Biology Fall Final Exam Review

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What is cell differentiation?

Back

Cell differentiation is the process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type, allowing cells to perform distinct functions.

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Why do cells differentiate?

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Cells differentiate to perform different functions because different genes are turned on or off inside that cell.

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What is a codon?

Back

A codon is a three-nucleotide sequence in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

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How is a virus classified in terms of living or non-living?

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A virus is classified as non-living because it cannot carry out metabolic processes on its own and requires a host cell to replicate.

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What does heterozygous mean?

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Heterozygous refers to a genotype where an individual has two different alleles for a particular trait, such as one dominant and one recessive allele.

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What role does DNA play in cell differentiation?

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DNA contains the instructions that guide cell differentiation by determining which genes are expressed in specialized cells.

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What is the difference between dominant and recessive alleles?

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A dominant allele is expressed in the phenotype even if only one copy is present, while a recessive allele is only expressed when two copies are present.

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What is the function of ribosomes in a cell?

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Ribosomes are the cellular structures responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains.

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What is the plasma membrane?

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The plasma membrane is a biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of all cells from the outside environment.

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What is the significance of specialized cells?

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Specialized cells, such as muscle, blood, or nerve cells, perform specific functions that are essential for the overall functioning of an organism.