General Info

Question 1

What are the four main stages of cell evolution?

Answer 1

The four main stages are: Abiotic Synthesis, Polymer Formation, Protobionts Formation, and Self-replicating Molecules.

Question 2

What is Abiotic Synthesis?

Answer 2

The formation of small organic molecules, such as amino acids, from non-living sources.

Question 3

What is Polymer Formation?

Answer 3

The joining of small molecules into larger polymers, like proteins, essential for cellular functions.

Question 4

What are Protobionts?

Answer 4

Droplet-like structures with membranes that maintain a distinct internal chemistry.

Question 5

What are self-replicating molecules?

Answer 5

Molecules such as RNA and DNA that enable the possibility of inheritance.

Question 6

What are the main characteristics of Eukaryotic cells?

Answer 6

Eukaryotic cells include protists, plants, fungi, and animals.

Question 7

What are the main characteristics of Prokaryotic cells?

Answer 7

Prokaryotic cells consist of bacteria and archaea.

Question 8

How do eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells differ in size?

Answer 8

Prokaryotic cells typically range from 1 to 10 μm, whereas eukaryotic cells range from 100 to 1000 μm.

Question 9

What is the genetic material structure in prokaryotes?

Answer 9

Prokaryotes have circular DNA that is not membrane-bound.

Question 10

What is the genetic material structure in eukaryotes?

Answer 10

Eukaryotes have linear DNA contained within a membrane-bound nucleus.

Question 11

How do prokaryotes reproduce?

Answer 11

Prokaryotes reproduce via binary fission.

Question 12

How do eukaryotes reproduce?

Answer 12

Eukaryotes undergo mitosis and meiosis for cell division.

Question 13

What is the main metabolic process for eukaryotes?

Answer 13

Eukaryotes predominantly rely on aerobic metabolism for cellular respiration.

Question 14

What are obligate aerobes?

Answer 14

Prokaryotes that require oxygen to survive.

Question 15

What are facultative anaerobes?

Answer 15

Prokaryotes that can survive with or without oxygen.

Question 16

What are obligate anaerobes?

Answer 16

Prokaryotes that cannot survive in oxygen.

Question 17

What is a key difference in cell wall composition between bacteria and archaea?

Answer 17

Bacterial cell walls are made of peptidoglycan, while archaeal cell walls do not contain peptidoglycan.

Question 18

What is the significance of Gram staining?

Answer 18

Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer and stain purple, while gram-negative bacteria have a thin layer and stain pink.

Question 19

What are viruses?

Answer 19

Structures containing either single or double-stranded DNA or RNA, encased in a protective protein coat called a capsid.

Question 20

What is a viral envelope?

Answer 20

An additional layer derived from the host cell’s membrane, aiding in evasion of the host’s immune response.

Question 21

How do viruses replicate?

Answer 21

Viruses hijack host cells to replicate, using the host’s machinery to produce new viral components.

Question 22

What is the lytic cycle?

Answer 22

A viral life cycle where the virus injects its genetic material into the host cell, leading to immediate production of new viruses and eventual lysis of the host cell.

Question 23

What is the lysogenic cycle?

Answer 23

A viral life cycle where the viral genetic material integrates into the host’s genome, remaining dormant until activated.

Question 24

What are prions?

Answer 24

Infectious proteins that can induce abnormal folding of normal cellular proteins, leading to disease.

Question 25

What are the main nutritional modes of protists?

Answer 25

Protists can be classified as heterotrophic or mixotrophic.

Question 26

What are the major clades of protists?

Answer 26

Diplomonadida, Parabasala, Euglenozoans, Alveolates, Stramenopiles, Cercozoans, Radiolarians, and Amoebozoans.

Question 27

What distinguishes nonvascular plants from vascular plants?

Answer 27

Nonvascular plants lack a vascular system, relying on diffusion and osmosis for nutrient transport.

Question 28

What are the characteristics of vascular plants without seeds?

Answer 28

They possess vascular tissues and true roots, leaves, and exhibit alternation of generations.

Question 29

What are seed-producing vascular plants?

Answer 29

This category includes gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Question 30

What are the main characteristics of fungi?

Answer 30

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms with cell walls made of chitin, mostly multicellular, and heterotrophic.

Question 31

What are the four main nutritional strategies of fungi?

Answer 31

Parasitic, predatory, mutualistic, and saprobic.

Question 32

What are the general characteristics of animals?

Answer 32

Animals are eukaryotic, multicellular, heterotrophic organisms that exhibit mobility and reproduce sexually.

Question 33

What are the main phyla of invertebrates?

Answer 33

Key phyla include Porifera, Cnidaria, and Arthropoda.

Question 34

What are the defining features of chordates?

Answer 34

Chordates possess a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal clefts, and a post-anal tail during development.

Question 35

What do chordates possess during development?

Answer 35

Chordates possess a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal clefts, and a post-anal tail.

Question 36

What distinguishes craniates from chordates?

Answer 36

Craniates have a more complex structure, including a skull and a higher metabolic rate.

Question 37

What defines vertebrates?

Answer 37

Vertebrates are craniates with a backbone and more advanced organ systems, including a heart and kidneys.

Question 38

What evolutionary advancement do gnathostomes have?

Answer 38

The evolution of jaws in gnathostomes allowed for more efficient feeding strategies.

Question 39

How did tetrapods adapt to land?

Answer 39

Tetrapods adapted to land with limbs and specialized structures for locomotion and support.

Question 40

Can you provide an example of tetrapod adaptation?

Answer 40

Salamanders are tetrapods that retain aquatic features, while frogs have adapted to terrestrial life. ## Footnote Example of tetrapod adaptation.

Question 41

What characterizes amniotes?

Answer 41

Amniotes are characterized by the presence of an amniotic egg, allowing reproduction in terrestrial environments.

Question 42

What are key features of mammals?

Answer 42

Mammals possess mammary glands, hair, and advanced respiratory systems to support high metabolic rates.

Question 43

What do mammals and birds have in common regarding temperature regulation?

Answer 43

Both mammals and birds are endothermic, maintaining stable body temperatures regardless of the environment.

Question 44

What adaptations do mammals exhibit?

Answer 44

Mammals exhibit diverse adaptations, including differentiated teeth and extended parental care.

Question 45

What is the significance of the four-chambered heart in mammals and birds?

Answer 45

The evolution of the four-chambered heart in mammals and birds enhances oxygen transport efficiency.

Question 46

Can you provide examples of mammalian adaptations?

Answer 46

Kangaroos are marsupials with unique reproductive strategies, while cats exhibit typical mammalian traits. ## Footnote Example of mammalian adaptations.