CELL STRUCTURE & BIOCHEMISTRY
Which type of cell has a nucleus?
Eukaryotic
What is mitosis?
Division of nucleus into identical cells
What are DNA building blocks?
Nucleotides
What is a genotype?
Genetic makeup
What is evolution?
Change in populations over time
What is natural selection?
Natural selection is the process in which organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to future generations.
What is photosynthesis?
Making glucose using sunlight
What system controls the body?
Nervous system
What is biodiversity?
Variety of life
Which biomolecule stores genetic information?
Nucleic acids (DNA)
Why is the cell cycle important?
Growth and repair
What does DNA code for?
Proteins
What is a phenotype?
Physical traits
What is common ancestry?
Organisms share a common ancestor
Does evolution happen in individuals or populations?
populations
What is cellular respiration?
Breaking down glucose for energy
What system transports oxygen?
Circulatory system
What is mutualism?
Both benefit
What is the function of proteins?
Enzymes, structure, transport, signaling
Form = function
What is cell differentiation?
Cells becoming specialized
What is gene expression?
DNA → RNA → Protein
What is incomplete dominance?
Blended trait
Give one type of evidence for evolution
Fossils / DNA / homologous structures
What is genetic drift?
Random change in allele frequency
What do enzymes do?
Speed up reactions by lowering activation energy
Why do systems work together?
Maintain homeostasis
What happens when biodiversity decreases?
Stability decreases
How does the cell membrane maintain homeostasis?
Controls what enters and leaves (selective permeability)
What causes cancer?
Uncontrolled cell cycle
What is a mutation?
Change in DNA sequence
What is crossing over?
Exchange of DNA during meiosis
What are homologous structures?
Same structure, different function (common ancestry)
What is gene flow?
Movement of genes between populations
Compare photosynthesis and respiration.
Opposite processes (energy stored vs released). The products of one reaction is the reactants of the other
How do plant systems transport water?
Xylem
What is the role of producers?
Start energy flow
Why do eukaryotic cells have an advantage over prokaryotic cells?
Organelles allow specialized functions and efficiency
Why do cells with identical DNA become different types of cells?
Different genes are turned on/off (gene expression)
How can mutations affect organisms?
Can be harmful, beneficial, or neutral depending on protein changes
Why does sexual reproduction increase genetic diversity?
Sexual reproduction increases genetic diversity because it produces offspring with new combinations of alleles that are different from both parents.
How do fossils support evolution?
Show changes in organisms over time
Why does natural selection act on phenotypes but affect genotypes?
Traits determine survival, but genes are passed on
Explain how matter is conserved on photosynthesis and cellular respiration
Matter is conserved in photosynthesis and cellular respiration because the same atoms (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) are rearranged to form new molecules, rather than being created or destroyed.
Why is system interaction necessary for survival?
Systems depend on each other to perform essential functions
How does disrupting the carbon or nitrogen cycle affect ecosystems?
Disrupting the carbon or nitrogen cycle affects ecosystems by altering the availability of essential nutrients, which disrupts energy flow, population sizes, and overall ecosystem stability.