BIOC0001 - ALL CONTENT EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE 2025 GRADED A+
Define progenitor.
A common ancestor.
What are the three domains of life?
Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryota
Which kingdoms have prokaryotic cells?
Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
Which kingdoms have eukaryotic cells?
Plants, animals, fungi, protists.
What is a motif? Give an example.
Small regions of proteins that are conserved between different proteins.
Porphyrin ring in haem and chlorophyll.
Describe haemoglobin.
A heterotetrametric protein (with 2 alphas and 2 beta subunits).
Where is the genetic information stored in a prokaryote?
In the nucleoid.
,Some bacteria, such as E.coli, are surrounded by two membranes. What is the space
between these membranes called?
Periplasmic space.
What are the basic functions of rER, sER, golgi vesicles, mitochondria, lysosomes and
secretory vesicles?
Assembling proteins
Storage and transport of lipids/carbs.
Process and modify proteins.
Generate energy in ATP form.
Digest cell materials.
Carry cell materials to the surface to release them.
What is the cytoplasm made up of?
The cytosol (aqueous phase) and the organelles.
Fungi exist as either unicellular _____ or multicellular _____.
yeasts, molds.
What is the typical size of a eukaryotic cell?
10-100 micrometers
What are protozoan? Give an exmaple.
Unicellular (animal-like) protists. (Can't be animals because animals are multicellular).
Amoeba
Describe the structure and function of peroxisomes.
,Single-membrane, does not contain DNA or ribosomes, contains oxidative enzymes such as
catalase. H2O2 is broken down to H2O.
Describe the structure and function of the cytoskeleton.
Form networks of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate fibres. This allows membrane
support, cell and organelle movement and organisation.
What is beta oxidation?
Breaking down fatty acids to Acetyl CoA in the peroxisomes, which are used in the Krebs cycle.
Difference between Beta oxidation in animals vs plants/fungi.
In animals - occurs in mitochondria and peroxisomes.
In plants/fungi, exclusively in peroxisomes.
What is a key difference between Archaea and Bacteria?
Archaea grow in extreme environments (halophiles need high conc of salt, thermoacidophiles
grow in hot sulphur springs).
Archaea membranes have different chemical properties compared to the other domains of life.
How has classification developed?
Originally base upon observable characteristics (morphological criteria).
Now based upon similarities in macromolecular sequences.
Fossils are also used, disadvantage being the fossil record is not complete.
, According to the evolutionary lineage tree, Eukaroyta and archaea diverged from Bacteria
billions of years before diverging from each other. What are some observations that show
this?
Archaea and Eukaryota have histones and more similar RNA and protein components in
comparison to Bacteria.
What is the size of a bacteria / archaea?
1-2 micrometers
What is a leaflet?
Half of a phospholipid bilayer
Define amphipathic and give two examples.
Having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts.
Phospholipids and sterols (4-ringed hydrocarbons with a hydroxyl group)
What affects the properties/function of a plasma membrane?
Lipid proportions - greater proportion of unsaturated lipids increases fluidity since kink in
molecule means cannot pack as tightly. Van Der Walls' forces cause aggregation of acyl chains -
longer hydrophobic chains increases packing so less fluid.
Transport proteins - controls permeability.
Lipid anchored proteins - stabilise protein-membrane interaction by covalently bonding to one
leaflet. Hydrophobic section of lipid is embedded in membrane and anchors the protein to
membrane (protein does not enter bilayer).
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE 2025 GRADED A+
Define progenitor.
A common ancestor.
What are the three domains of life?
Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryota
Which kingdoms have prokaryotic cells?
Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
Which kingdoms have eukaryotic cells?
Plants, animals, fungi, protists.
What is a motif? Give an example.
Small regions of proteins that are conserved between different proteins.
Porphyrin ring in haem and chlorophyll.
Describe haemoglobin.
A heterotetrametric protein (with 2 alphas and 2 beta subunits).
Where is the genetic information stored in a prokaryote?
In the nucleoid.
,Some bacteria, such as E.coli, are surrounded by two membranes. What is the space
between these membranes called?
Periplasmic space.
What are the basic functions of rER, sER, golgi vesicles, mitochondria, lysosomes and
secretory vesicles?
Assembling proteins
Storage and transport of lipids/carbs.
Process and modify proteins.
Generate energy in ATP form.
Digest cell materials.
Carry cell materials to the surface to release them.
What is the cytoplasm made up of?
The cytosol (aqueous phase) and the organelles.
Fungi exist as either unicellular _____ or multicellular _____.
yeasts, molds.
What is the typical size of a eukaryotic cell?
10-100 micrometers
What are protozoan? Give an exmaple.
Unicellular (animal-like) protists. (Can't be animals because animals are multicellular).
Amoeba
Describe the structure and function of peroxisomes.
,Single-membrane, does not contain DNA or ribosomes, contains oxidative enzymes such as
catalase. H2O2 is broken down to H2O.
Describe the structure and function of the cytoskeleton.
Form networks of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate fibres. This allows membrane
support, cell and organelle movement and organisation.
What is beta oxidation?
Breaking down fatty acids to Acetyl CoA in the peroxisomes, which are used in the Krebs cycle.
Difference between Beta oxidation in animals vs plants/fungi.
In animals - occurs in mitochondria and peroxisomes.
In plants/fungi, exclusively in peroxisomes.
What is a key difference between Archaea and Bacteria?
Archaea grow in extreme environments (halophiles need high conc of salt, thermoacidophiles
grow in hot sulphur springs).
Archaea membranes have different chemical properties compared to the other domains of life.
How has classification developed?
Originally base upon observable characteristics (morphological criteria).
Now based upon similarities in macromolecular sequences.
Fossils are also used, disadvantage being the fossil record is not complete.
, According to the evolutionary lineage tree, Eukaroyta and archaea diverged from Bacteria
billions of years before diverging from each other. What are some observations that show
this?
Archaea and Eukaryota have histones and more similar RNA and protein components in
comparison to Bacteria.
What is the size of a bacteria / archaea?
1-2 micrometers
What is a leaflet?
Half of a phospholipid bilayer
Define amphipathic and give two examples.
Having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts.
Phospholipids and sterols (4-ringed hydrocarbons with a hydroxyl group)
What affects the properties/function of a plasma membrane?
Lipid proportions - greater proportion of unsaturated lipids increases fluidity since kink in
molecule means cannot pack as tightly. Van Der Walls' forces cause aggregation of acyl chains -
longer hydrophobic chains increases packing so less fluid.
Transport proteins - controls permeability.
Lipid anchored proteins - stabilise protein-membrane interaction by covalently bonding to one
leaflet. Hydrophobic section of lipid is embedded in membrane and anchors the protein to
membrane (protein does not enter bilayer).
