MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EXAM: LATEST A+ QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS BREAKDOWN
Eukaryotes
Organisms whose cells have a distinct nucleus and organelles
Eukaryotic Cell
Cells that do have a nucleus and membrane bound organelles
Prokaryotic Cell
Cells that don't have a nucleus or membrane bound organelles
Prokaryotes
Organisms whose cells lack and nucleus and membrane bound organelles
Organelle
A structure inside a cell that carries out a certain function (ie. nucleus, mitochondria, vacuole,
etc)
Cytoplasm
The fluid that fills most of the space in a cell. Mostly made of water.
Nucleus
A large structure inside the cell that controls many functions in the cell. Holds the DNA
Mitochondria
An organelle that converts glucose (sugar) into energy (ATP). The process of making energy is
called cellular respiration.
Ribosomes
Very small cell structures that make proteins. (They look like small dots within the cell)
Cell Membrane
A thin, flexible outer layer that holds the cell together and controls which materials can enter
and leave the cell. It is not an organelle.
Vacuoles
The organelles store food, water, waste, salt, protein, and carbohydrates inside the cell. Plants
have one big vacuole called the Central Vacuole. Animals have many small vacuoles.
, Chloroplasts
Organelles that make food for the cell (glucose). Plants and some protists have them; however,
animals and fungi do not. It is green in color because it contains the pigment called chlorophyll.
Chromosomes
DNA is divided into structures called chromosomes. Humans have 46 (23 from dad and 23 from
mom)
Cell Wall
A protective layer that surrounds the cell membrane of plant cells, bacteria, and fungi. Animal
cells don't have it. In plants, they are made of cellulose.
Photosynthesis
The process in which the cells of plants and some other organisms use the energy of sunlight to
make food. Light Energy Chemical Energy. Happens in chloroplast / Chlorophyll
Cellular Respiration
The process of breaking down sugar (glucose) to make energy (ATP). This is done in ALL
organisms. In Eukaryotes it is done in the mitochondria. In prokaryotes it is done in the
cytoplasm.
Nutrients
The compounds that provide energy and building materials for living things. Three important
kinds of nutrients are: carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
Reproduce
To make more. Cells reproduce by mitosis, meiosis, binary fission, etc...
Gene
A tiny part of a chromosome that helps give a living thing a certain trait, or characteristic (eye
color, height, etc..). Genes also tell the cell how to grow and develop.
DNA
All the genes together make up DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid). Mature Red Blood Cells don't
have DNA
Mitosis
A part of the cell cycle in which the nucleus divides and produces 2 daughter cells that are
identical to the parent cell. The major purpose is for growth and to replace old and dead cells.
AND ANSWERS BREAKDOWN
Eukaryotes
Organisms whose cells have a distinct nucleus and organelles
Eukaryotic Cell
Cells that do have a nucleus and membrane bound organelles
Prokaryotic Cell
Cells that don't have a nucleus or membrane bound organelles
Prokaryotes
Organisms whose cells lack and nucleus and membrane bound organelles
Organelle
A structure inside a cell that carries out a certain function (ie. nucleus, mitochondria, vacuole,
etc)
Cytoplasm
The fluid that fills most of the space in a cell. Mostly made of water.
Nucleus
A large structure inside the cell that controls many functions in the cell. Holds the DNA
Mitochondria
An organelle that converts glucose (sugar) into energy (ATP). The process of making energy is
called cellular respiration.
Ribosomes
Very small cell structures that make proteins. (They look like small dots within the cell)
Cell Membrane
A thin, flexible outer layer that holds the cell together and controls which materials can enter
and leave the cell. It is not an organelle.
Vacuoles
The organelles store food, water, waste, salt, protein, and carbohydrates inside the cell. Plants
have one big vacuole called the Central Vacuole. Animals have many small vacuoles.
, Chloroplasts
Organelles that make food for the cell (glucose). Plants and some protists have them; however,
animals and fungi do not. It is green in color because it contains the pigment called chlorophyll.
Chromosomes
DNA is divided into structures called chromosomes. Humans have 46 (23 from dad and 23 from
mom)
Cell Wall
A protective layer that surrounds the cell membrane of plant cells, bacteria, and fungi. Animal
cells don't have it. In plants, they are made of cellulose.
Photosynthesis
The process in which the cells of plants and some other organisms use the energy of sunlight to
make food. Light Energy Chemical Energy. Happens in chloroplast / Chlorophyll
Cellular Respiration
The process of breaking down sugar (glucose) to make energy (ATP). This is done in ALL
organisms. In Eukaryotes it is done in the mitochondria. In prokaryotes it is done in the
cytoplasm.
Nutrients
The compounds that provide energy and building materials for living things. Three important
kinds of nutrients are: carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
Reproduce
To make more. Cells reproduce by mitosis, meiosis, binary fission, etc...
Gene
A tiny part of a chromosome that helps give a living thing a certain trait, or characteristic (eye
color, height, etc..). Genes also tell the cell how to grow and develop.
DNA
All the genes together make up DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid). Mature Red Blood Cells don't
have DNA
Mitosis
A part of the cell cycle in which the nucleus divides and produces 2 daughter cells that are
identical to the parent cell. The major purpose is for growth and to replace old and dead cells.
