Fundamental Characteristics Of Life

Question 1

Are simple organisms that lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Their DNA is located in a nucleoid region, and they contain ribosomes for protein synthesis, which are not membrane-enclosed. Prokaryotes may also have flagella and pili. These cells are typically smaller than eukaryotic cells, measuring between 0.1 and 5.0 micrometers in diameter. Examples include bacteria and archaea.

Answer 1

Prokaryotic Cells: Simple and Efficient

Question 2

Are complex, featuring a true nucleus enclosed by a nuclear envelope that separates DNA from the rest of the cell. They contain various membrane-bound organelles with specific functions, including mitochondria (energy production), chloroplasts (photosynthesis in plants), endoplasmic reticulum (protein and lipid synthesis), Golgi apparatus (packaging and sorting proteins), and lysosomes (waste breakdown). Eukaryotic cells are typically larger than prokaryotic cells, measuring 10 to 100 micrometers in diameter. Examples include plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

Answer 2

Eukaryotic Cells: Complex and Compartmentalized

Question 3

The total amount of energy.

Answer 3

Metabolism

Question 4

It is a breakdown of molecules to produce energy.

Answer 4

Catabolism

Question 5

is the process of building complex molecules from simpler ones, and it requires energy input rather than producing energy.

Answer 5

Anabolism

Question 6

is often referred to as the “energy currency” of the body. It is a fundamental source of energy within our bodies, enabling cells to perform their essential functions.

Answer 6

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Question 7

Is something that causes a reaction or a change in an organism or a system.

Answer 7

A stimulus

Question 8

Is the way a plant or some other organism responds to a stimulus by growing or moving in a particular direction. It’s like the organism has a built-in tendency to react to something in its environment.

Answer 8

Tropism

Question 9

This is when the organism grows or moves towards the source of the stimulus. For example, in positive phototropism, plants grow towards a light source. Their stems bend and grow in the direction of the light so that their leaves can get more sunlight for photosynthesis.

Answer 9

Positive tropism

Question 10

the organism grows or moves away from the stimulus. An example is negative phototropism in some plant roots. Roots don’t need light for their normal functions, so they grow away from light. Negative gravitropism is seen in some climbing plant stems.

Answer 10

Negative tropism

Question 11

This is how plants respond to gravity. Example, Roots show positive geotropism, which means they grow downwards towards the pull of gravity.

Answer 11

Geotropism

Question 12

It’s about how plants grow in relation to water. Plants have a tendency to grow their roots towards areas where there is more water. So if there is a moisture gradient in the soil, the roots will bend and grow in the direction of higher water content. This ensures that the plant can get the water it needs for survival.

Answer 12

Hydrotropism

Question 13

This is the response of plants to light. Plants’ stems and leaves exhibit positive phototropism. They grow towards a source of light, like the sun.

Answer 13

phototropism

Question 14

It’s how plants react to touch or physical contact. Some plants, like climbing vines, show thigmotropism. When their tendrils or stems come into contact with a solid object like a fence or a tree trunk, they will coil around it.

Answer 14

thigmotropism

Question 15

Mainly refers to getting bigger in size or increasing in quantity.

Answer 15

Growth (physical change)

Question 16

Is about becoming more complex or maturing in function and structure.

Answer 16

Development (physiological changes)

Question 17

It refers to a quantifiable increase in physical change observed in size, height, and weight.

Answer 17

Growth

Question 18

Is the biological process by which new individual organisms and produced from their parents.

Answer 18

Offspring

Question 19

It involves two parents and produces offspring that are genetically unique.

Answer 19

Sexual reproduction

Question 20

Involves one parent and produces offspring that are genetically identical to each other into the parent.

Answer 20

Asexual reproduction

Question 21

One organism splits into two equal parts. Example: Bacteria reproduce this way. The cell divides into two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.

Answer 21

Binary fission

Question 22

A small outgrowth or bud forms on the parent organism and eventually detaches to become a new individual. Example: Yeast cells reproduce by budding. A small bud forms on the side of the parent yeast cell and grows until it separates.

Answer 22

Budding

Question 23

The parent organism breaks into several pieces, and each piece can grow into a new individual. Example: Some worms can break apart if they are cut, and each fragment can regenerate into a whole new worm.

Answer 23

Fragmentation

Question 24

Using parts of a plant (other than seeds) to grow new plants. Example: Taking a cutting from a rose bush and planting it to grow a new rose plant. Or a potato tuber can sprout and grow into a new potato plant.

Answer 24

Vegetative propagation

Question 25

The production of spores, which are like tiny cells that can grow into new organisms. Example: Fungi produces spores. These spores are released into the environment and can germinate and develop into new fungal organisms under the right conditions.

Answer 25

Sporogenesis

Question 26

It is the fusion of two cells (gametes) to form a single cell called a zygote. This is the key step in sexual reproduction where genetic material is combined.

Example: In humans, the sperm (a male gamete) fuses with the egg (a female gamete) during fertilization, which is a type of syngamy.

Answer 26

Syngamy

Question 27

These are the reproductive cells that are involved in sexual reproduction. They carry half the genetic information of the parent organism.

Example: Sperm cells in males and egg cells in females are gametes.

Answer 27

Gametes

Question 28

the gametes that fuse together are similar in size and shape. They are often indistinguishable from each other.

Example: Some algae and fungi have isogamous reproductions.

Answer 28

Isogamy

Question 29

the gametes are different in size or structure. One gamete is usually larger and non-motile (stationary), while the other is smaller and often motile.

Example: In many plants and animals, including humans, the egg is the larger, non-motile gamete and the sperm is the smaller, motile gamete. This is a form of heterogamy.

Answer 29

Heterogamy

Question 30

It is a type of heterogamy where one large, non-motile egg is fertilized by a smaller, motile sperm.

Example: This is the common form of sexual reproduction in animals, including humans. The female produces a large egg, and the male produces numerous small sperm that swim to reach and fertilize the egg.

Answer 30

Oogamy

Question 31

is like a set of instructions or a blueprint that contains all the genetic information needed to build and maintain an organism.

Answer 31

DNA 🧬 (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Question 32

is a molecule that helps to carry out the instructions stored in DNA.

Answer 32

RNA (ribonucleic acid)

Question 33

This is one of the types of RNA that copies the genetic information from DNA and takes it to the parts of the cell where proteins are made.

Answer 33

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Question 34

This is the one of the types of RNA that brings the building blocks (amino acids) to the place where the protein is being assembled according to the instructions in the mRNA.

Answer 34

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Question 35

Are like tiny instructions or recipes. They are segments of DNA that carry the information needed to make specific proteins or perform certain functions in an organism. Each ___ determines a particular trait or characteristic, such as the color of your eyes or the shape of your nose.

Answer 35

Genes

Question 36

Are like packages that hold genes. They are thread-like structures made up of DNA and proteins. _______ are found in the nucleus of cells.

Answer 36

Chromosomes

Question 37

Humans have ____ pairs of chromosomes ( in total).

Answer 37

Humans > 23 pairs of chromosomes
Total > 46

Question 38

XY chromosomes for

Answer 38

Male

Question 39

XX chromosomes for

Answer 39

Female

Question 40

Is a broad term that refers to any change in anything over time.

Answer 40

Evolution

Question 41

Is the process of adjusting something to better its environment or situation.

Answer 41

Adaptation

Question 42

What are the eight characteristics of life of the acronym “Mrs. Gren”.

Answer 42

M - movement
> Motile - they use their own body to move or any direction to survive or find food.
> Non-motile - they do not use their body to move instead they make their own food (e.g. plants)

Reproduction
> Sexual reproduction - two parents
-> syngamy, gametes, isogamy, heterogamy, and oogamy

Sensitivity
> in biology refers to how an organism or a part of an organism can detect and respond to changes in its environment.

Growth
> Physical change
-> intussusception (growth of cells)
-> organogenesis (growth of organs)
-> accretion (growth of non-living matters)

Respiration 🫁
> Inhale and exhale 😮‍💨

Excretion
> Release of waste
-> Carbon dioxide (Animals & Humans)
-> Oxygen (Plants ☘️)

Nutrition
> Nutrients

Question 43

What are the three types of cells?

Answer 43

Animals, plants, and bacteria