Chemistry of Life
What is the basic unit of an element?
Atom
What is the function of the cell membrane?
Regulates the passage of substances into and out of the cell, maintaining homeostasis.
What is the primary function of chloroplasts
Photosynthesis - converting light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
What is a ligand?
A signaling molecule that binds to a receptor protein.
What is the purpose of the G1 phase in the cell cycle?
Growth and preparation for DNA synthesis.
Name the four major organic macromolecules.
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
Name the organelle responsible for energy production in the cell
Mitochondria
Name the two main stages of cellular respiration.
Glycolysis and the Krebs cycle (Citric Acid Cycle) followed by the Electron Transport Chain.
Describe the process of signal transduction.
The transmission of molecular signals from the cell surface to the cell interior, often involving a series of protein activations.
Name the stages of mitosis in order.
Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase (PMAT).
What is cohesion?
This property of water allows it to form hydrogen bonds and gives water its high surface tension
Define osmosis.
The movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration
What is the role of NADH in cellular respiration?
It carries high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain.
Differentiate between autocrine and paracrine signaling.
Autocrine signaling affects the same cell, while paracrine signaling affects nearby cells.
What is the significance of meiosis in sexual reproduction?
It produces gametes (sperm and eggs) with half the chromosome number, ensuring genetic diversity.
Explain the difference between a covalent bond and an ionic bond
Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons, while ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons.
Identify the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have both
Differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
Aerobic respiration requires oxygen, producing more ATP, while anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen, producing less ATP.
Explain how mutations in genes involved in cell signaling can lead to cancer.
Abnormal cell signaling can result in uncontrolled cell division and tumor formation.
Differentiate between a haploid and diploid cell.
Haploid cells have half the chromosome number (n), while diploid cells have the full complement (2n).
These are the four major elements that make up approximately 96% of living matter.
Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen
Explain the process of endocytosis.
The cell takes in substances by engulfing them in a vesicle formed from the cell membrane.
Explain how chemiosmosis is involved in ATP production.
Protons move through ATP synthase, driving the production of ATP
Identify the major types of cell junctions in animal cells.
Tight junctions, gap junctions, and desmosomes.
Explain how the cell cycle is regulated.
Checkpoints ensure proper progression through the cell cycle, and cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) regulate these checkpoints.