Test Compilation BIO 102 12

Biology Study Summary

This summary covers key biological concepts across various domains, including human physiology, plant biology, animal characteristics, and microbiology, as presented in a series of quiz questions.

I. Human Biology & Physiology

• Circulatory System:
  • De-oxygenated blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs via pulmonary circulation.
  • The coronary circulation provides blood supply directly to the muscles of the heart.
  • Oxygenated blood returns to the heart from the lungs through the pulmonary vein, which then pumps it throughout the body.
• Respiratory System:
  • The pharynx is part of the upper airway, not the lower airway of the lung. The lower airway includes structures like the trachea, bronchioles, and alveoli.
• Nutrition & Blood Components:
  • Iron is a mineral salt required for the formation of haem in haemoglobin.
  • Animals take in food for growth, raw material for building and tissue replacement, and to provide energy, but NOT for the maintenance of poor health.
• Organic Molecules:
  • When one molecule of glycerol condenses with three molecules of fatty acids to form a triglyceride (a type of lipid), water is removed as a byproduct (dehydration synthesis).

II. Plant Biology & Reproduction

• Plant Structure & Growth:
  • The apical meristem is responsible for primary growth (growth in length) at the root and shoot tips.
  • The calyx of a flower is composed of structures known as sepals.
  • The corolla of a flower is composed of structures known as petals.
  • The function of the filament in a stamen (male reproductive part) is analogous to the style in a carpel (female reproductive part), both supporting other key reproductive structures.
• Plant Reproduction Mechanisms:
  • Both sexual and asexual reproduction methods are possible in plants.
  • Plants having both male and female sporangia (or reproductive structures) on the same plant are termed monoecious.
  • Another term for dioecy (separate male and female plants) is unisexual.
  • The transfer of pollen from an anther to the stigma of the same plant is called autogamy (a form of self-pollination).
  • Conditions that support cross-pollination include dioecious plants and protandry (male parts mature first). Monoecious plants allow for self-pollination.
  • Artificial methods of asexual reproduction include stem cutting, grafting, and layering. Gametes are involved in sexual reproduction, not asexual.
  • The ovary develops into the fruit after fertilization.
  • The main purpose of protecting the embryo (e.g., in a seed) is to avoid desiccation (drying out).
  • Germination is the stage when a seed begins to grow into a new plant.
• Plant Hormones & Tropisms:
  • Abscisic acid is a plant hormone that promotes seed dormancy.
  • Auxin is primarily responsible for cell elongation in plants.
  • Phototropism in plants refers to growth toward light.
  • Boysen-Jensen demonstrated that a chemical signal travels from the tip to the growing region in phototropism, causing more growth on the shaded side.
• Plant Characteristics & Adaptations:
  • Higher plants are characterized by being multicellular and eukaryotic.
  • Autotrophic plants produce their own food through photosynthesis.
  • Sugars and oxygen are the end-products of photosynthesis.
  • In terms of motility, plants are generally sedentary.
  • The waxy cuticle and lignin in plants are adaptations, primarily for dryness and structural support, respectively.

III. Animal Kingdom Characteristics

• General Characteristics:
  • Characteristics of the animal kingdom include being eukaryotic, multicellular, and heterotrophic (or heterophytes). They typically do NOT possess a cell wall.
  • Animals, except Porifera, are typically triboblastic (having three embryonic germ layers) in their embryonic stages.
• Body Plans:
  • Sponges (Porifera) are a group of animals that do not have symmetry and generally lack specialized locomotory organs.
  • Coelomates are animals that possess a true body cavity (coelom).
• Circulatory Systems (Animal Diversity):
  • Many molluscs possess an open circulatory system.

IV. Microbiology & Virology

• Virus Classification & Cycles:
  • Symmetry types (e.g., icosahedral, helical) are a characteristic feature used in virus classification.
  • In virology, "Species" refers to the specific type of virus (e.g., Human herpesvirus 1).
  • Lytic vs. Lysogenic Cycles for bacteriophages are described as immediate replication and destruction of host versus integration of viral DNA into host genome (prophage).
  • Horizontal Gene Transfer can involve the integration of viral DNA into the host genome (prophage).
• Vaccine Types:
  • Types of vaccines include live attenuated, inactivated, subunit, and mRNA vaccines.
• Microorganism Groups:
  • Major groups of microorganisms include viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Plants are generally not considered a major group of microorganisms.
• Bacterial Reproduction:
  • Binary fission is a method of bacterial reproduction.

V. General Biology Concepts

• Reproduction (Sexual/Asexual):
  • In sexual reproduction, both male and female gametes are involved.
  • A zygote is a product of gametes fusion.
  • Fertilization is a sexual reproductive process, not an asexual one.
• Cell Biology:
  • Eukaryotic means cells with a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
• Nutrition Types:
  • Saprotrophic nutrition involves obtaining food by absorption through the cell or body surface from dead organic material or dead organisms.