Homeostasis
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is the self-regulating process by which and organism maintains a stable internal environment despite external changes.
What is the main purpose of mitosis?
produce two genetically identical daughter cells so organisms can grow, repair damaged tissues, and replace old cells.
What are Molecular Genetics?
Molecular genetics is the branch of biology that studies genes at the molecular level, including how DNA is structured, replicated, expressed, and passed from one generation to the next.
What is protein synthesis?
Protein synthesis is the process by which cells make proteins using instructions from DNA, carried out in two steps: transcription and translation.
What is ecology?
Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and with their environment, including living and nonliving factors.
How does the body maintain Homeostasis?
The body uses feedback mechanisms, mainly negative feedback, to detect changes and counteract them. Using Receptors, control center, and effectors.
What are the stages of mitosis in order?
Prophase, Metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
What is a gene?
A gene is a segment of DNA that contains instructions for making a specific protein or functional RNA molecule.
What happens during transcription?
During transcription, a gene’s DNA sequence is copied into mRNA inside the nucleus by the enzyme RNA polymerase.
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with abiotic factors like water, soil, and climate.
What is an example of homeostasis in humans?
Regulating body temperature.
What happens to chromosomes during metaphase?
They line up along the middle of the cell in the metaphase plate preparing to be pulled apart evenly.
What are alleles?
Alleles are different versions of the same gene, often producing variations in traits such as eye color or blood type.
What happens during translation?
Translation occurs at the ribosome, where tRNA molecules bring amino acids that match the mRNA codons, forming a growing protein chain.
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?
Biotic factors are living things (plants, animals, bacteria), while abiotic factors are nonliving elements (sunlight, temperature, water).
Why is homeostasis important for living organisms?
Homeostasis is essential because cells can only function properly within specific temperature, pH, and chemical ranges.
What is the role of spindle fibers during mitosis?
Attach to centromeres and help pull sister chromatids apart.
Why is DNA replication important in molecular genetics?
DNA replication ensures that each new cell receives an identical copy of the genetic material during cell division.
What is a codon?
A codon is a three‑base sequence on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid or a stop signal.
What is a food chain?
A food chain shows the linear flow of energy from producers to consumers to decomposers.
What is the difference between negative and positive feedback in homeostasis?
Negative feedback reverses a change to bring the system back to its set point. (ex. lowering high body temp).
Positive Feedback is a change, pushing the system further from starting state.
What is Cytokinesis?
Division of the cytoplasm, creating two separate daughter cells after mitosis finishes.
What is a mutation in molecular genetics?
A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence, which can alter gene function and lead to new traits or genetic disorders.
What does the ribosome do during protein synthesis?
Ribosomes read the mRNA sequence and link amino acids together to form a polypeptide chain.
What are producers in an ecosystem?
Producers, like plants and algae, make their own food through photosynthesis and form the base of the food web.