Biology E.

Moretz
Portfolio – Biological Structures, Functions, and Processes 2017/2018

Unit Summary Questions:

1) What is the structure and function of the four major macromolecules?

The four main macromolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.
Carbohydrates are important because we use them for energy to keep our bodies running. They help
store energy, breakdown fatty acids and help give you structure. They are structured out of carbon,
hydrogen and oxygen. Lipids are important for long term structure, waterproofing, chemical messenger
insulation, and for the lipid bilayer in cell membranes. They are structured out of carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen. Nucleic acids are important because they store and communicate genetic material and they are
blueprints for proteins. They are structured out of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and hydrogen.
The last major macromolecule, proteins are important because they build muscle (amino acids are found
here) , construct tissue, help keeping our immune system strong, transport substances in and out of the
cell and more. They are structured out of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur.

2) How do the properties of water contribute to the maintenance of cells and living organisms?

Some of the properties of water include its ability to dissolve certain solvents, has a good surface
tension/cohesion/ability to do capillary action, and finally because it’s polar. It's important water can be
dissolvable because water is able to break down certain chemicals that could harm the cell/living organism. It's
also important so you can send minerals, and nutrients over the cell membrane. It is important that water has
good surface tension/cohesion/ability to do capillary action because surface tension allows water and like fluids
to stick together. Cohesion is especially important to an organism like the Water Strider because it helps the
organism “walk on water”. Capillary action is important because it helps organisms take up nutrients. For
example in plants, capillary action is responsible for helping plants take up water.

3) What is the role of enzymes in cell chemistry?

Enzymes are responsible for speeding up reactions (catalyst). They break up macromolecules into
micromolecules which are needed for cell functions. An example of this is turning starch (carbohydrates) into
glucose which is needed to power the cell. Another example is enzymes help both in photosynthesis and
respiration. It helps in conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose (photosynthesis) and also the
breakdown of glucose into carbon dioxide, heat and ATP (respiration).

4) How do enzymes carry out their function?

Enzymes carry out their function using the lock and key method. A substrate is a reactant in a reaction.
An active site is the place where enzymes break a reaction. An enzyme-substrate complex constitutes of the
enzyme and the right substrate before breakdown. The lock and key method is where a substrate matches with
an enzyme. The substrate is broken down and released. The active site of the enzyme become available for
another substrate to lock in.

5) What are similarities and differences between autotrophic and heterotrophic cells?

An autotrophic cell is an organism (mostly plant (some eukaryote and prokaryote)) that photosynthesize
and make their own food. A heterotrophic cell is an organism that cannot make its own food so it must consume
other organisms. Heterotrophs and autotrophs both need water, sunlight, and air. They both need food to
survive.

6) How is the process of photosynthesis carried out?

Biology E. Moretz
Portfolio – Biological Structures, Functions, and Processes 2017/2018

Photosynthesis has two different stages, the light-dependent stage, and the light-independent stage (the Calvin
Cycle). The light dependent stage: Photosynthesis starts off with light hitting reaction centers (photosystems) of
chlorophyll, found in the chloroplasts. Next, excited electrons from photosystems cause water to break apart
into hydrogen and oxygen. Finally, hydrogen from water makes ATP and NADPH (energy). The light-
independent stage starts off by CO2 entering the leaf through the stomata. Then, CO2 goes to the stroma of the
chloroplast. CO2 is then “fixed” or incorporated into 3-carbon sugars (ATP and NADPH provide the energy for
this). Lastly, glucose is produced.

7) How is the process of respiration carried out?

First, glycolysis (fermentation) occurs. Glucose is broken into smaller molecules (pyruvate). Four molecules of
ATP are produced, however, two molecules are used in the process so the net production is, two ATP’s. In the
presence of oxygen, the Krebs cycle (2x). Pyruvate goes into the mitochondria. Its then broken down into
Acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA is then turned into ATP. CO2 and electrons carrying molecules (FADH and NADH)
are produced, two ATP are produced. Finally, the electron transport chain step. Electrons are passed down from
one molecule to another (given from FADH and NADH molecules). Oxygen is the last electron acceptor. It
joins with H+ and produces H2O (water). 32 molecules of ATP are produced.

8) What are the similarities and differences between photosynthesis and respiration?

In photosynthesis glucose and oxygen are the end products. In respiration, the by products of photosynthesis are
used to produce heat, carbon dioxide and water. The source of energy in both respiration and photosynthesis is
invested in ATP.

9) How are cells produced from existing cells?

New cells are produced by existing cells through the process of mitosis. Through the process of interphase and
mitotic phase. In the interphase, materials required for DNA replication (chromosomes) are assembled and
synthesized. In the mitotic phase, which starts at prophase, the chromosomes become visible. In metaphase, the
chromosomes line up and begin to split from sister chromatids. Sister chromatids then completely split from
each other and move over to another cell and the cells split during cytokinesis.

10) What is the cell theory and how was the theory developed?

The cell theory is that all living organisms are made out of cells, existing cells originate from pre-
existing cells and a cell is the most basic unit of life. This theory was developed by three scientists: Robert
Hooke, Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schleiden. Robert Hooke saw the first cell while studying a cork slice.
Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schleiden proposed that every organism was made out of cells after studying
plants. They also studied cell division.

11) How are materials transported in and our cells to enable the cell to maintain homeostasis?

Materials are transported in and out of a cell through the cell membrane. Osmosis is the movement of
water molecules across a membrane. Macromolecules can be transported in or out of a cell through the process
of passive or active transport, until a state of homeostasis is maintained.

12) What is the relationship between the organelles in a cell and the functions of that cell?

Organelles are small organs within a cell that function like organs. They help the cell to assemble
proteins for various functions, produce energy and other functions that the cell might require. Mitochondria is
the powerhouse of the cell that converts organic compounds into ATP. Endoplasmic reticulum assembles
Biology E. Moretz
Portfolio – Biological Structures, Functions, and Processes 2017/2018

proteins. Golgi apparatus packages proteins. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. Lysosomes
contain enzymes that are important for recycling cellular debris. The vacuole is responsible for regulating water
volume. Chloroplast is for photosynthesis (in plant cells). The nucleus is responsible for holding genetic
information (DNA).

13) What is the function of the following organs: (heart, lungs, skin, leaf, stem, root, ovary, xylem,
phloem)

The function of the heart is to pump blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. The function of the lungs
is to deliver oxygen to cells and remove waste (CO2). The function of the skin is to protect, regulate body
temperature, and for sensory touch. The function of a leaf is to allow photosynthesis and gas exchanges. The
function of a stem is to transport water from the roots to the xylem and phloem and to provide a place where
plants can store its fruits and flowers. The purpose of the roots is to absorb water and other nutrients and to
attach the plant to the ground. The purpose of the ovaries is to produce reproductive hormones and to hold and
protect the egg. The function of the xylem is to transport minerals and water through the entire plant. The
purpose of the phloem is to transport sap that the plant has made.

14) What is the relationship between the structure and function of organs in one organism to the
structure and function of organs in another organism?

The heart has four chambers and two atrias (left and right) and two ventricles. Atrias take in the blood and the
ventricles pump the blood. The structure of the heart helps carry out the function because it can contain blood
and pass it on to other part of the organ. Frogs can breathe through their skin (called cutaneous gas exchange),
but they also have lungs. Frogs do not have a diaphragm (unlike humans) and the mouth of the frog helps open
and contract the lungs. They’re built in a way that the frog can push the air out.

15) What is the relationship between an organ and an organ system?

An organ is a collection of tissues that are specialized in performing one particular function. Organ
systems are a collection of organs that help sustain an organism.

16) What is the structure and function of the following organ systems: (digestion, respiration,
circulation, nervous)

The digestive system is made out of the mouth, throat,esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and
salivary glands. For example, the mouth helps you chew and the stomach contains stomach enzymes and acid
that help you digest food. The respiratory system is comprised of the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and lungs.
The system helps transport nutrients and oxygen to all the body cells. The circulatory system is made out of
heart, blood vessels, blood, lymph. These help support its function by delivering nutrients and oxygen to the
cells in the body. The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs and nerves. These help
support its function by communicating with the rest of the body.

17) What is the relationship between the tissues that make up organs and the structure and
function of the organ?

Tissues are a collection of specialized cells that perform unique tasks. For example, eye cells/tissue have
specialized structures such as rods and cones that capture light that are unique to the eye and are not found in
any other organ. Another example is the taste buds on a tongue. These are unique to the structure and function
of the tongue and wont be found anywhere else on the body.