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.
• Prokaryotic Cells: Lack a nucleus; smaller in size; examples include bacteria and archaea.
• Eukaryotic Cells: Have a nucleus; larger and more complex; examples include plant and animal cells.
• Organelles:
  • Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
  • Mitochondria: Energy production (ATP).
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Synthesis of proteins (rough ER) and lipids (smooth ER).
  • Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.

Genetics

• DNA Structure: Double helix; composed of nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
• Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a protein.
• Chromosomes: Structures made of DNA and protein; humans have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs).
• Mendelian Genetics:
  • Law of Segregation: Alleles segregate during gamete formation.
  • Law of Independent Assortment: Genes for different traits are inherited independently.

Evolution

• Natural Selection: Mechanism of evolution; organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.
• Speciation: Process by which new species arise; can occur through allopatric or sympatric speciation.
• Fossil Record: Provides evidence for evolutionary change over time.

Ecology

• Ecosystem: A community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.
• Biomes: Large geographic biotic units characterized by climate and vegetation (e.g., deserts, forests, grasslands).
• Food Chains and Webs: Show the flow of energy and nutrients through ecosystems; producers (autotrophs) at the base, followed by consumers (heterotrophs).

Human Biology

• Organ Systems:
  • Circulatory System: Transports nutrients and oxygen; includes heart and blood vessels.
  • Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange; includes lungs and airways.
  • Digestive System: Breaks down food; includes stomach and intestines.
  • Nervous System: Controls body responses; includes brain and spinal cord.

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose); occurs in chloroplasts.
• Plant Structure:
  • Roots: Anchor plants and absorb water/minerals.
  • Stems: Support and transport nutrients.
  • Leaves: Main site of photosynthesis.

Microbiology

• Bacteria: Single-celled prokaryotes; can be beneficial (gut flora) or pathogenic.
• Viruses: Non-cellular entities; require a host to replicate; cause various diseases.
• Fungi: Eukaryotic organisms; decompose organic material; can be beneficial (yeast) or harmful (molds).

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules:
  • Carbohydrates: Energy sources; consist of sugars and starches.
  • Proteins: Made up of amino acids; perform various functions including enzymes and structural components.
  • Lipids: Fats and oils; important for cell membranes and energy storage.
  • Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA; involved in genetic information storage and transfer.

Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Theory states that all living organisms consist of cells, which are the basic unit of life, and that all cells come from existing cells.
• Prokaryotic cells are characterized by the absence of a nucleus, are generally smaller, and include organisms like bacteria and archaea.
• Eukaryotic cells possess a nucleus, are larger and more complex, including plant and animal cells.
• Organelles play crucial roles within cells:
  • The nucleus stores genetic material (DNA).
  • Mitochondria are responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP.
  • Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis.
  • The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is involved in synthesizing proteins (rough ER) and lipids (smooth ER).
  • The Golgi Apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for transport.

Genetics

• DNA is structured as a double helix, composed of nucleotides: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.
• A gene is a segment of DNA that encodes for a specific protein.
• Chromosomes are DNA and protein structures; humans have a total of 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs.
• Mendelian Genetics includes:
  • The Law of Segregation, which states that alleles separate during gamete formation.
  • The Law of Independent Assortment, which states that genes for different traits are inherited independently.

Evolution

• Natural Selection is a key mechanism of evolution, where organisms better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
• Speciation is the process through which new species form, occurring through mechanisms such as allopatric or sympatric speciation.
• The Fossil Record provides critical evidence for changes occurring in species over time.

Ecology

• An ecosystem comprises a community of living organisms and their physical environment, interacting as a cohesive system.
• Biomes are large geographic areas defined by their climate and predominant vegetation types, such as deserts, forests, and grasslands.
• Food Chains and Webs illustrate the transfer of energy and nutrients within ecosystems; producers (autotrophs) occupy the base, while consumers (heterotrophs) follow.

Human Biology

• Various organ systems function cooperatively to sustain life:
  • The Circulatory System transports nutrients and oxygen through the heart and blood vessels.
  • The Respiratory System oversees gas exchange involving lungs and airways.
  • The Digestive System is responsible for food breakdown, encompassing the stomach and intestines.
  • The Nervous System regulates body responses through structures like the brain and spinal cord.

Plant Biology

• Photosynthesis is the process where plants convert light into chemical energy (glucose), taking place in chloroplasts.
• Key plant structures include:
  • Roots, which anchor plants and absorb water and minerals.
  • Stems, which provide support and facilitate nutrient transport.
  • Leaves, which are primarily responsible for photosynthesis.

Microbiology

• Bacteria are single-celled prokaryotes; they can either be beneficial (such as gut flora) or pathogenic.
• Viruses are non-cellular entities that require a host to replicate and are responsible for various diseases.
• Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that decompose organic materials; they can be beneficial (such as yeast) or harmful (like molds).

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules include:
  • Carbohydrates, which serve as energy sources and consist of sugars and starches.
  • Proteins, constructed from amino acids, performing diverse functions including enzymatic activity and structural roles.
  • Lipids encompass fats and oils, crucial for cell membrane integrity and energy storage.
  • Nucleic Acids, including DNA and RNA, are key in storing and transferring genetic information.

Test your knowledge on cell structure and function, including the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Delve into organelles and their functions, as well as the basics of genetics such as DNA structure, genes, and chromosomes. Perfect for students studying biology.