BIOL 204 Athabasca U- Midterm
Questions and Answers | Latest Version
| 2024/2025 | 100% Pass
What is the role of the endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotic cells?
✔✔ The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the synthesis of proteins and lipids, acting as a site
for the folding and modification of proteins.
How do plasmids function in genetic engineering?
✔✔ Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that can be manipulated to carry foreign genes
into host cells, enabling the production of recombinant proteins.
What is the process of cell differentiation, and why is it important?
✔✔ Cell differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells develop into distinct cell
types, allowing for the formation of specialized tissues and organs.
How does the structure of a neuron facilitate its function?
✔✔ Neurons have long axons and dendrites that allow for the transmission of electrical signals
over distances, enabling communication within the nervous system.
1
,What is the purpose of using model organisms in biological research?
✔✔ Model organisms are used to study biological processes and diseases, as they share genetic,
biological, and behavioral characteristics with humans, allowing for insights into human health.
How do viruses differ from bacteria in terms of structure and reproduction?
✔✔ Viruses are acellular and require a host cell to replicate, while bacteria are single-celled
organisms that can reproduce independently through binary fission.
What mechanisms do plants use to adapt to varying environmental conditions?
✔✔ Plants use mechanisms such as phenotypic plasticity, altered growth patterns, and
physiological changes to adapt to fluctuations in temperature, light, and water availability.
How does genetic recombination during meiosis contribute to genetic diversity?
✔✔ Genetic recombination during meiosis creates new allele combinations in gametes,
increasing genetic diversity in populations through independent assortment and crossing over.
What are the primary roles of lipids in biological systems?
2
, ✔✔ Lipids serve as energy storage molecules, components of cell membranes, and signaling
molecules, playing crucial roles in maintaining cellular structure and function.
How do competitive and non-competitive inhibitors affect enzyme activity?
✔✔ Competitive inhibitors bind to the active site of an enzyme, blocking substrate access, while
non-competitive inhibitors bind elsewhere, altering enzyme shape and function.
What is the significance of the carbon cycle in ecosystems?
✔✔ The carbon cycle regulates atmospheric CO2 levels, supporting life by facilitating
photosynthesis in plants and providing carbon for organic compounds.
How do fungi contribute to nutrient cycling in ecosystems?
✔✔ Fungi decompose organic matter, breaking down complex substances into simpler
compounds, thereby recycling nutrients and enriching the soil.
What adaptations allow animals to thrive in extreme environments?
✔✔ Animals in extreme environments exhibit adaptations such as physiological tolerance,
specialized metabolic pathways, and unique reproductive strategies to survive harsh conditions.
3
Questions and Answers | Latest Version
| 2024/2025 | 100% Pass
What is the role of the endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotic cells?
✔✔ The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the synthesis of proteins and lipids, acting as a site
for the folding and modification of proteins.
How do plasmids function in genetic engineering?
✔✔ Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that can be manipulated to carry foreign genes
into host cells, enabling the production of recombinant proteins.
What is the process of cell differentiation, and why is it important?
✔✔ Cell differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells develop into distinct cell
types, allowing for the formation of specialized tissues and organs.
How does the structure of a neuron facilitate its function?
✔✔ Neurons have long axons and dendrites that allow for the transmission of electrical signals
over distances, enabling communication within the nervous system.
1
,What is the purpose of using model organisms in biological research?
✔✔ Model organisms are used to study biological processes and diseases, as they share genetic,
biological, and behavioral characteristics with humans, allowing for insights into human health.
How do viruses differ from bacteria in terms of structure and reproduction?
✔✔ Viruses are acellular and require a host cell to replicate, while bacteria are single-celled
organisms that can reproduce independently through binary fission.
What mechanisms do plants use to adapt to varying environmental conditions?
✔✔ Plants use mechanisms such as phenotypic plasticity, altered growth patterns, and
physiological changes to adapt to fluctuations in temperature, light, and water availability.
How does genetic recombination during meiosis contribute to genetic diversity?
✔✔ Genetic recombination during meiosis creates new allele combinations in gametes,
increasing genetic diversity in populations through independent assortment and crossing over.
What are the primary roles of lipids in biological systems?
2
, ✔✔ Lipids serve as energy storage molecules, components of cell membranes, and signaling
molecules, playing crucial roles in maintaining cellular structure and function.
How do competitive and non-competitive inhibitors affect enzyme activity?
✔✔ Competitive inhibitors bind to the active site of an enzyme, blocking substrate access, while
non-competitive inhibitors bind elsewhere, altering enzyme shape and function.
What is the significance of the carbon cycle in ecosystems?
✔✔ The carbon cycle regulates atmospheric CO2 levels, supporting life by facilitating
photosynthesis in plants and providing carbon for organic compounds.
How do fungi contribute to nutrient cycling in ecosystems?
✔✔ Fungi decompose organic matter, breaking down complex substances into simpler
compounds, thereby recycling nutrients and enriching the soil.
What adaptations allow animals to thrive in extreme environments?
✔✔ Animals in extreme environments exhibit adaptations such as physiological tolerance,
specialized metabolic pathways, and unique reproductive strategies to survive harsh conditions.
3
