BIO 1500 FINAL QUIZ STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
What are the structural differences between prokaryote and eukaryote cells, and which
organisms fall into the two categories? - ANSWER-Prokaryotic cells are in animals and
humans. They contain most of the same components as eukaryotes, however; they
contain a nucleoid that stores DNA. Eukaryotic cells are found in plants and bacteria.
These don't contain a nucleus and have a squarer structure with a thick cell wall.
What are the differences between animal and plant cells? - ANSWER-Animal cells have
centrioles that are associated with microtubule organizing centers, also known as the
centrosome. Additionally, plant cells and animal cells differ in different parts that make
them up. Animal cells have centrosome and lysosomes, while plant cells have cell walls,
chloroplasts, and a large vacuole.
Plasma membrane - ANSWER-The plasma membrane falls between the inside and
outside of the cell, separating the two. It is in control of the passage of molecules, water,
ions, and oxygen, both to and from the cell. Wastes also leave the cell through the
plasma membrane.
Cell wall - ANSWER-The cell wall is similar to a plasma membrane as it covers the
outside of the cell. It also provides support to the cell and is the reason for its square
shape. This is found in plants only.
Ribosomes - ANSWER-Ribosomes receive orders for protein synthesis as they translate
messages from mRNA
Cytoplasm - ANSWER-Contains proteins, glucose, polysaccharides, and other organic
molecules to create a semi-solid consistency in order to suspend organelles.
Cytosol - ANSWER-Gel like substance within the cytoplasm that helps envelope
organelles
Flagella - ANSWER-enable the entire cell to move
cytoskeleton - ANSWER-Maintain cell shape, secure organelles, allow cytoplasm and
vesicles to move, enables unicellular organisms to move independently
nucleus - ANSWER-Houses DNA and directs the synthesis of ribosomes and proteins
Many lessons about genes imply that for each gene, two alleles exist in the population. Is
that so? If not, how would you describe this relationship? [Note, this question is about
populations, not individuals as the previous one was] - ANSWER-there is not necessarily
two alleles for each gene but alleles differ from person to person meaning that although
one individual can have a maximum of two, there are infinitely many different base pairs
because two alleles between dna and individuals will not be the same.
,What are the four "steps" (or postulates) of natural selection? Describe them, using a
(hypothetical) example. - ANSWER-1. there is a variety of dolphins. some are pink and
some are blue
2. the offspring are a mix up of pink and blue, and there is a pretty even distribution of the
two colors
3. for some reason, the sharks do not like the color pink and tend to either eat or
seriously injure the dolphins who are pink.
4. as a result, there will one day only be blue dolphins since the pink dolphins have
specifically been targeted, making them unable to reproduce.
Think about the definitions of fitness and adaptation. How do these evolutionary
definitions differ from the everyday use of these words? How can this be misleading? -
ANSWER-fitness regards a living thing's ability to survive and reproduce in an
environment adaptation whereas to us fitness means the general health of a person.
adaptation is the trait that increases fitness and is produced by natural selection, it is not
a sensory adaptation like we as humans have where our pupils become smaller in bright
light.
Think of the definition of fitness - how could you measure the fitness of an individual? -
ANSWER-you could measure the fitness of an individual by determining how well they
are able to survive and adapt in a new environment, somewhat like the show survivor
Using the definition of Evolution: How would you define or describe what a "mechanism
of evolution" is? - ANSWER-a mechanism of evolution is something that facilitates
evolution but is not the main reason for it. for example, natural selection is a mechanism
of evolution and it makes a huge difference, but it is not the only thing that impacts
evolution as a whole.
What evolutionary innovation lead to the great oxygenation event? What type of
organisms existed on earth before that? Why did this innovation lead to a 'revolution'? -
ANSWER-Cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis as it was 10-20x more efficient than
heterotrophs. Autotrophs spread fast and allowed for a quicker production of oxygen.
Aside from building minerals - what were other consequences of this event? How did
they affect life on earth, then, and today? - ANSWER-The ozone layer formed which is
what protects us from UV-B rays that are harmful. There was also a global mass
extinction of cells as they had not yet evolved to an oxygenized atmosphere.
It seems counterintuitive to us today that O2 has negative effects on life. Explain how the
examples that are mentioned in the video provide evidence for this. - ANSWER-The
development of high levels of oxygen caused a mass extinction among cells and brought
with it the snowball ice age following the combination of oxygen and methane. Both
events were catastrophic to life forms on earth and the cyanobacteria that caused it.
Why are cells so small? - ANSWER-Cells are small because they are the basic building
blocks of any living thing. They have to be small so that molecules can enter and diffuse
in them quickly and efficiently, as diffusion becomes less effective in square sizing.
golgi apparatus - ANSWER-Sorts, packages, tags lipids and proteins so that they can
travel to their destination
, endoplasmic reticulum - ANSWER-Modifies proteins and synthesizes lipids
mitochondria - ANSWER-ATP production and cellular respiration
chloroplasts - ANSWER-carry out photosynthesis
lysosome - ANSWER-destroy pathogens
endomembrane system - ANSWER-Works together to modify, package, and transport
lipids and proteins
vesicles - ANSWER-Storage and transport, present in animal and plant cells
vacuole - ANSWER-Storage and transport, present in animal and plant cells
What kinds of selection pressures influence body size in various animals? i.e. What
might be benefits of being large or being small? Come up with several ideas, and for
each one, indicate whether selection would favor large or small body size. - ANSWER-In
larger animals, there is a benefit to predation, warmth in colder climates, and mating.
This can cause issues with speed at which they move and food necessities.
In smaller animals, some have the benefit of being able to fly, not needing as much food,
and being able to use their size as an advantage against a larger predator. It can be a
problem when it comes to mating and can also cause them their own problems with
predation.
The video mentioned that both physiological and genetic constraints could limit an
organism's response to selection pressure. Explain in your own words what this means. -
ANSWER-Some things that are a result of natural selection that may have been adapted
to help the organisms survive can also cause issues for it. For example, smaller insects
may be getting eaten more than larger insects so after multiple generations, there is a
majority of larger insects. While this is helpful for their survival from predators, it will in
turn be harder for them to move around as easily and they will require a larger food
intake.
What are the main differences between the insect and the mammal/human respiratory
system? - ANSWER-The insect respiratory system does not use blood to transport
oxygen. Insects have tracheas that bring oxygen directly into the cells, and these are
accessible throughout the body, instead of the human/mammal respiratory system that is
only able to take in oxygen through its nose and mouth.
What is the main mechanism of transporting O2 in the insect's body? Why does this
mechanism suggest that insect body size might be limited by the respiratory system? -
ANSWER-The main mechanism of transporting oxygen in insects is through the tracheas
and this is done by spiracles that are located on the outside of the insects body. Insect
size may be limited by this because insects that are large end up pumping air out of
these spiracles while they are physically active.
Assuming that insect body size is limited by the respiratory system: Describe the effect
that higher O2 levels would have on the evolution of body size? - ANSWER-Higher
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
What are the structural differences between prokaryote and eukaryote cells, and which
organisms fall into the two categories? - ANSWER-Prokaryotic cells are in animals and
humans. They contain most of the same components as eukaryotes, however; they
contain a nucleoid that stores DNA. Eukaryotic cells are found in plants and bacteria.
These don't contain a nucleus and have a squarer structure with a thick cell wall.
What are the differences between animal and plant cells? - ANSWER-Animal cells have
centrioles that are associated with microtubule organizing centers, also known as the
centrosome. Additionally, plant cells and animal cells differ in different parts that make
them up. Animal cells have centrosome and lysosomes, while plant cells have cell walls,
chloroplasts, and a large vacuole.
Plasma membrane - ANSWER-The plasma membrane falls between the inside and
outside of the cell, separating the two. It is in control of the passage of molecules, water,
ions, and oxygen, both to and from the cell. Wastes also leave the cell through the
plasma membrane.
Cell wall - ANSWER-The cell wall is similar to a plasma membrane as it covers the
outside of the cell. It also provides support to the cell and is the reason for its square
shape. This is found in plants only.
Ribosomes - ANSWER-Ribosomes receive orders for protein synthesis as they translate
messages from mRNA
Cytoplasm - ANSWER-Contains proteins, glucose, polysaccharides, and other organic
molecules to create a semi-solid consistency in order to suspend organelles.
Cytosol - ANSWER-Gel like substance within the cytoplasm that helps envelope
organelles
Flagella - ANSWER-enable the entire cell to move
cytoskeleton - ANSWER-Maintain cell shape, secure organelles, allow cytoplasm and
vesicles to move, enables unicellular organisms to move independently
nucleus - ANSWER-Houses DNA and directs the synthesis of ribosomes and proteins
Many lessons about genes imply that for each gene, two alleles exist in the population. Is
that so? If not, how would you describe this relationship? [Note, this question is about
populations, not individuals as the previous one was] - ANSWER-there is not necessarily
two alleles for each gene but alleles differ from person to person meaning that although
one individual can have a maximum of two, there are infinitely many different base pairs
because two alleles between dna and individuals will not be the same.
,What are the four "steps" (or postulates) of natural selection? Describe them, using a
(hypothetical) example. - ANSWER-1. there is a variety of dolphins. some are pink and
some are blue
2. the offspring are a mix up of pink and blue, and there is a pretty even distribution of the
two colors
3. for some reason, the sharks do not like the color pink and tend to either eat or
seriously injure the dolphins who are pink.
4. as a result, there will one day only be blue dolphins since the pink dolphins have
specifically been targeted, making them unable to reproduce.
Think about the definitions of fitness and adaptation. How do these evolutionary
definitions differ from the everyday use of these words? How can this be misleading? -
ANSWER-fitness regards a living thing's ability to survive and reproduce in an
environment adaptation whereas to us fitness means the general health of a person.
adaptation is the trait that increases fitness and is produced by natural selection, it is not
a sensory adaptation like we as humans have where our pupils become smaller in bright
light.
Think of the definition of fitness - how could you measure the fitness of an individual? -
ANSWER-you could measure the fitness of an individual by determining how well they
are able to survive and adapt in a new environment, somewhat like the show survivor
Using the definition of Evolution: How would you define or describe what a "mechanism
of evolution" is? - ANSWER-a mechanism of evolution is something that facilitates
evolution but is not the main reason for it. for example, natural selection is a mechanism
of evolution and it makes a huge difference, but it is not the only thing that impacts
evolution as a whole.
What evolutionary innovation lead to the great oxygenation event? What type of
organisms existed on earth before that? Why did this innovation lead to a 'revolution'? -
ANSWER-Cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis as it was 10-20x more efficient than
heterotrophs. Autotrophs spread fast and allowed for a quicker production of oxygen.
Aside from building minerals - what were other consequences of this event? How did
they affect life on earth, then, and today? - ANSWER-The ozone layer formed which is
what protects us from UV-B rays that are harmful. There was also a global mass
extinction of cells as they had not yet evolved to an oxygenized atmosphere.
It seems counterintuitive to us today that O2 has negative effects on life. Explain how the
examples that are mentioned in the video provide evidence for this. - ANSWER-The
development of high levels of oxygen caused a mass extinction among cells and brought
with it the snowball ice age following the combination of oxygen and methane. Both
events were catastrophic to life forms on earth and the cyanobacteria that caused it.
Why are cells so small? - ANSWER-Cells are small because they are the basic building
blocks of any living thing. They have to be small so that molecules can enter and diffuse
in them quickly and efficiently, as diffusion becomes less effective in square sizing.
golgi apparatus - ANSWER-Sorts, packages, tags lipids and proteins so that they can
travel to their destination
, endoplasmic reticulum - ANSWER-Modifies proteins and synthesizes lipids
mitochondria - ANSWER-ATP production and cellular respiration
chloroplasts - ANSWER-carry out photosynthesis
lysosome - ANSWER-destroy pathogens
endomembrane system - ANSWER-Works together to modify, package, and transport
lipids and proteins
vesicles - ANSWER-Storage and transport, present in animal and plant cells
vacuole - ANSWER-Storage and transport, present in animal and plant cells
What kinds of selection pressures influence body size in various animals? i.e. What
might be benefits of being large or being small? Come up with several ideas, and for
each one, indicate whether selection would favor large or small body size. - ANSWER-In
larger animals, there is a benefit to predation, warmth in colder climates, and mating.
This can cause issues with speed at which they move and food necessities.
In smaller animals, some have the benefit of being able to fly, not needing as much food,
and being able to use their size as an advantage against a larger predator. It can be a
problem when it comes to mating and can also cause them their own problems with
predation.
The video mentioned that both physiological and genetic constraints could limit an
organism's response to selection pressure. Explain in your own words what this means. -
ANSWER-Some things that are a result of natural selection that may have been adapted
to help the organisms survive can also cause issues for it. For example, smaller insects
may be getting eaten more than larger insects so after multiple generations, there is a
majority of larger insects. While this is helpful for their survival from predators, it will in
turn be harder for them to move around as easily and they will require a larger food
intake.
What are the main differences between the insect and the mammal/human respiratory
system? - ANSWER-The insect respiratory system does not use blood to transport
oxygen. Insects have tracheas that bring oxygen directly into the cells, and these are
accessible throughout the body, instead of the human/mammal respiratory system that is
only able to take in oxygen through its nose and mouth.
What is the main mechanism of transporting O2 in the insect's body? Why does this
mechanism suggest that insect body size might be limited by the respiratory system? -
ANSWER-The main mechanism of transporting oxygen in insects is through the tracheas
and this is done by spiracles that are located on the outside of the insects body. Insect
size may be limited by this because insects that are large end up pumping air out of
these spiracles while they are physically active.
Assuming that insect body size is limited by the respiratory system: Describe the effect
that higher O2 levels would have on the evolution of body size? - ANSWER-Higher
