Bio Topic 2

What are the early Earth conditions that facilitated the formation of carbon compounds?

The early Earth atmosphere was rich in methane, ammonia, water vapor, and neon, with little to no free oxygen, and had high temperatures and lightning strikes.

What is the Spontaneous Origin Hypothesis?

It is the hypothesis that life arose through a series of chemical and physical processes, including synthesis of organic monomers, polymerization, self-replication, and membrane formation.

What was demonstrated by the Miller-Urey Experiment?

The experiment simulated early Earth conditions and demonstrated that organic molecules, such as amino acids, sugars, and lipids, could spontaneously form from simple inorganic compounds.

What is hypothesized to be the first genetic material?

RNA is hypothesized to be the first genetic material due to its ability to form spontaneously and control chemical reactions.

What does LUCA stand for in the context of cellular biology?

LUCA stands for Last Universal Common Ancestor, the ancestor of all life on Earth, dating back about 3.5 billion years.

What are the three key principles of Cell Theory?

1. All living things are composed of one or more cells. 2. Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things. 3. Existing cells come from pre-existing cells.

Who is known as the 'Father of the microscope'?

Anton van Leeuwenhoek is known as the 'Father of the microscope' for observing tiny living organisms.

Why are viruses not considered living based on Cell Theory?

Viruses consist of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat and do not meet the criteria of being composed of cells.

What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and complex organelles.

What is the Fluid Mosaic Model?

The Fluid Mosaic Model describes the structure of cell membranes composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins and cholesterol.

What transport mechanisms are involved in membrane transport?

Passive Transport (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion) and Active Transport (pumps, cotransporters, endocytosis, and exocytosis).

What are the functions of membrane proteins?

Membrane proteins are involved in transport, signaling, enzymatic activity, and adhesion.

What are the advantages of cellular compartmentalization?

Efficiency in biochemical reactions, protection of sensitive processes, and increased reaction rates.

What role do stem cells play in multicellular organisms?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into various specialized cell types.

What factors affect water movement in cells?

Concentration gradient, pressure potential, and temperature affect the movement of water.

How do plant cells regulate water compared to animal cells?

Plant cells rely on turgor pressure and cell walls for regulation, while animal cells use osmoregulation mechanisms.

What implications do solubility differences have for cellular function?

Solubility affects how substances move across cell membranes, influencing nutrient absorption, waste removal, and overall cellular function.

What are ribosomes responsible for in cells?

Ribosomes are responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA (mRNA).

What is the primary function of the nucleus?

The nucleus houses the cell's genetic material (DNA) and regulates gene expression.

What role do mitochondria play in the cell?

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell, generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through cellular respiration.

What is the structure and function of the cell membrane?

The cell membrane is a lipid bilayer that controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell.

What are the functions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)?

The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in protein and lipid synthesis; it consists of rough ER (with ribosomes) and smooth ER (without ribosomes).

What is the function of lysosomes within a cell?

Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris.

How do chloroplasts contribute to plant cells?

Chloroplasts are organelles that conduct photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy stored as glucose.

What is the purpose of the Golgi apparatus?

The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or use within the cell.

Define apoptosis and its significance in multicellular organisms.

Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death, crucial for maintaining homeostasis and development.

How do cell junctions contribute to tissue function?

Cell junctions, such as tight junctions and gap junctions, facilitate communication and adhesion between neighboring cells, ensuring tissue integrity.

What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose using carbon dioxide and water.

What are the main products of photosynthesis?

The main products of photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen.

What is cellular respiration?

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose into ATP, the energy currency of the cell, using oxygen.

What is the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy, primarily from the sun, necessary for photosynthesis.

What are the stages of cellular respiration?

The stages of cellular respiration include glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.

Where does photosynthesis occur in plant cells?

Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells.

What is the equation for photosynthesis?

The equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

What organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell?

The mitochondrion is known as the powerhouse of the cell because it produces ATP.

What is anaerobic respiration?

Aerobic respiration is a form of respiration that occurs without oxygen, resulting in less ATP production compared to aerobic respiration.

What is the significance of the electron transport chain?

The electron transport chain is crucial for the production of ATP in cellular respiration through oxidative phosphorylation.

What is a carbon compound?

A carbon compound is any chemical compound that contains carbon, typically in combination with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or phosphorus.

What is a polymer?

A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units (monomers) connected by covalent chemical bonds.

What is an organic molecule?

An organic molecule is a compound primarily made of carbon and hydrogen, often containing functional groups that determine its chemical properties.

What is an enzyme?

An enzyme is a biological catalyst that accelerates chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed.

What is metabolism?

Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions that occur within a cell or organism, including catabolism and anabolism.

What is DNA?

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the hereditary material in almost all organisms, consisting of two strands forming a double helix.

What is RNA?

RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a molecule essential for various biological roles, including coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.

What is a nucleotide?

A nucleotide is the building block of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), composed of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

What are amino acids?

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins, consisting of an amine group, a carboxyl group, and a distinctive side chain.

What is a peptide bond?

A peptide bond is a covalent bond formed between two amino acids during protein synthesis.

What is a lipid?

A lipid is a diverse group of hydrophobic molecules, including fats, oils, and phospholipids, important for energy storage and cellular structure.

What is ATP?

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy carrier in all living organisms.

What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen.

What is cellular respiration?

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.

What is the role of chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is the pigment responsible for the absorption of light to provide energy for photosynthesis.

What is glycolysis?

Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH in the process.

What is the Krebs cycle?

The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle, is a series of enzymatic reactions that generate ATP, NADH, and FADH2 from acetyl-CoA.

What is oxidative phosphorylation?

Oxidative phosphorylation is the process in which ATP is formed through the electron transport chain, using energy from electrons.

What are ribosomes?

Ribosomes are cellular structures that synthesize proteins by translating mRNA into polypeptides.

What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?

The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

What are lysosomes?

Lysosomes are organelles that contain digestive enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris.

What are vacuoles?

Vacuoles are membrane-bound sacs within a cell that store substances such as nutrients, waste products, or enzymes.

What is the cytoplasm?

The cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance within a cell that contains organelles and is the site of many metabolic activities.

What is the cell wall?

The cell wall is a rigid outer layer surrounding plant cells, providing structure and support.

What is a flagellum?

A flagellum is a long, whip-like structure that enables bacterial and some eukaryotic cells to move.

What is a cilium?

A cilium is a short, hair-like structure that helps in cell movement and the movement of fluids across the cell surface.

What is a phospholipid?

A phospholipid is a lipid molecule composed of a glycerol backbone, two fatty acid tails, and a phosphate group, forming cell membranes.

What is diffusion?

Diffusion is the passive movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

What is osmosis?

Osmosis is the passive diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

What are aquaporins?

Aquaporins are channel proteins that facilitate the transport of water across cell membranes.

What is active transport?

Active transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.

What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.

What is cellular communication?

Cellular communication is the process by which cells send and receive signals to coordinate activities.

What are hormones?

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands that regulate physiological processes in the body.

What is the immune system?

The immune system is the body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders.

What are antigens?

Antigens are substances that trigger an immune response, typically proteins on the surface of pathogens.

What is an antibody?

An antibody is a protein produced by the immune system to neutralize or destroy antigens.

What is evolution?

Evolution is the change in the inherited characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

What is natural selection?

Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

What is genetic variation?

Genetic variation refers to diversity in gene frequencies among individuals within a population.

What are mutations?

Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to variations in traits.

What is biotechnology?

Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, improve plants or animals, or develop microorganisms for specific uses.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of differentiating into various specialized cell types.

What are chloroplasts?

Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.

What is the membrane potential?

Membrane potential is the difference in electric charge inside and outside a cell, crucial for processes like nerve impulses.

What is apoptosis?

Apoptosis is the programmed cell death process that eliminates damaged or unnecessary cells.

What is signal transduction?

Signal transduction is the process by which a cell converts an extracellular signal into a functional response.

What is a feedback mechanism?

A feedback mechanism is a loop system that regulates biological processes by using outputs to adjust inputs.

What is a genome?

A genome is the complete set of genetic material present in a cell or organism.

What are chromosomes?

Chromosomes are long strands of DNA wrapped around proteins that carry genetic information.

What is chromatin?

Chromatin is the combination of DNA and proteins that form chromosomes within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

What is gene expression?

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize functional gene products like proteins.

What is differentiation?

Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells develop into specialized cells with distinct functions.