Ecosystems
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
Bonus 200 points: Draw a food chain or a food web.
A food chain shows one linear path of energy flow, while a food web shows many interconnected feeding relationships within an ecosystem.
What structure regulates what enters and leaves the cell?
Cell membrane
Which macromolecule would provide the fastest energy during intense exercise?
Carbohydrates provide quick energy because they are easily broken down into glucose.
A student predicts plants will grow taller with more sunlight. What is this type of statement called?
A hypothesis, because it is a testable explanation based on observations.
The molecule that stores and transfers energy in cells.
ATP
Which group of organisms helps return carbon to the atmosphere by breaking down dead matter?
Decomposers
Which organelle packages, modifies, and ships proteins to their final destination?
Golgi apparatus, because it sorts and sends proteins to other organelles or out of the cell.
How does active transport differ from diffusion?
It requires energy and can move against the concentration gradient
In an experiment where sunlight is changed to observe plant growth, what type of variable is sunlight?
The independent variable, because it is deliberately changed.
A type of respiration that occurs when oxygen is absent, producing less ATP.
Bonus 100 points: What are the two types of fermentation?
Fermentation
Lactic Acid & Alcoholic
What is an abiotic factor? What is a biotic factor?
Abiotic factor: A nonliving part of the environment that affects organisms.
Example: Temperature, sunlight, water, soil type
Biotic factor: A living part of the environment that affects organisms.
Example: Plants, animals, bacteria, fungi
These small, membrane-bound sacs transport proteins and other materials between organelles or to the cell membrane.
Vesicles – They act as the cell’s transport system, moving materials where they are needed.
What are the four macromolecules? Give an example of each.
Carbohydrates -- glucose, starch
Nucleic Acids - DNA, RNA
Proteins - enzymes, chicken, beef
Lipids - oils, fats, butter, phospholipids
“Leaves turned yellow after three days” is an example of what type of data?
Qualitative data, because it describes characteristics rather than numbers.
What are two differences between the light-independent and light-dependent reactions?
Location:
Light-dependent reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes.
Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) occur in the stroma.
Energy Use/Production:
Light-dependent reactions use light energy to produce ATP and NADPH.
Light-independent reactions use ATP and NADPH to fix CO₂ into glucose.
Optional Third Difference:
Light-dependent reactions release O₂ as a byproduct, while light-independent reactions do not.
Trace the correct path of energy from the Sun to a top predator.
Sun → producer → primary consumer → secondary consumer
This organelle stores water, nutrients, and waste in a cell and helps maintain turgor pressure in plant cells.
Vacuole – It acts as a storage container and helps keep plant cells firm.
Which part of a phospholipid faces water, and which avoids it?
Hydrophilic head faces water; hydrophobic tails avoid water
Why do muscle cells and nerve cells behave differently even though they contain the same DNA?
Cell differentiation causes cells to specialize by turning different genes on and off.
What is the name of the stage of cellular respiration that produces the most ATP molecules, AND is this stage anaerobic or aerobic?
BONUS 100 points: Approximately how many ATP molecules are produced during this stage?
Electron Transport Chain - aerobic -- 34
Why are there fewer organisms at the top of an energy pyramid than at the bottom?
Only about 10% of energy is passed on at each trophic level, so less energy is available to support organisms higher in the pyramid.
Why would a bursting lysosome be fatal to a cell?
Digestive enzymes would destroy the cell
What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution and why?
Water moves out of a cell because the surrounding solution has a greater solute concentration than the cell.
Write a hypothesis in the correct format. Label the independent, dependent and control variables.
Hint Format: If ...., then.....
If the amount of light a plant receives (independent variable) is increased, then the height of the plant (dependent variable) will increase, because plants use light energy for photosynthesis.
Write the correct formula for photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Light Energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
Cellular Respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy (ATP)