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.
Types of Cells:
- Prokaryotic: No nucleus, simpler structure (e.g., bacteria).
- Eukaryotic: Nucleus present, complex structure (e.g., plant and animal cells).
Cell Organelles:
- Nucleus: Control center, contains DNA.
- Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, site of ATP production.
- Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):
  - Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes, synthesizes proteins.
  - Smooth ER: Lipid synthesis, detoxification.
- Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.
- Chloroplasts (in plant cells): Site of photosynthesis.
- Cell Membrane: Semi-permeable barrier that controls movement of substances.

Genetics

DNA Structure: Double helix composed of nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
Chromosomes: Structures that carry genetic information; humans have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs).
Genetic Inheritance:
- Mendelian Genetics: Principles of heredity; dominant and recessive traits.
- Punnett Squares: Tool to predict genetic variations.
- Phenotype vs. Genotype: Phenotype is the observable trait; genotype is the genetic makeup.

Evolution

Theory of Evolution: Explains how species change over time through natural selection.
Natural Selection: Process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
Fossil Record: Provides evidence of historical life forms and evolutionary changes.

Ecology

Ecosystem: A community of living organisms and their environment interacting as a system.
Biomes: Large ecological areas with distinct climates and organisms (e.g., forests, deserts, grasslands).
Food Chains and Webs:
- Food Chain: Linear flow of energy (producer → consumer → decomposer).
- Food Web: Complex interconnection of food chains.
Biogeochemical Cycles: Cycles of elements (carbon, nitrogen, water) through living organisms and the environment.

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Major Systems:
- Circulatory System: Transports blood and nutrients; consists of the heart and blood vessels.
- Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange; includes lungs and airways.
- Digestive System: Breaks down food into nutrients; includes stomach and intestines.
- Nervous System: Controls body activities; includes brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Plant Biology

Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
Plant Structures:
- Roots: Anchor and absorb water and nutrients.
- Stems: Support and transport substances.
- Leaves: Primary site of photosynthesis.

Microbiology

Bacteria: Single-celled prokaryotes; can be beneficial or pathogenic.
Viruses: Non-cellular entities that require a host to replicate.
Fungi: Decomposers; can be unicellular (yeast) or multicellular (mushrooms).

Biotechnology

Genetic Engineering: Manipulation of an organism's DNA to improve or modify traits.
Cloning: Creating a genetically identical copy of an organism.
Stem Cell Research: Study of unspecialized cells that can develop into different cell types.

Cell Structure and Function

Cell Theory: Core principles that all living organisms are made of cells; cells represent the fundamental unit of life; new cells originate from existing ones.
Prokaryotic Cells: Characterized by the absence of a nucleus and simpler cellular structures, primarily represented by bacteria.
Eukaryotic Cells: Possess a defined nucleus and more complex structures; examples include plant and animal cells.
Nucleus: Acts as the control center of the cell, housing the genetic material (DNA).
Mitochondria: Known as the cell's powerhouse, these organelles play a crucial role in ATP production, the energy currency of the cell.
Ribosomes: Essential for protein synthesis; can be found free in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):
- Rough ER: Has ribosomes on its surface, focuses on synthesizing proteins.
- Smooth ER: Functions in lipid synthesis and detoxification processes.
Golgi Apparatus: Responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for delivery to their destinations.
Chloroplasts: Unique to plant cells, these organelles are the site of photosynthesis, converting sunlight into chemical energy.
Cell Membrane: A semi-permeable barrier that regulates the entry and exit of substances in and out of the cell.

Genetics

DNA Structure: Formed as a double helix, composed of nucleotide units (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine) that store genetic instructions.
Chromosomes: Structures that organize DNA; humans have a total of 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs.
Mendelian Genetics: Principles governing heredity and the inheritance of traits, distinguishing between dominant and recessive characteristics.
Punnett Squares: Graphical tools utilized to forecast genetic variations and inheritance outcomes.
Phenotype vs. Genotype: The phenotype refers to the physical expression of traits, while the genotype denotes the underlying genetic constitution.

Evolution

Theory of Evolution: Provides an explanation for the gradual change of species over time through the mechanism of natural selection.
Natural Selection: A process in which organisms that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Fossil Record: Serves as empirical evidence of historical life forms and the evolutionary transformations they underwent.

Ecology

Ecosystem: An integrated system of interacting living organisms and their physical environment.
Biomes: Distinct ecological regions characterized by specific climates and communities of flora and fauna, such as forests, deserts, and grasslands.
Food Chains and Webs:
- Food Chain: Represents the linear flow of energy through a sequence of organisms (producers, consumers, decomposers).
- Food Web: A more complex network illustrating the interrelationships and food chains within an ecosystem.
Biogeochemical Cycles: Describe the cyclical movement of essential elements (carbon, nitrogen, water) through biological and environmental systems.

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Circulatory System: Transports blood, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body; includes the heart and vascular network.
Respiratory System: Facilitates the exchange of gases; primarily involves the lungs and airways.
Digestive System: Responsible for breaking down food into absorbable nutrients; encompasses the stomach and intestines.
Nervous System: Controls and coordinates body functions; consists of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Plant Biology

Photosynthesis: The transformative process in which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, primarily producing glucose.
Plant Structures:
- Roots: Anchor plants and absorb essential water and nutrients from the soil.
- Stems: Provide support for the plant structure and facilitate the transport of nutrients and water.
- Leaves: The main sites where photosynthesis occurs, capturing sunlight for energy conversion.

Microbiology

Bacteria: Microscopic single-celled prokaryotes with diverse roles, ranging from beneficial to pathogenic.
Viruses: Non-living entities that cannot replicate independently; they rely on host cells for reproduction.
Fungi: Act as decomposers in ecosystems; can exist as unicellular organisms like yeast or multicellular forms like mushrooms.

Biotechnology

Genetic Engineering: The process of altering an organism's DNA to enhance or modify specific traits for practical applications.
Cloning: Technique used to produce a genetically identical organism to a parent organism.
Stem Cell Research: Focuses on studying undifferentiated cells capable of developing into various specialized cell types.