellular, can be beneficial (gut flora) or pathogenic (disease-causing).

• Viruses

  • Acellular, require a host to replicate, can cause various diseases.

• Fungi

  • Diverse group, can be unicellular (yeast) or multicellular (molds, mushrooms), important decomposers.

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis

  • Process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.
  • Equation: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.

• Plant Structure

  • Roots: Absorb water and nutrients.
  • Stem: Supports plant, transports materials.
  • Leaves: Main site of photosynthesis.

Animal Behavior

• Innate Behaviors

  • Instinctive actions (e.g., reflexes, mating rituals).

• Learned Behaviors

  • Acquired through experience (e.g., problem-solving, social interactions).

• Survival Strategies

  • Mimicry: Resembling another species for protection.
  • Camouflage: Blending into the environment.

Cell Structure and Function

• All living organisms are composed of cells, which are the fundamental units of life.
• Cells arise from pre-existing cells, establishing the principle of biogenesis.
• Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and are typically smaller and simpler, represented by bacteria.
• Eukaryotic cells possess a nucleus, are larger and more complex, including plants and animals.
• Nucleus contains genetic material (DNA), essential for heredity and cellular processes.
• Mitochondria are known as the cell's powerhouse, responsible for ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production.
• Ribosomes play a critical role in protein synthesis, translating genetic information into proteins.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is divided into rough (with ribosomes for protein synthesis) and smooth (for lipid synthesis and transport).
• Golgi Apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion or use within the cell.
• Lysosomes contain enzymes for digestion and the breakdown of waste materials.

Genetics

• DNA is structured as a double helix consisting of nucleotides: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.
• Transcription is the process of converting DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA).
• Translation involves converting mRNA into proteins, essential for cellular functions.
• The Law of Segregation states that alleles separate during gamete formation, ensuring genetic diversity.
• The Law of Independent Assortment explains that genes for different traits are inherited independently of one another.

Evolution

• Natural Selection is the primary mechanism of evolution, favoring organisms well-suited to their environments, enhancing survival and reproduction.
• Speciation is the process by which new and distinct species develop over time through evolutionary processes.

Ecology

• Ecosystems consist of both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) elements interacting within a shared environment.
• Food Chains illustrate the flow of energy and nutrients from producers (autotrophs) to consumers (heterotrophs) and decomposers.
• Producers like plants initiate the food chain by converting sunlight into food through photosynthesis.
• Consumers include herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, all playing vital roles in food webs.
• Decomposers, such as fungi and bacteria, recycle nutrients by breaking down organic materials.
• Biogeochemical cycles describe the movement of elements like carbon, nitrogen, and water through both living organisms and the environment.

Human Biology

• The Circulatory System is responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, and gases throughout the body.
• The Respiratory System facilitates the exchange of gases, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• The Digestive System breaks down food and absorbs vital nutrients for energy.
• The Nervous System processes information from the environment and controls physiological responses.
• The Endocrine System regulates bodily functions through hormone secretion.
• Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.

Microbiology

• Bacteria are unicellular organisms that can have beneficial roles, such as gut flora, or pathogenic roles causing diseases.
• Viruses are acellular entities that require a host for replication and can lead to various illnesses.
• Fungi consist of a diverse group of organisms, ranging from unicellular yeasts to multicellular molds and mushrooms, playing a key role in decomposition.

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis is the process by which chlorophyll-containing plants convert sunlight into food, represented by the equation: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
• Roots function to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
• Stems provide structural support and transport materials between roots and leaves.
• Leaves are the primary sites for photosynthesis within plants.

Animal Behavior

• Innate behaviors are instinctive actions such as reflexes and mating rituals, essential for species survival.
• Learned behaviors are acquired through experiences, including problem-solving and social interactions.
• Survival strategies like mimicry and camouflage enhance an organism's ability to avoid predators and thrive in their environment.

Test your knowledge on cell structure and function, including key concepts such as the cell theory, types of cells, and organelles. Additionally, explore basic genetics topics such as DNA structure and gene expression through transcription and translation.