Cell Structure and Function Quiz

Cell Structure and Function

• 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 Organelles

  • Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
  • Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell; energy production.
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Rough ER (with ribosomes) for protein synthesis; Smooth ER for lipid synthesis.
  • Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
  • Lysosomes: Digestion and waste removal.
  • Cell Membrane: Semi-permeable barrier; regulates entry and exit of substances.

Genetics

• DNA Structure

  • Double helix made of nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
  • Base pairing: A-T and C-G.

• Gene Expression

  • Transcription: DNA to RNA synthesis.
  • Translation: RNA to protein synthesis.

• Mendelian Genetics

  • Laws of Segregation and Independent Assortment.
  • Dominant and recessive traits.

• Mutations

  • Changes in DNA sequence can lead to genetic diversity or disease.

Evolution

• Natural Selection

  • Mechanism of evolution; survival of the fittest.
  • Variation, competition, and reproduction influence species adaptation.

• Speciation

  • Process by which new species arise from existing ones.

• Evidence of Evolution

  • Fossil records, comparative anatomy, molecular biology, and biogeography.

Ecology

• Levels of Organization

  • Individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere.

• Biomes

  • Major ecological communities (e.g., forests, deserts, tundra).

• Ecosystem Dynamics

  • Energy flow: Producers (plants) → Consumers (herbivores, carnivores) → Decomposers.
  • Nutrient cycling: Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles.

• Population Ecology

  • Factors affecting population size: birth rates, death rates, immigration, emigration.

Human Body Systems

• Major Systems

  • Circulatory: Transports blood and nutrients.
  • Respiratory: Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
  • Digestive: Breakdown and absorption of food.
  • Nervous: Controls responses to stimuli; brain and spinal cord.
  • Musculoskeletal: Movement and support.
  • Immune: Defense against pathogens.

• Homeostasis

  • Regulation of internal conditions (temperature, pH, etc.) to maintain a stable environment.

Biotechnology

• Genetic Engineering

  • Manipulation of organisms’ genes for desired traits (e.g., CRISPR).

• Applications

  • Medicine (gene therapy, vaccines), agriculture (GMOs), environmental (bioremediation).

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis

  • Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
  • Occurs in chloroplasts; equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

• Plant Structure

  • Roots: Absorb water and nutrients.
  • Stems: Support and transport.
  • Leaves: Photosynthesis and gas exchange.

Animal Behavior

• Types of Behavior

  • Innate: Instinctual and genetically programmed.
  • Learned: Acquired through experience.

• Social Structures

  • Hierarchies, mating systems, and territoriality in animal groups.

• Survival Strategies

  • Adaptations for feeding, reproduction, and avoiding predators.

Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Theory outlines that all living organisms consist of cells, which are the fundamental units of life and originate from pre-existing cells.
• Types of Cells:
  • Prokaryotic cells are simple and lack a nucleus, with bacteria being a key example.
  • Eukaryotic cells are more complex, featuring a nucleus, including organisms like plants and animals.
• Cell Organelles play specific roles:
  • The nucleus houses genetic material (DNA).
  • Mitochondria function as the cell's powerhouse, generating energy.
  • Ribosomes are essential for synthesizing proteins.
  • The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) has Rough ER for protein and Smooth ER for lipid synthesis.
  • The Golgi Apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
  • Lysosomes are involved in digestion and waste removal.
  • The cell membrane regulates substance movement due to its semi-permeable nature.

Genetics

• DNA Structure features a double helix composed of nucleotides: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine, with specific base pairing (A-T and C-G).
• Gene Expression processes include:
  • Transcription converting DNA into RNA.
  • Translation converting RNA into proteins.
• Mendelian Genetics cover:
  • The Laws of Segregation and Independent Assortment governing trait inheritance.
  • The relationship between dominant and recessive traits.
• Mutations can introduce changes in DNA sequences, potentially leading to genetic diversity or diseases.

Evolution

• Natural Selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution focused on "survival of the fittest," where variation, competition, and reproduction drive species adaptation.
• Speciation refers to the development of new species from existing ones through evolutionary processes.
• Evidence of Evolution includes fossil records, comparative anatomy, molecular biology, and biogeographical studies.

Ecology

• Levels of Organization include individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere.
• Biomes represent major ecological communities identifiable by specific climate and collections of flora and fauna (e.g., forests, deserts, tundras).
• Ecosystem Dynamics highlight energy flow, which progresses from producers (plants) to consumers (herbivores and carnivores) and then to decomposers, as well as nutrient cycling focusing on essential elements like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
• Population Ecology examines factors that influence population size, such as birth and death rates alongside immigration and emigration.

Human Body Systems

• Major Systems include:
  • Circulatory: Transports blood and essential nutrients.
  • Respiratory: Facilitates gas exchange, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide.
  • Digestive: Responsible for food breakdown and nutrient absorption.
  • Nervous: Coordinates responses to stimuli via the brain and spinal cord.
  • Musculoskeletal: Provides movement and structural support.
  • Immune: Protects the body against pathogens.
• Homeostasis refers to the maintenance of stable internal conditions such as temperature and pH.

Biotechnology

• Genetic Engineering involves modifying the genes of organisms to achieve desirable traits, exemplified by techniques such as CRISPR.
• Applications span several fields, including:
  • Medicine: gene therapy and vaccine development.
  • Agriculture: the creation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
  • Environmental: bioremediation strategies to clean pollutants.

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis is the process through which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose. The reaction takes place in chloroplasts, summarized by the equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
• Plant Structure Components:
  • Roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
  • Stems provide structural support and transport nutrients and water.
  • Leaves are the primary sites for photosynthesis and gas exchange.

Animal Behavior

• Types of Behavior include innate behaviors which are instinctual, and learned behaviors that are developed through experience.
• Social Structures encompass hierarchies, mating systems, and territoriality observed among animal groups.
• Survival Strategies relate to various adaptations necessary for feeding, reproduction, and evasion of predators.

Test your knowledge on cell structure, function, and genetics with this quiz. Explore key concepts such as cell theory, types of cells, organelles, and DNA structure. Ideal for biology students looking to reinforce their understanding of cellular biology.