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, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.
• Prokaryotic Cells: Lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; smaller and simpler (e.g., bacteria).
• Eukaryotic Cells: Contain a nucleus and organelles; larger and more complex (e.g., plant and animal cells).
• Organelles:
  • Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
  • Mitochondria: Energy production (ATP).
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Rough ER (protein synthesis) and Smooth ER (lipid synthesis).
  • Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.

Genetics

• DNA Structure: Double helix formed by nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
• Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a protein.
• Alleles: Different forms of a gene.
• Homozygous vs. Heterozygous: Homozygous has identical alleles; heterozygous has different alleles.
• Mendelian Inheritance: Traits are inherited according to dominant and recessive patterns.

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 through evolutionary processes.
• Common Descent: All living organisms share a common ancestor.

Ecology

• Ecosystems: Communities of living organisms interacting with their environment.
• Biomes: Large ecological areas on the Earth's surface (e.g., forests, deserts).
• Food Chains/Webs: Represent the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem.
• Biogeochemical Cycles: Movement of elements and compounds through biological and geological processes (e.g., carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle).

Human Biology

• Organ Systems:
  • Circulatory System: Transports blood and nutrients.
  • Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
  • Digestive System: Breaks down food for nutrient absorption.
  • Nervous System: Controls and coordinates body functions through signals.

Plant Biology

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

Microbiology

• Bacteria: Prokaryotic organisms that can be beneficial or pathogenic.
• Viruses: Non-cellular entities that require a host to replicate.
• Fungi: Eukaryotic organisms that decompose organic material; can be single-celled (yeasts) or multicellular (molds).

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules:
  • Carbohydrates: Energy storage and structural functions (sugars and starches).
  • Proteins: Made of amino acids; functions include enzymes, structural roles, and signaling.
  • Lipids: Fats and oils for energy storage, insulation, and membranes.
  • Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA, involved in genetic information storage and transfer.

Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Theory describes that cells are the fundamental units of life, all organisms are made of cells, and new cells arise from pre-existing cells.
• Prokaryotic cells are simpler, lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, and are typically smaller (examples: bacteria).
• Eukaryotic cells are more complex, have a nucleus and specialized organelles enclosed within membranes, and are typically larger (examples: plants and animals).
• Organelles are specialized structures within eukaryotic cells that perform specific tasks:
  • Nucleus contains the cell's genetic material (DNA)
  • Mitochondria generates energy (ATP) for the cell
  • Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is a network of membranes:
    • Rough ER is studded with ribosomes and involved in protein synthesis
    • Smooth ER synthesizes lipids and detoxifies cells
  • Golgi Apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for delivery within the cell or to other parts of the organism

Genetics

• DNA Structure is a double helix composed of nucleotides: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine.
• Genes are specific segments of DNA that provide instructions for building proteins.
• Alleles are different versions of a gene.
• Homozygous individuals have two identical alleles for a trait, while heterozygous individuals have two different alleles for a trait.
• Mendelian Inheritance describes how traits are passed from parents to offspring based on dominant and recessive allele interactions.

Evolution

• Natural Selection is a fundamental evolutionary process where organisms with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
• Speciation is the process of forming new and distinct species over time through evolution.
• Common Descent is the concept that all living organisms share a common ancestor.

Ecology

• Ecosystems are complex communities of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.
• Biomes are large-scale ecosystems characterized by distinctive climates and plant and animal communities (examples: forests, deserts).
• Food Chains/Webs illustrate the flow of energy and nutrients through ecosystems, showing relationships between producers, consumers, and decomposers.
• Biogeochemical Cycles describe the movement of essential elements (e.g., carbon, nitrogen) through biological and geological processes in the environment.

Human Biology

• Organ Systems are groups of organs that work together to perform essential functions in the human body:
  • Circulatory System carries blood, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body.
  • Respiratory System facilitates gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out).
  • Digestive System breaks down food into nutrients for absorption.
  • Nervous System controls and coordinates body functions through electrical signals.

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis is the process plants use to convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose) using chlorophyll.
• Plant Structures are specialized for specific tasks:
  • Roots anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
  • Stems provide support and transport nutrients throughout the plant.
  • Leaves are the primary sites of photosynthesis.

Microbiology

• Bacteria are single-celled prokaryotic organisms that can be beneficial (e.g., in digestion) or harmful (e.g., causing disease).
• Viruses are non-cellular entities that require a host cell to replicate.
• Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that decompose organic material; they can be single-celled (yeasts) or multicellular (molds).

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules are large complex molecules essential for life:
  • Carbohydrates provide energy and structural support (examples: sugars, starches).
  • Proteins are made of amino acids and have diverse functions (examples: enzymes, structural components, signaling molecules).
  • Lipids include fats and oils that store energy, provide insulation, and form cell membranes.
  • Nucleic Acids (DNA and RNA) store and transfer genetic information.

Test your knowledge on cell structure, function, and genetics with this quiz. Understand the key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, learn about organelles and their roles, and dive into the basics of DNA and genes. Perfect for biology students!