GENE REGULATION
What is gene expression?
Process of making proteins from DNA information
What is the purpose of ATP?
Energy for cellular processes
What is the purpose of photosynthesis?
To make glucose
What does the ribosome do?
Makes proteins
What is natural selection?
Survival of organisms with advantageous traits
Where does transcription occur in prokaryotes vs eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes: cytoplasm; Eukaryotes: nucleus
Where does glycolysis occur and what is produced?
Cytoplasm; produces pyruvate + ATP + NADH
Where do light reactions occur?
Thylakoid membrane
What is the function of the mitochondria?
Produces ATP
What is fitness?
Ability to survive and reproduce
What is a point mutation?
A change in a single nucleotide base
What is the role of NADH in cellular respiration?
Carries electrons to the electron transport chain
What are the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis?
Inputs: CO₂, water, light; Outputs: glucose, oxygen
How are plant and animal cells different?
Plant cells have chloroplasts and cell walls; animal cells do not
Why do populations change over time?
Individuals with better traits reproduce more
A silent mutation occurs in a gene. What is the result?
No change in protein because amino acid sequence stays the same
If oxygen is not available, what happens to ATP production and why?
ATP production decreases because ETC stops and fermentation is used instead
What is the role of water in photosynthesis?
Provides electrons for light reactions and releases oxygen
What happens if the cell membrane loses selectivity?
Cell cannot regulate materials → homeostasis fails
A drought kills most light-colored insects but dark ones survive. What happens next?
Dark allele frequency increases over generations
Explain how a mutation in DNA can affect gene expression AND protein function.
Mutation may change promoter or coding region → affects transcription or amino acid sequence → changes protein shape/function
Explain how glucose is turned into ATP in cellular respiration.
Glycolysis breaks glucose → Krebs cycle releases electrons → NADH carries electrons → ETC creates gradient → ATP synthase makes ATP
Explain how light reactions and Calvin cycle work together.
Light reactions produce ATP/NADPH → Calvin cycle uses them to fix CO₂ into glucose
Explain how multiple organelles work together to make and export a protein.
Nucleus makes mRNA → ribosome translates → ER folds protein → vesicles transport → membrane releases it
Explain why natural selection does NOT create new traits.
It acts on existing variation; mutations create new traits