Cell Structure and Function Quiz

Cell Structure and Function

• Cells are the basic units of life, exhibiting a diverse array of structures and functions.
• Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, exemplified by bacteria.
• Eukaryotic cells, including animal and plant cells, possess a nucleus and various organelles.
• Mitochondria are responsible for energy production, while the endoplasmic reticulum plays roles in protein synthesis and lipid metabolism.
• The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
• The nucleus houses the cell's genetic material (DNA), controlling cellular activities.
• The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier, regulating substance passage.
• The cytoskeleton provides structural support and facilitates intracellular transport.
• Specialized cells perform specific functions, contributing to the organism's overall physiology.

Biological Molecules

• Four major classes of biological molecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
• Carbohydrates, primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serve as a source of energy.
• Lipids, including fats and oils, are important for energy storage, insulation, and structuring cell membranes.
• Proteins are essential for catalysis (enzymes), transport, and structural support; amino acids are their building blocks, linked by peptide bonds.
• Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) store and transmit genetic information. DNA carries the genetic blueprint, while RNA plays a role in protein synthesis.
• The molecular structure directly dictates function.

Cell Metabolism

• Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions in an organism.
• Catabolism breaks down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.
• Anabolism synthesizes complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy.
• Cellular respiration is a fundamental catabolic process that breaks down glucose to produce ATP, the cell's primary energy currency.
• Photosynthesis is a plant anabolic process converting light energy to chemical energy in glucose.
• Enzymes are biological catalysts, accelerating reactions without being consumed.
• Factors like temperature and pH influence enzyme activity.

Genetics

• Genetics studies heredity and variation in living organisms.
• DNA is the hereditary material directing organism structure and function.
• Genes are specific DNA segments that code for traits.
• Chromosomes organize DNA.
• Mitosis creates two identical daughter cells, essential for growth and repair.
• Meiosis produces four non-identical daughter cells, crucial for sexual reproduction.
• Gene expression involves transferring information from DNA to RNA to protein.
• Mutations can alter genetic information and cause variations.

Evolution

• Evolution is the process of heritable changes in biological populations over generations.
• Natural selection favors traits enhancing survival and reproduction.
• Populations evolve, not individuals.
• Adaptation is the process of adjusting to new environments.
• Evidence for evolution includes paleontology, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology.
• Common ancestry links different species.
• Speciation forms new species.

Ecology

• Ecology studies relationships between organisms and their environment.
• Ecosystems encompass interacting organisms and their physical environment.
• Energy flows through ecosystems in food chains and webs.
• Nutrient cycles are crucial for ecosystem function.
• Biomes are large-scale ecological communities with specific climates.
• Species interactions (competition, predation) shape ecological communities.
• Human activities significantly impact ecosystems.

Organismal Biology

• Organisms exhibit diverse structures and functions.
• Animal physiology explains body processes and mechanisms.
• Plant anatomy and physiology describe structures and environmental functions.

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth.
• Biodiversity includes genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
• Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem stability and human well-being.
• Habitat loss, pollution, and climate change threaten biodiversity.

Biochemistry

• Biochemistry studies chemical processes within and relating to living organisms.
• It focuses on cellular molecules and metabolic pathways.
• Biochemistry incorporates genetics, molecular biology, and cellular biology.
• It examines biomolecule structure and function.