bio100 final exam review

What defines the fundamental architecture of a eukaryotic cell?

Membranes that create distinct compartments

What is the function of the cell membrane

It defines the border between the exterior space and the internal cytoplasmic space

What separates the nuclear space from the rest of the cell

The nuclear membrane

What is the role of organelle membranes

They define internal compartment spaces where specialized chemical work occurs

What provides structural support to plant cells

The cell wall made of carbohydrates (cellulose)

What is the extracellular matrix

A sticky mesh of proteins and carbohydrates outside the cell that connects it to the neighbouring cells

What is the cytoskeleton

A network of protein cables and fibers that act as internal scaffolding

What macromolecule stores the permanent information of the cell

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

What are transport proteins

Proteins embedded in membranes that facilitate the movement of materials across cell boundaries

What are enzymes

protein machines that carry out chemical reactions (metabolism)

What do motor neurons do

They ‘walk’ along side the cytoskeleton to move materials or the cell itself

What is the role of signalling proteins

They carry messages from the cell surface to the nucleus

What is metabolism

The process by which cells capture energy and building blocks to maintain order and build structures

How do cells capture energy

By using metabolic machinery to capture energy from food or light

What is ATP

A small molecule that stores and distributes energy within the cell

How do cells release energy stored in ATP

By breaking the bonds of ATP to power cellular processes

What is the role of interferon during a viral infection

It is a warning protein produced to activate antiviral defences in neighbouring cells

What is the endomembrane system

A system that allows different cellular compartments to produce, transport, and assemble proteins efficiently

What challenges did plants face when adapting to land

Desiccation, gravity, and reproduction without swimming sperm

What are non-vascular plants

The pioneers of plant evolution, such as mosses, that adapted to land

What is the significance of the cytoplasmic space

It is where many cellular processes and reactions occur

How do cells obtain building blocks

By consuming organic matter or assembling organic molecules from inorganic compounds

What is the role of chemical bonds in energy storage

They act as a store of energy that can be released by breaking down the bonds

How do cells respond to environmental changes

By using signalling proteins to activate genes that adjust cellular behaviour

What is the role of the viral genome once inside a host cell

It needs access to the cell’s information-processing machinery to replicate

What happens to a virus after it binds to a cell’s surface protein

It is internalized into the cell, where it can exploit the cell’s systems

What is the function of sensory proteins in a cell

They detect molecular patterns associated with viruses and initiate a defense response

What is the importance of compartmentalization in eukaryotic cells

it allows for specialized functions and efficient processing of cellular activities

What are non-vascular plants and their characteristics

non-vascular plants, like mosses, are small and lack internal transport systems, requiring moisture for reproduction

what distinguishes seedless vascular plants

seedless vascular plants, such as ferns, have vascular tissue (xylem and phloem) for nutrient transport but still water for reproduction

what are gymnosperms and their adaptions

gymnosperms, like conifers, have evolved pollen and seeds, allowing them to reproduce without standing water and thrive in drier climates

what are angiosperms and their significance

angiosperms, or flowering plants, have optimized reproduction through flowers and fruit, making them the most diverse and dominant plant group

what is the anatomy of a flower

a flower consists of male parts (stamen: anther and filament) and female parts (carpel/pistil: stigma, style and ovary)

how do flowers and pollinators co-evolve

flowers have adapted in shape, color, and scent to attract specific pollinators, ensuring effective pollen transfer

what is the role of fruit in plant reproduction

fruit develops from the ovary after fertilization, serving to entice animals for seed dispersal and reducing competition

how is biome distribution determined

biome distribution is primarily influenced by the relationship between average temperature and average precipitation

What are the major biomes

tropical rain forest, temperate deciduous forest, taiga, grassland, desert, and tundra

what are a rain forest’s characteristics

high temp, rain

What is a temperate deciduous forest’s characteristic

moderate temp, rain

What is the taiga’s characteristics

low temp, moderate rain

What are the grassland’s characteristics

variable temp, low rain

What are the desert’s characteristics

variable temp, very low rain

What are the tundra’s characteristics

very low temp, low rain

How does structural complexity affect biodiversity

Higher structural complexity in plant communities, like rainforests, supports greater animal diversity due to more distinct niches

What is ecological succession

Ecological succession is the predictable sequence of change in ecosystems after disturbances, involving pioneer species and climax communities

What defines an animal

Animas are multicellular, intestine heterotrophs characterized by specialized tissues and the ability to move

What’s the difference between ingestive heterotrophs and other organisms

Unlike fungi and plants, animals obtain energy by consuming and digesting other organisms internally

What are the unique tissues found in animals

Animals posses true tissues, including muscle and nervous tissues, which enables coordinated movement and rapid communication

What is symmetry in animals

Radial symmetry has body parts arranged around a central axis, while bilaterally symmetry has distinct left and right sides

What is the significance of developmental processes in animals

Animals undergo complex development from zygote to multicellular organism, while similar early stages across species indicating a common ancestor

What is the biological species concept

It defines species as groups that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring while being reproductively isolated from other groups

What is gene flow and its effect on populations

Gene flow connects populations through interbreeding, keeping them genetically similar; reduced gene flow can lead to divergence

How do reproductive isolation and speciation relate

Reproductive isolation between populations can lead to speciation, though species boundaries may not always be clear due to hybridization

What are pioneer species

Pioneer species are fast growing plants that stabilize soil during the early stages of ecological succession

What is a climax community

A climax community is a stable plant community out that defines a mature ecosystem, succeeding pioneer species

What is the role of the ovary in flowering plants

The ovary houses the ovules/eggs and develops into fruit after fertilization

What adaptations do flowers have for specific pollinators

Flowers may have specific colours, shapes and scents to attract particular pollinators, enhancing reproductive success

What is the relationship between climate and biome distribution

Climate factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, primarily drive the distribution of major plant communities (biomes)

How does structural complexity in ecosystems affect species diversity

Ecosystems with greater structural complexity, like rainforests, support more species due to varied habitats

What is then importance of the ‘lock and key’ relationship in pollination

The relationship ensures that pollen is transferred to the correct species, enhancing reproductive efficiency

What are prezygotic barriers

Barriers that prevent mating or fertilization from occurring

What are postzygotic barriers

Barriers that occur after fertilization, leading to inviable, sterile, or less fit hybrids

What is the significance of blocking gene flow in speciation

It allows populations to diverge further, leading to speciation

What is allopatric speciation

Speciation that occurs when a physical barrier separates populations, preventing interbreeding

What is an example of allopatric speciation

Populations of snapping shrimp became separated by the formation of the isthmus of Panama

What is sympatric speciation

Speciation that occurs within the same geographic area, often due to behavioural or genetic separation

How can different food sources lead to sympatric speciation

Populations may specialize on different niches, reducing interbreeding and leading to speciation

What is hybrid speciation

When hybrids become reproductively isolated from both parents species but can reproduce with one another

What role does hybridization play in species concepts

It can facilitate gene flow and may weaken or break down species distinctions

What is reinforcement in the context of hybridization

The process where selection favours stronger barriers to interbreeding when hybrids are less fit

What is introgression

Gene flow between different species, allowing useful genes to move from one species into another

How did Neanderthal DNA persist in modern humans

Through ancient hybridization and introgression

What is polyploidy in plants

A condition where chromosome doubling restores fertility in hybrids that would otherwise be sterile

What is the founder effect

When a new population is started by a small number of individuals, leading to reduced genetic variation

An example of the founder effect is…

High rates of colour blindness in the Pingelap island population

What is genetic drift

Random changes in allele frequency in small populations, which can increase or decrease traits unpredictably

What is inbreeding and it’s consequence

Mating between closely related individuals, leading to inbreeding depression, reduced health and lower fertility

What is reduced gene flow

Occurs when groups reproduce mistletoe within their own community, limiting genetic mixing

What is the impact of restoring genetic diversity

It can impute the health and viability of small populations

What is the significance of family history in genetics

It helps predict disease risk by indicating probability not certainty

What are polygenic traits

Traits influenced by many genes, each having a small effect, such as heart disease and height

What is the difference between monogenic and polygenic diseases

Monogenic diseases are caused by one gene, whereas polygenic diseases involve multiple genes

What is penetrance in genetics

The probability that a gene will produce its effect, which can vary from low to high

What are somatic mutations

Mutations that occur during a persons lifetime and are not inherited

What are germline mutations

Mutations present in sperm or egg cells that can be passed to offspring

What is the difference between inherited mutations and variants

Inherited mutations are passed through generations, while variants are the result of mutations

What is the probability of having an affected child from two carrier parents for an autosomal recessive disease

25% chance of having an affected child

What gene therapy approach involves adding a working gene

Replace (replacing)

What gene therapy approach involves blocking harmful gene expression

Silence (silencing)

What gene therapy approach involves directly modifying DNA

Edit (editing)