Biology Retrieval Practice Challenge

Part 1 Bio Revision

What is the difference between cytoplasm and cytosol?

Cytosol is the intracellular fluid. Cytoplasm is the cytosol + organelles.

What are the three main components of DNA nucleotides?

Deoxyribose sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous bases (A, C, T, G).

What is an example of a plant organ?

Leaves, flowers, fruits, stems, or roots.

What is the function of the excretory system?

It removes waste substances from the blood via excretion and manages water balance.

What is the difference between a control variable and a control group?

A controlled variable is kept the same in the experiment. A negative control group is a sample that is not exposed to the independent variable.

What is the difference between anaphase I and anaphase II?

In anaphase I, homologous chromosomes separate. In anaphase II, sister chromatids separate.

What is the difference between a twin pregnancy and cloning an organism?

Twins are naturally conceived, whereas humans intervene to produce a clone.

Where does mechanical digestion occur?

In the mouth when teeth grind food and in the stomach when it churns food.

What is the difference between a prokaryotic and a eukaryotic cell?

A prokaryotic cell does not have membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotic cells do have membrane-bound organelles.

Where does photosynthesis occur?

In the chloroplast.

Where does cellular respiration occur?

In the mitochondria.

What is codominance?

Both alleles from a genotype are fully expressed in the phenotype of a heterozygote.

Why can’t the donor egg cell nucleus be used in somatic cell nuclear transfer?

Egg cells have half the amount of the required chromosomes.

If an experiment is determined to be repeatable, what does this mean?

The method has been repeated under the same conditions and the same results were achieved.

What are the characteristics of homologous chromosomes?

They are the same length, have the same gene locus/banding pattern, and have the same centromere position.

What would you expect to see in the nephron of a desert animal?

A longer loop of Henle, allowing more water to be reabsorbed.

What is the difference between xylem and phloem?

Xylem transports water and minerals from roots to shoots. Phloem transports glucose and nutrients and is bidirectional.

What type of graph would you use if pH was the independent variable?

A line graph, because the independent variable is numerical.

What is the difference between a genotype and a phenotype?

A genotype is the combination of alleles inherited from parents. A phenotype is the physical characteristics.

Why would a farmer want to produce a clone of their stock?

To own more stock that produces the best/highest-quality output and therefore earn more money.

What is the difference between ingestion and digestion?

Ingestion is when food is taken into the body. Digestion is when food is broken down by chemical and mechanical digestion.

What are the monomers of carbohydrates?

Glucose.

What are the monomers of lipids?

Fatty acids and glycerol.

What are the monomers of proteins?

Amino acids.

What are the monomers of nucleic acids?

Nucleotides.

Why is it more beneficial for a cell to be smaller than larger?

Being smaller increases the surface area-to-volume ratio, making exchange more efficient.

What is proportionate heritability?

An organism’s phenotype is explained partly by genes and partly by environmental factors.

What are behavioural adaptations to hot, dry environments?

Flapping ears and seeking shade.

What are structural adaptations to hot, dry environments?

Large ears and strategically placed insulation.

What are physiological adaptations to hot, dry environments?

Producing concentrated urine.

What is the function of the rough ER?

It transports materials within a cell and, because it has ribosomes attached, is also the site of protein synthesis.

How many chromosomes would a human hair cell have?

46 chromosomes/23 pairs of chromosomes because a hair cell is somatic/diploid.

Which factors can affect the rate of transpiration in vascular plants?

Temperature, light, humidity, wind, and water availability.

What role does the liver play in the digestive system?

The liver produces bile, which breaks down fats.

Describe the polarity of a phospholipid.

The phosphate head is hydrophilic (polar), while the fatty acid tail is hydrophobic (non-polar).

What are the characteristics of an autosomal dominant pedigree?

There are approximately equal numbers of affected males and females, and the condition does not skip a generation.

What are behavioural adaptations to cold environments?

Reducing exposed surface area and huddling.

What are structural adaptations to cold environments?

Insulation and reducing surface area-to-volume ratio.

What are physiological adaptations to cold environments?

Torpor and vasoconstriction.

How are blood sugar levels regulated?

When blood sugar levels are low, alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans secrete glucagon. When blood sugar levels are high, beta cells secrete insulin.

What is an example of a totipotent stem cell?

A zygote.

What is an example of a pluripotent stem cell?

A blastocyst.

What is an example of a multipotent stem cell?

Endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm.

What is the purpose of mitosis?

Growth and repair.

What is the heterozygote advantage?

When carrying a disadvantageous allele provides a biological advantage.

What is the difference between r and K reproduction strategies?

r reproduction is suited to unstable environments and involves many offspring with short lifespans. K reproduction is suited to stable environments and involves fewer offspring with longer lifespans.