Cell Structure and Genetics Overview

Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Types:

  • Prokaryotic: No nucleus, smaller, simpler (e.g., bacteria)
  • Eukaryotic: Nucleus, larger, complex (e.g., plants, animals)

• Organelles:

  • Nucleus: Stores genetic information
  • Mitochondria: Powerhouse, energy production
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Protein/lipid synthesis
    • Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes
    • Smooth ER: Lipid synthesis, detoxification
  • Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins
  • Lysosomes: Digestive enzymes for waste processing
  • Chloroplasts: Photosynthesis (in plants)
  • Cell Membrane: Semi-permeable barrier, regulates transport

Genetics

• DNA Structure:

  • Double helix model, composed of nucleotides (A, T, C, G)

• Gene Expression:

  • Transcription: DNA → RNA
  • Translation: RNA → Protein

• Mendelian Genetics:

  • Principles of inheritance (dominant/recessive traits)
  • Punnett squares for predicting genotypes

Evolution

• Natural Selection:

  • Mechanism of evolution, survival of the fittest
  • Variation, competition, and adaption

• Speciation:

  • Process by which new species arise
  • Allopatric and sympatric speciation

Ecology

• Ecosystems:

  • Composed of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components
  • Energy flow: Producers → Consumers → Decomposers

• Biomes:

  • Major types: Tundra, taiga, temperate forest, desert, grassland, tropical rainforest

• Population Dynamics:

  • Factors affecting population size: Birth rate, death rate, immigration, emigration

Human Biology

• Systems of the Body:

  • Circulatory: Transports blood/nutrients
  • Respiratory: Gas exchange
  • Digestive: Nutrient absorption
  • Nervous: Coordination and response
  • Endocrine: Hormonal regulation

• Homeostasis:

  • Maintenance of stable internal environment despite external changes

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules:
  • Carbohydrates: Energy source, structural components
  • Proteins: Enzymes, structural roles, transport
  • Lipids: Energy storage, membranes
  • Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA, genetic information storage and transfer

Biotechnology

• Genetic Engineering:

  • Techniques like CRISPR for gene editing
  • Applications in medicine, agriculture

• Cloning:

  • Producing a genetically identical organism

• Bioremediation:

  • Use of organisms to clean up environmental pollutants

Cell Structure and Function

• Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and are generally smaller and simpler, exemplified by bacteria.
• Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, are larger, and are more complex, with examples including plants and animals.
• The nucleus serves as the storage site for genetic information in eukaryotic cells.
• Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for energy production through cellular respiration.
• Ribosomes play a critical role in protein synthesis, translating genetic information into proteins.
• The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is divided into two types:
  • Rough ER, which has ribosomes on its surface for protein synthesis.
  • Smooth ER, which is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification processes.
• The Golgi Apparatus is crucial for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for transport or secretion.
• Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that process waste materials and cellular debris.
• Chloroplasts, found in plant cells, are responsible for photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy.
• The cell membrane acts as a semi-permeable barrier, regulating what enters and exits the cell.

Genetics

• DNA has a double helix structure made up of nucleotide bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
• Gene expression involves two main processes:
  • Transcription, the process of converting DNA into RNA.
  • Translation, where RNA is used to synthesize proteins.
• Mendelian genetics explains inheritance patterns through dominant and recessive traits, utilizing Punnett squares to predict potential genotypes.

Evolution

• Natural selection is the driving mechanism of evolution, emphasizing variations among organisms, competition for resources, and adaptations that enhance survival.
• Speciation is the process where new species evolve, categorized into allopatric speciation (geographic separation) and sympatric speciation (occurring in the same location).

Ecology

• Ecosystems comprise biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) elements, functioning as units of life support.
• Energy flow within ecosystems follows a pathway from producers (e.g., plants) to consumers (herbivores and carnivores) and finally to decomposers (organisms that break down organic matter).
• Major biomes include tundra, taiga, temperate forests, deserts, grasslands, and tropical rainforests, each with distinct climate and ecological characteristics.
• Population dynamics are influenced by factors like birth and death rates, as well as immigration and emigration trends.

Human Biology

• The body has several systems, each with distinct functions:
  • The circulatory system is responsible for transporting blood and nutrients throughout the body.
  • The respiratory system facilitates gas exchange, primarily oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal.
  • The digestive system focuses on nutrient absorption and waste elimination.
  • The nervous system coordinates body responses to stimuli and processes sensory information.
  • The endocrine system regulates bodily functions through hormone release.
• Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Biochemistry

• Macromolecules are essential biological molecules:
  • Carbohydrates serve as energy sources and have structural functions.
  • Proteins act as enzymes, provide structural integrity, and assist in transport.
  • Lipids function primarily in energy storage and form cell membranes.
  • Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, are crucial for the storage and transfer of genetic information.

Biotechnology

• Genetic engineering involves advanced techniques like CRISPR, enabling precise gene editing with significant implications in medicine and agriculture.
• Cloning refers to the creation of genetically identical organisms, used in research and agriculture.
• Bioremediation utilizes living organisms to clean up environmental pollutants, enhancing ecosystem recovery and health.

This quiz explores the fundamentals of cell structure, including the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as well as key organelles and their functions. Additionally, it delves into the basics of genetics, covering DNA structure, gene expression, and Mendelian genetics. Test your knowledge on these essential biological concepts!