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.
• Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells:
  • Prokaryotic: No nucleus, smaller, simpler (e.g., bacteria).
  • Eukaryotic: Nucleus present, larger, complex (e.g., plant and animal cells).
• Cell Organelles:
  • Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
  • Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, produces ATP.
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):
    • Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes, synthesizes proteins.
    • Smooth ER: Synthesizes lipids, detoxifies.
  • Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
  • Lysosomes: Digests waste materials and cellular debris.

Genetics

• DNA Structure: Double helix composed of nucleotides (A, T, C, G).
• Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a protein.
• Alleles: Different versions of a gene.
• Mendelian Genetics:
  • Law of Segregation: Alleles separate during gamete formation.
  • Law of Independent Assortment: Genes for different traits segregate independently.
• Genotypes and Phenotypes:
  • Genotype: Genetic makeup (e.g., AA, Aa, aa).
  • Phenotype: Physical expression of traits.

Evolution and Natural Selection

• Theory of Evolution: Proposed by Charles Darwin; organisms change over time through descent with modification.
• Natural Selection: Mechanism of evolution; individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
• Genetic Drift: Random changes in allele frequencies in a population.
• Speciation: Formation of new and distinct species through evolution.

Ecology

• Ecosystems: Comprised of living organisms (biotic) and their physical environment (abiotic).
• Food Chains and Food Webs:
  • Producers (autotrophs): Convert sunlight into energy (e.g., plants).
  • Consumers (heterotrophs): Organisms that consume others for energy.
• Biomes: Major ecosystems classified by climate and vegetation (e.g., desert, rainforest).

Bioenergetics

• Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
  • Formula: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
• Cellular Respiration: Process of breaking down glucose for energy.
  • Formula: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP.

Human Body Systems

• Circulatory System: Transports blood, nutrients, gases, and wastes.
• Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange (O2 in, CO2 out).
• Digestive System: Breaks down food into nutrients for absorption.
• Nervous System: Coordinates body functions through electrical signals.

Classification of Living Organisms

• Taxonomic Hierarchy:
  1. Domain
  2. Kingdom
  3. Phylum
  4. Class
  5. Order
  6. Family
  7. Genus
  8. Species
• Five Kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.

Molecular Biology

• Proteins: Made of amino acids; perform a variety of functions (enzymes, structure).
• Enzymes: Biological catalysts that speed up reactions; specific to substrates.
• Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA; carry genetic information and assist in protein synthesis.

Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Theory states that all living organisms are made up of cells, the cell is the fundamental unit of life, and cells arise only from existing cells.
• Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, are generally smaller, and simpler, exemplified by bacteria.
• Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, are larger in size, and more complex, including plant and animal cells.
• The nucleus houses genetic material (DNA).
• Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
• Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis.
• The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is lined with ribosomes and primarily synthesizes proteins.
• The Smooth ER is responsible for synthesizing lipids and detoxifying harmful substances.
• The Golgi Apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion.
• Lysosomes are organelles that digest waste and cellular debris.

Genetics

• DNA has a double helix structure made of nucleotides, with adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
• A gene is a DNA segment that codes for a specific protein.
• Alleles are different variations of a gene.
• Mendelian Genetics includes the Law of Segregation where alleles separate during gamete formation and the Law of Independent Assortment where different gene traits segregate independently.
• Genotype represents the genetic constitution (e.g., AA, Aa, aa) while phenotype is the observable expression of traits.

Evolution and Natural Selection

• The Theory of Evolution, proposed by Charles Darwin, explains that organisms evolve over time through descent with modification.
• Natural Selection is the process where individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
• Genetic Drift refers to random fluctuations in allele frequencies within a population.
• Speciation is the development of new and distinct species as a result of evolutionary processes.

Ecology

• Ecosystems consist of living organisms (biotic factors) and non-living components (abiotic factors).
• Food Chains feature producers (autotrophs) that convert sunlight into energy (e.g., plants) and consumers (heterotrophs) that rely on consuming other organisms for energy.
• Biomes are large ecological areas defined by climate and vegetation types, such as deserts and rainforests.

Bioenergetics

• Photosynthesis enables plants to convert solar energy into chemical energy (glucose), with the equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
• Cellular Respiration is the process that breaks down glucose to release energy, represented by the formula: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP.

Human Body Systems

• The Circulatory System is responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, gases, and waste products throughout the body.
• The Respiratory System allows for the exchange of gases, taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.
• The Digestive System converts food into nutrients for absorption into the bloodstream.
• The Nervous System regulates and coordinates body functions through electrical signaling.

Classification of Living Organisms

• The Taxonomic Hierarchy consists of eight levels: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
• Living organisms are classified into five Kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

Molecular Biology

• Proteins, composed of amino acids, serve multiple functions such as catalyzing biochemical reactions and providing structural support.
• Enzymes act as biological catalysts that accelerate reactions, each typically specific to its substrates.
• Nucleic Acids, including DNA and RNA, are vital for storing genetic information and facilitating protein synthesis.

Explore the fundamental concepts of cell structure and function in this quiz. Learn about cell theory, the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and the roles of various organelles. Additionally, test your understanding of genetics, including DNA structure and Mendelian genetics.