Biology 1410 midterm 1 questions and
answers | latest update | 2024/2025 |
graded A+
How does the structure of water contribute to its unique properties in biological systems?
✔✔ Water's polarity and ability to form hydrogen bonds contribute to its properties like
cohesion, adhesion, high specific heat, and its role as a universal solvent.
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in living organisms?
✔✔ Carbohydrates primarily provide energy for cellular processes and serve as structural
components in cell walls and exoskeletons.
Why is the phospholipid bilayer critical for cell membrane structure?
✔✔ The phospholipid bilayer provides a semi-permeable barrier that regulates the passage of
substances in and out of the cell, maintaining homeostasis.
What is the role of ATP in cellular metabolism?
✔✔ ATP acts as the main energy carrier in cells, providing the energy necessary for various
cellular functions, including muscle contraction, active transport, and biosynthesis.
1
,How does the structure of DNA enable it to store genetic information?
✔✔ DNA's double-helix structure, with complementary base pairs, allows for accurate
replication and the encoding of genetic information.
What is the function of ribosomes in protein synthesis?
✔✔ Ribosomes translate mRNA into polypeptide chains, assembling amino acids in the correct
sequence to form functional proteins.
How do organelles within eukaryotic cells interact to support cellular function?
✔✔ Organelles like the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria
work together by synthesizing proteins, packaging them, and providing energy for cell activities.
What is the role of mitosis in multicellular organisms?
✔✔ Mitosis allows for growth, development, and tissue repair by ensuring that daughter cells
receive an identical set of chromosomes.
How do changes in pH affect enzyme activity?
2
,✔✔ Changes in pH can alter the shape of an enzyme’s active site, reducing its ability to bind
substrates and catalyze reactions effectively.
What is the significance of the fluid mosaic model in explaining cell membrane structure?
✔✔ The fluid mosaic model describes the cell membrane as a dynamic, flexible structure
composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins that move laterally, allowing for
transport and communication.
How do cells maintain osmotic balance in varying environments?
✔✔ Cells use osmoregulation mechanisms such as active transport and the selective permeability
of the cell membrane to control water and solute levels, preventing lysis or shrinkage.
What is the difference between endocytosis and exocytosis?
✔✔ Endocytosis involves the cell engulfing external materials into vesicles, while exocytosis
involves the release of substances from vesicles to the cell's exterior.
Why are hydrogen bonds important in the structure of proteins and nucleic acids?
✔✔ Hydrogen bonds stabilize the secondary and tertiary structures of proteins and help maintain
the double-helix structure of DNA, contributing to its function and stability.
3
, What is the importance of cellular respiration in the production of ATP?
✔✔ Cellular respiration converts glucose into ATP through processes like glycolysis, the citric
acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, providing energy for cellular activities.
How do chloroplasts contribute to energy production in plant cells?
✔✔ Chloroplasts carry out photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy stored
in glucose, which can be used for growth and metabolism.
What is the function of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells?
✔✔ The cytoskeleton provides structural support, facilitates cell movement, and assists in
intracellular transport by maintaining the cell's shape and organizing its contents.
How do mutations in DNA affect protein synthesis?
✔✔ Mutations in DNA can change the sequence of nucleotides, leading to the production of
altered proteins that may function improperly or not at all, potentially causing diseases.
What is the significance of meiosis in sexual reproduction?
4
answers | latest update | 2024/2025 |
graded A+
How does the structure of water contribute to its unique properties in biological systems?
✔✔ Water's polarity and ability to form hydrogen bonds contribute to its properties like
cohesion, adhesion, high specific heat, and its role as a universal solvent.
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in living organisms?
✔✔ Carbohydrates primarily provide energy for cellular processes and serve as structural
components in cell walls and exoskeletons.
Why is the phospholipid bilayer critical for cell membrane structure?
✔✔ The phospholipid bilayer provides a semi-permeable barrier that regulates the passage of
substances in and out of the cell, maintaining homeostasis.
What is the role of ATP in cellular metabolism?
✔✔ ATP acts as the main energy carrier in cells, providing the energy necessary for various
cellular functions, including muscle contraction, active transport, and biosynthesis.
1
,How does the structure of DNA enable it to store genetic information?
✔✔ DNA's double-helix structure, with complementary base pairs, allows for accurate
replication and the encoding of genetic information.
What is the function of ribosomes in protein synthesis?
✔✔ Ribosomes translate mRNA into polypeptide chains, assembling amino acids in the correct
sequence to form functional proteins.
How do organelles within eukaryotic cells interact to support cellular function?
✔✔ Organelles like the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria
work together by synthesizing proteins, packaging them, and providing energy for cell activities.
What is the role of mitosis in multicellular organisms?
✔✔ Mitosis allows for growth, development, and tissue repair by ensuring that daughter cells
receive an identical set of chromosomes.
How do changes in pH affect enzyme activity?
2
,✔✔ Changes in pH can alter the shape of an enzyme’s active site, reducing its ability to bind
substrates and catalyze reactions effectively.
What is the significance of the fluid mosaic model in explaining cell membrane structure?
✔✔ The fluid mosaic model describes the cell membrane as a dynamic, flexible structure
composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins that move laterally, allowing for
transport and communication.
How do cells maintain osmotic balance in varying environments?
✔✔ Cells use osmoregulation mechanisms such as active transport and the selective permeability
of the cell membrane to control water and solute levels, preventing lysis or shrinkage.
What is the difference between endocytosis and exocytosis?
✔✔ Endocytosis involves the cell engulfing external materials into vesicles, while exocytosis
involves the release of substances from vesicles to the cell's exterior.
Why are hydrogen bonds important in the structure of proteins and nucleic acids?
✔✔ Hydrogen bonds stabilize the secondary and tertiary structures of proteins and help maintain
the double-helix structure of DNA, contributing to its function and stability.
3
, What is the importance of cellular respiration in the production of ATP?
✔✔ Cellular respiration converts glucose into ATP through processes like glycolysis, the citric
acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, providing energy for cellular activities.
How do chloroplasts contribute to energy production in plant cells?
✔✔ Chloroplasts carry out photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy stored
in glucose, which can be used for growth and metabolism.
What is the function of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells?
✔✔ The cytoskeleton provides structural support, facilitates cell movement, and assists in
intracellular transport by maintaining the cell's shape and organizing its contents.
How do mutations in DNA affect protein synthesis?
✔✔ Mutations in DNA can change the sequence of nucleotides, leading to the production of
altered proteins that may function improperly or not at all, potentially causing diseases.
What is the significance of meiosis in sexual reproduction?
4
