Core Learnings in Biology

Question 1

What are the themes of biology?

Answer 1

Evolution, Unity within Diversity, Systems/Interactions, Homeostasis, Energy

Question 2

Define the following theme of biology: Energy

Answer 2

Living things use energy to power all of life’s processes: repair, movement, & growth Ex: Photosynthesis is a metabolic process in which plants, algae, and some bacteria use the sun’s energy to make sugar

Question 3

Define the following theme of biology: Unity within Diversity

Answer 3

Having similar things (unity) but with variation (diversity) Ex: All Organisms have cells, but the cell types are different in structure and function

Question 4

Define the following theme of biology: Systems/Interactions

Answer 4

Multiple parts comprising the whole Ex: An ecosystem is built on interactions between different members – food chain, nutrient cycling, etc.

Question 5

Define the following theme of biology: Homeostasis

Answer 5

Maintaining a balance or steady state even when environment or conditions change. Ex: Body temperature

Question 6

Define the following theme of biology: Evolution

Answer 6

Change over time Ex: Diversity of bird beaks based on their various habitats and food sources

Question 7

Central dogma of biology (genetics)

Answer 7

DNA –> RNA –> protein

Question 8

What is DNA responsible for and where is it located?

Answer 8

Responsible for coding proteins and located in the nucleus

Question 9

What is mRNA responsible for and where is it located?

Answer 9

Responsible for carrying a copy of the DNA message (transcription) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm to the ribosome where the protein is assembled (translation)

Question 10

Explain the basic process of mitosis

Answer 10

cellular division of body (autosomal) cells that creates more body cells

Question 11

Explain the basic process of meiosis

Answer 11

cellular division of germ (somatic) cells that create gametes (sperm and egg)

Question 12

Explain the basic process of electrophoresis

Answer 12

process that separates DNA fragments by size in a gel using electric charge

Question 13

What are the three parts of the cell theory?

Answer 13

1. All cells come from pre-existing cells 2. All living things are made of cells 3. The cell is the basic unit of life

Question 14

What is PCR (polymerase chain reaction)?

Answer 14

process that replicates a certain portion of DNA to create a lot of it; a lot of copies of DNA is needed for electrophoresis

Question 15

What are restriction enzymes?

Answer 15

enzymes that cut DNA molecules in specific places to create desired strands

Question 16

What are stem cells?

Answer 16

cells that can differentiate into any kind of cell

Question 17

What is simple diffusion?

Answer 17

The transport of molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration; No energy required

Question 18

What is active transport?

Answer 18

The transport of molecules from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration; requires energy

Question 19

What is receptor mediated endocytosis?

Answer 19

Question 20

What happens to cells when they are placed in hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic solutions?

Answer 20

Question 21

If a cell is in a hypotonic solution, what direction does the water flow?

Answer 21

Since there is a higher concentration of water outside the cell, the water will flow into the cell

Question 22

If a cell is in a hypertonic solution, what direction will the water flow?

Answer 22

Since there is a higher concentration of water inside the cell, the water will flow out of the cell

Question 23

If a cell is in an isotonic solution, which way will the water flow?

Answer 23

Since the concentration of water is equal inside and outside the cell, there is no net movement of water in either direction

Question 24

What are proteins made of?

Answer 24

Amino acids

Question 25

What are carbohydrates made of?

Answer 25

monosaccharides (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen only)

Question 26

What is DNA made of?

Answer 26

Nucleotides (A, T, G, and C with a sugar-phosphate backbone)

Question 27

What are lipids made of?

Answer 27

Fatty acids (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen – mostly carbon and hydrogen)

Question 28

What are enzymes and what are their function?

Answer 28

Proteins that decrease the acitvation energy of a reaction

Question 29

How does an enzyme become denatured and what does that mean?

Answer 29

High temperatures and pH changes can break apart the bonds that hold enzymes together, causing it to not function correctly

Question 30

What causes cancer cells?

Answer 30

Mutations in the cell cycle; uncontrolled cell reporduction and growth; mutations in cell signalling

Question 31

What can cell signalling molecules tell cells to do?

Answer 31

Grow, die, reproduce

Question 32

In the following pedigree for an autosomal recessive completely dominant disorder, what are the genotypes and phenotypes for #1 and #2?

Answer 32

Ff and Ff with a healthy phenotype (because they had a daughter with the disease which is ff, they both must have a recessive allele to give. Since they don’t have the disorder, they must be the heterozygous)

Question 33

Using a punnett square, what are the likely genotypes for the offspring in this pedigree?

Answer 33

25% - DD

50% - Dd

25% - dd

Question 34

What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Answer 34

Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles (such as the Golgi Body) while prokaryotic cells do not have any membrane-bound organelles