General Science Principles Flashcards

Which organelle is responsible for producing energy (ATP) in eukaryotic cells through cellular respiration?

Answer: Mitochondrion

The mitochondrion is the site of cellular respiration, converting glucose and oxygen into ATP, the cell's energy currency.

In genetics, if both parents are heterozygous (Aa) for a trait, what fraction of offspring are expected to be homozygous dominant (AA)?

Answer: 1/4

A Punnett square for Aa × Aa gives AA : Aa : aa = 1 : 2 : 1, so 1/4 (25%) are homozygous dominant.

Which ecological term describes the total weight of all living organisms in a given area or trophic level?

Answer: Biomass

Biomass is the total mass of living (or recently living) organisms in a given area, used to measure ecosystem productivity.

The primary function of red blood cells is to:

Answer: Transport oxygen using hemoglobin

Red blood cells (erythrocytes) contain hemoglobin, an iron-containing protein that binds and carries oxygen throughout the body.

During photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose using:

Answer: Light energy absorbed by chlorophyll

Chlorophyll in chloroplasts absorbs light energy, which drives the conversion of CO₂ and H₂O into glucose and oxygen.

Natural selection acts on populations by favoring individuals with traits that:

Answer: Increase reproductive success in the current environment

Natural selection preserves traits that improve an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its specific environment.

In the scientific classification system, which level is more specific than 'Order' but less specific than 'Species'?

Answer: Genus

The hierarchy from broadest to most specific is: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.