Cells & Cell Structures
This plant cell structure captures light energy to make food.
What is the chloroplast?
This process produces two identical daughter cells.
what is mitosis
In an experiment, this variable is changed on purpose.
What is the independent variable?
This group of organisms breaks down dead matter and recycles nutrients.
What are decomposers?
This process converts light energy into chemical energy.
What is photosynthesis?
Explain why root cells usually do not carry out photosynthesis.
They lack chloroplasts and do not receive light.
Why must DNA be copied before mitosis begins?
So each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic information.
Why is a control group important in an investigation?
It provides a comparison to determine the effect of the independent variable.
Why are earthworms important to soil ecosystems?
They recycle nutrients by breaking down dead plant matter.
Why do different biomes exist around the world?
Because climate differences affect which organisms can survive.
Which organelle releases energy from food during cellular respiration, and why is it essential?
The mitochondrion, because it releases energy needed for cell activities.
Explain how mitosis helps multicellular organisms grow and repair tissues.
Mitosis makes new identical cells that replace damaged cells and increase cell number for growth.
Which type of graph best shows change over time, and why?
A line graph, because it shows trends and changes over time.
What type of relationship exists between coral and algae?
Mutualism, because both organisms benefit.
Why are producers considered the base of food webs?
They make their own food and supply energy to all other organisms.
A scientist finds a cell with a nucleus but no chloroplasts. What type of cell is it, and how do you know?
An animal cell, because animal cells have nuclei but lack chloroplasts.
Why does mitosis not increase genetic variation?
Because it produces genetically identical cells instead of mixing genes like sexual reproduction.
Repeated trials give similar results. What does this show about the data?
The results are more reliable because they are consistent.
Why are invertebrates often called ecosystem engineers?
Their activities change environments by affecting soil, water quality, and population balance.
How does photosynthesis support all higher trophic levels?
It provides the original energy source that moves through food webs.
How do differences in cell structures support different functions in plant and animal cells?
Plant cells have chloroplasts for photosynthesis and cell walls for support, while animal cells do not because they get energy by eating and need flexibility.
What would happen if mitosis stopped occurring in skin cells?
Skin would not repair or replace dead cells, leading to injury and failure to heal.
Design a fair test to study how light affects plant growth.
Change the amount of light (independent variable), measure plant height (dependent variable), and keep soil, water, and plant type the same (constants).
What happens to a coral reef if algae populations decrease?
Coral receives less energy, causing reefs to weaken or die.
How are cells, ecosystems, and energy connected systems in biology?
Cells carry out energy processes, ecosystems transfer energy through food webs, and all systems depend on energy flow.