Midterm 2 Flashcards
- What is photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy stored in glucose. It involves using carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen.
- Which organisms carry out photosynthesis?
Organisms that carry out photosynthesis include green plants, algae, and certain bacteria. These organisms contain chlorophyll or similar pigments that enable them to capture sunlight and convert it into energy through photosynthesis.
- Why is photosynthesis important?
Photosynthesis is essential because it is the primary source of organic matter and energy for nearly all life on Earth. It produces oxygen, which is necessary for the respiration of most organisms, and forms the basis of food chains in ecosystems.
- Explain and give examples of the following important terms: autotrophs, photoautotrophs, and heterotrophs
Autotrophs:organisms that produce their own food from inorganic substances. Examples include plants, algae, and certain bacteria.
Photoautotrophs: autotrophs that use sunlight to synthesize nutrients through photosynthesis. Examples are green plants, cyanobacteria, and algae.
Heterotrophs: organisms that cannot make their own food and must consume other organisms for energy. Examples include animals, fungi, and many bacteria.
- Where does photosynthesis take place in plants?
Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplasts, which are specialized organelles found mainly in the mesophyll cells of plant leaves.
- What is the mesophyll?
The mesophyll is the inner tissue of a leaf, where most photosynthesis occurs. It contains many chloroplasts that capture light energy and facilitate the production of glucose.
- What are stomata and what is their function?
Stomata are tiny pores located on the surface of leaves and stems. They regulate the exchange of gases by allowing carbon dioxide to enter the leaf and oxygen and water vapor to exit.
- Describe/draw the structure of a chloroplast
The chloroplast is a double-membrane-bound organelle
contains structures called thylakoids, arranged in stacks known as grana.
Surrounding the grana is a fluid-filled region called the stroma, which contains enzymes for the Calvin cycle.
define: thylakoids, grana, and stroma
Thylakoids:disk-like structures inside chloroplasts where light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur.
Grana: stacks of thylakoids found within chloroplasts.
Stroma: the fluid-filled space surrounding the grana in chloroplasts, where the Calvin cycle takes place to produce glucose.
- What equation describes photosynthesis? What gets oxidized there and what gets reduced?
6CO_2+6H2O+light energy→C6H12O6+6O2
water (H₂O) is oxidized to produce oxygen (O₂) and
carbon dioxide (CO₂) is reduced to form glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆).
- Sketch approximately the photosynthetic absorption spectrum for chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids
Chlorophyll an and b absorb blue and red light; carotenoids absorb blue-green light.
(For a drawing, chlorophyll a and b typically absorb light strongly in the blue and red regions of the spectrum but reflect green, while carotenoids absorb in the blue and reflect yellow to orange.)
- Based on q.11 – why the grass is green and red algae and carrots are red?
- Grass appears green because chlorophyll reflects green wavelengths of light, even though it absorbs red and blue light.
- Red algae are red because they contain pigments that absorb blue light and reflect red.
- Carrots are red/orange due to carotenoids, which reflect red to orange wavelengths.
- What is a function of chlorophyll a and what are the functions of auxiliary pigments?
Chlorophyll a plays the primary role in capturing light energy for photosynthesis.
Auxiliary pigments, like chlorophyll b and carotenoids, help capture additional light wavelengths that chlorophyll a cannot absorb effectively, broadening the range of light available for photosynthesis.
14a. What are the 2 stages of photosynthesis, and where do they take place?
The two stages of photosynthesis are:
1. The light-dependent reactions, which take place in the thylakoid membranes.
2.The Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions), which occurs in the stroma.
14b. What happens in these 2 stages? Mention the roles of NADPH and ATP.
- In the light-dependent reactions, sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll, splitting water molecules to produce oxygen, and generating energy-rich molecules, ATP and NADPH.
- In the Calvin cycle, ATP and NADPH are used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose through a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
- State the 3 key roles of cell division (i.e. why do we need cell division)
- Cell division is essential for growth, allowing organisms to increase in size by producing more cells.
- Cell division is necessary for the repair and replacement of damaged or dead cells.
- Cell division is crucial for reproduction, especially in single-celled organisms, where it enables the production of offspring.
Chromosomes
Chromosomes: Chromosomes are thread-like structures composed of DNA and proteins, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.
Genes
Genes: Genes are segments of DNA that contain instructions for the synthesis of proteins, which determine specific traits in an organisms.
Chromatin
Chromatin: Chromatin is the complex of DNA and protein found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, which condenses to form chromosomes during cell division.
Somatic cells
Somatic cells: Somatic cells are all body cells except for reproductive cells (gametes), and they have a full set of chromosomes.
Gametes
Gametes: Gametes are reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that contain half the number of chromosomes of somatic cells.
Sister chromatids
Sister chromatids: Sister chromatids are identical copies of a chromosome, connected at the centromere, formed during DNA replication.
Centromere
Centromere: The centromere is the region on a chromosome where sister chromatids are attached and where spindle fibers attach during cell division.
Mitosis
Mitosis: Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell
What are the two main parts of the cell cycle
Interphase and mitotic phase
The shortest part of the cell cycle consists of 2 phases, which are mitosis and cytokinesis
What happens in each of these phases
- Mitosis: The nucleus divides, distributing duplicated chromosomes evenly between two daughter nuclei.
- Cytokinesis: The cytoplasm divides, resulting in two separate daughter cells.
The longest part of the cell cycle consists of 3 phases, what are they?
What happens in each of these 3 phases?
- G1 phase: The cell grows, performs normal functions, and prepares for DNA replication.
- S phase: DNA is replicated, resulting in two identical sets of chromosomes.
- G2 phase: The cell continues to grow and prepares for mitosis by producing proteins and organelles needed for cell division.
5a. Why is it essential that chromosomes (DNA) replicate prior to cell division?
Chromosomes must replicate before cell division to ensure each daughter cell receives an identical set of genetic information, which is crucial for maintaining the organism’s functions and traits.
5b. How many chromosomes are there in human somatic cells?
How many chromosomes are found in human gametes?
46 in somatic cells
23 in gametes
6a. What is the function of the mitotic spindle?
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The mitotic spindle separates the duplicated chromosomes, ensuring each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes during cell division
6b. What is the mitotic spindle made of?
The mitotic spindle is made of microtubules, which are protein structures that help move chromosomes.
6c. What is a kinetochore and what is its function?
A kinetochore is a protein structure on the chromosome where spindle fibers attach during cell division. It helps pull the chromosomes apart to opposite poles of the cell.
- What are the stages/phases of mitosis? What key events occur in each phase?
- Prophase: Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes; the nuclear envelope begins to break down.
- Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the cell’s equatorial plane, connected to spindle fibers.
- Anaphase: Sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell.
- Telophase: Chromatids reach opposite poles, nuclear envelopes reform, and chromosomes de-condense.
- Cytokinesis: The cell’s cytoplasm divides, resulting in two separate daughter cells.
What is the division of the cytoplasm called? Why is it important?
It is called cytokinesis it’s important because it ensures that each daughter cell has enough cytoplasm and organelles to function independently
What is the cleavage furrow and how does it form?
The cleavage furrow is an indentation that forms in animal cells during cytokinesis it forms as Actin filaments contract around the center of the cell, pinching it into two separate cells
What is the cell plate and how does it form?
The cell plate is the structure that forms in plant cells during cytokinesis. It develops from vesicles produced by the Golgi apparatus which align at the centre of the cell to create a new cell wall dividing the cell into two.
What is the major differences between asexual and sexual reproduction?
Asexual reproduction involves a single parent and produces genetically identical offspring
Sexual reproduction requires two parents and produces genetically unique offspring due to the combination of genetic material
Heredity
The transmission of treats from parents to offspring
Variation
Differences in physical traits among individuals within a species
Genetics
The study of heredity and variation in organisms
Gene
A unit of heredity that codes for specific protein or trait
Gametes
Reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that carry half the genetic material of somatic cells
Chromosomes
Structures made of DNA that carry genetic information
Locus
The specific location of a gene on a chromosome
Clone
An organism or cell produced asexually that is genetically identical to the original
Life cycle
The series of stages and organism goes through from birth to reproduction and death
Homologous chromosomes
Chromosome pairs that have the same genes at the same loci, but may have different alleles
Karyotype
The number and visual appearance of chromosomes in a cell
Sex chromosomes
Chromosomes that determine the biological sex of a organism (X&Y in humans)
Autosomes
Non-sex chromosomes that carry jeans for traits unrelated to sex
Haploid cell
A cell with a single set of chromosomes as in gametes
Diploid cell
A cell with two sets of chromosomes one from each parent
Ploidy
The number of sets of chromosomes in a cell
Fertilization
Diffusion of gametes to form a zygote
Zygote
The cell formed when two gametes unite during fertilization
Alleles
Variance of a gene that lead to differences in traits
- What is the purpose of meiosis?
The purpose of meiosis is to produce gametes with half the number of chromosomes as somatic cells, enabling genetic diversity through recombination and reduction of chromosome number.
12a. Briefly describe what happens in Meiosis I and Meiosis II.
- Meiosis I: Homologous chromosomes separate, producing two haploid cells with duplicated chromosomes
- Meiosis II: Sister chromatids separate, resulting in four haploid daughter cells, each genetically unique.
12b. How many daughter cells are there after meiosis I?
What is the ploidy of these cells?
12c. How many daughter cells are there after meiosis II?
What is the ploidy of these cells?
B.2 diploid
C. 4 haploid
13a. Explain what crossing over is.
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Crossing over is the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis, resulting in new combinations of alleles
13b. Why is crossing over important?
Crossing over increases genetic diversity by producing new combinations of genes in offspring.
13c. What 2 other mechanisms besides crossing over generate genetic variability in sexual reproduction?
- Independent assortment of chromosomes during meiosis.
- Random fertilization of gametes.
Why is genetic variability important?
Genetic variability enhances a populations ability to adapt to environmental changes in increasing survival and reproductive success
What are the significant differences between mitosis and meiosis?
Mitosis produces two genetically identical, diploid cells involves one division cycle and is used for growth and repair
Meiosis produces for genetically unique haploid cells has two division cycles and is used for sexual reproduction
Based on char gaff’s rule (and the resulting complementary base pairing) if 10% of DNA bases are a (add nine) how many percent will be C (cytosine) G (guanine) and T (Thymine)
Cytosine: if 10% of the bases are Adenine then Thymine will also be 10%. That leaves 80% of the bases to be equally split between Cytosine and Guanine meaning cytosine will be 40%.
Guanine: since Cytosine is 40% Guanine, which pairs with Cytosine will also be 40%
Thymine: will match the percentage of Adenine so it will be 10%
2a. Which of the four bases (A, C, G, T) are purines, and which are pyrimidines? How do purines differ from pyrimidines?
Adenine (A) and guanine (G) are purines, which have a two-ring structure. Cytosine (C) and thymine (T) are pyrimidines, which have a single-ring structure. Purines are larger molecules than pyrimidines because of their double-ring structure
2b. If I have a pyrimidine at a given location on one strand, what would match it from the other strand, purine or pyrimidine?
If there is a pyrimidine on one strand, it will pair with a purine on the other strand, as purines and pyrimidines pair specifically to maintain a consistent width in the DNA helix. Specifically, cytosine (a pyrimidine) pairs with guanine (a purine), and thymine (a pyrimidine) pairs with adenine (a purine).
- In the unlabelled graph 16.7, what holds the two strands together?
Hydrogen bonds hold the two strands of DNA together. Specifically, hydrogen bonds form between hydrogen and oxygen atoms or hydrogen and nitrogen atoms within the bases.
Identify on this unlabelled graph whether a selected base is A, C, G, or T.
To identify whether a given base is A, C, G, or T, you can count the hydrogen bonds: adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) through two hydrogen bonds, while cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G) through three hydrogen bonds.
How can you tell whether a given pair is A-T or C-G?
You can identify a pair as A-T if it has two hydrogen bonds and as C-G if it has three hydrogen bonds.
Hint - In a given pair, which is purine and which is pyrimidine?
In each base pair, one base is a purine (A or G) and the other is a pyrimidine (T or C). This pairing maintains a consistent width in the DNA double helix.
4a. What 3 models were originally proposed for DNA replication?
- The conservative model, where the original DNA molecule remains intact, and an entirely new molecule is produced.
- The semiconservative model, where each of the two daughter molecules has one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.
- The dispersive model, where each strand of both daughter molecules contain s a mix of old and new DNA.
4b. In Fig. 16.11, explain what would be this experiment’s expectations – how many bars in the centrifuge tube (corresponding to older (heavier) or lighter (younger) DNA) after the 2nd bacterial division for each of these 3 models, and which of the 3 models was proven correct by this experiment.
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• Conservative model: Expect two bars—one heavy (old) and one light (new).
• Semiconservative model: Expect one intermediate band and one light band.
• Dispersive model: Expect only intermediate-weight DNA.
The semiconservative model was proven correct, as each DNA molecule contains one old strand and one new strand after replication
- Describe the chromosome of a bacterium like E. coli.
The chromosome of E. coli is a single, circular DNA molecule. Unlike eukaryotic chromosomes, it is not enclosed in a nucleus but is located in the nucleoid region of the cell.
- What type of macromolecules control the organization of chromosomes in a cell (where they are found, how they are folded or unfolded, how they are accessed for obtaining genetic information)?
Proteins, specifically histone proteins, control the organization of chromosomes in a cell. These proteins help package DNA into a compact structure, allowing it to be folded or unfolded as necessary for gene expression and replication.