CSET Subtest II Life Sciences Flashcards

Which organelle is responsible for synthesizing proteins in a eukaryotic cell?

Answer: Ribosome

Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis, translating mRNA into polypeptide chains.

During meiosis, crossing over (recombination) occurs at which stage?

Answer: Prophase I

Crossing over occurs during Prophase I when homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange segments.

Which type of symbiotic relationship benefits one organism while the other is unaffected?

Answer: Commensalism

Commensalism describes an interaction where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Answer: Break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients

Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the soil.

In a DNA double helix, adenine always pairs with which nitrogenous base?

Answer: Thymine

Adenine pairs with thymine in DNA via two hydrogen bonds (Chargaff's rules).

Which process converts glucose into pyruvate without using oxygen?

Answer: Glycolysis

Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and splits glucose into two pyruvate molecules, producing a net gain of 2 ATP.

Which kingdom includes organisms that are multicellular, obtain nutrients by absorption, and have cell walls made of chitin?

Answer: Fungi

Fungi are multicellular absorptive heterotrophs with chitin-containing cell walls, distinguishing them from plants and animals.