Interactive Flashcard

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\fancyhead[L]{\textbf{Study Flashcards}}
\fancyhead[R]{\textit{Biology 101 --- Midterm Review}}
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\begin{document}

\begin{center}
  {\Huge\bfseries Study Flashcards}\\[6pt]
  {\Large Biology 101 --- Midterm Review}\\[4pt]
  {\large Cell Biology \& Genetics}\\[10pt]
  \textcolor{gray}{\rule{0.6\textwidth}{0.5pt}}\\[6pt]
  {\small Set \showanswerstrue to reveal answers, or \showanswersfalse to quiz yourself.}
\end{center}

\vspace{10pt}

\section*{Unit 1: Cell Structure}

\begin{flashcard}[\textit{Cell Biology}]
\begin{questionbox}
What is the function of the mitochondria in a eukaryotic cell?
\end{questionbox}
\answer{The mitochondria are the ``powerhouses'' of the cell. They generate most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used as a source of chemical energy. This process is called \textbf{oxidative phosphorylation} and occurs across the inner mitochondrial membrane.}
\end{flashcard}

\begin{flashcard}[\textit{Cell Biology}]
\begin{questionbox}
Describe the structure and function of the cell membrane. What model describes its organization?
\end{questionbox}
\answer{The cell membrane is a \textbf{phospholipid bilayer} embedded with proteins. It regulates the passage of substances in and out of the cell. The \textbf{Fluid Mosaic Model} (Singer \& Nicolson, 1972) describes it as a dynamic structure where proteins float within or on the surface of the lipid bilayer like a mosaic.}
\end{flashcard}

\begin{flashcard}[\textit{Cell Biology}]
\begin{questionbox}
What are the key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
\end{questionbox}
\answer{Key differences include:
\begin{itemize}[nosep]
  \item \textbf{Nucleus}: Eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus; prokaryotes do not.
  \item \textbf{Size}: Prokaryotes are typically 0.1--5 $\mu$m; eukaryotes are 10--100 $\mu$m.
  \item \textbf{Organelles}: Eukaryotes contain membrane-bound organelles (mitochondria, ER, Golgi); prokaryotes lack these.
  \item \textbf{DNA}: Prokaryotic DNA is circular and in the nucleoid; eukaryotic DNA is linear and in chromosomes.
  \item \textbf{Ribosomes}: Prokaryotes have 70S ribosomes; eukaryotes have 80S.
\end{itemize}}
\end{flashcard}

\begin{flashcard}[\textit{Cell Biology}]
\begin{questionbox}
What is osmosis? How does it differ from simple diffusion?
\end{questionbox}
\answer{Osmosis is the movement of \textbf{water molecules} across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration. Simple diffusion involves the movement of \textbf{any small molecule} down its concentration gradient without a membrane requirement. The key difference is that osmosis specifically involves water and a semi-permeable membrane.}
\end{flashcard}

\section*{Unit 2: Genetics}

\begin{flashcard}[\textit{Genetics}]
\begin{questionbox}
State Mendel's Law of Segregation.
\end{questionbox}
\answer{Mendel's Law of Segregation states that during gamete formation, the two alleles for each gene \textbf{separate} (segregate) from each other so that each gamete carries only \textbf{one allele} for each trait. The two alleles reunite at fertilization. This was deduced from Mendel's monohybrid cross experiments with pea plants.}
\end{flashcard}

\begin{flashcard}[\textit{Genetics}]
\begin{questionbox}
In a cross between two heterozygous parents (Aa $\times$ Aa), what is the expected phenotypic ratio if A is completely dominant over a?
\end{questionbox}
\answer{The expected phenotypic ratio is \textbf{3:1} (three dominant phenotype to one recessive phenotype). The genotypic ratio is 1 AA : 2 Aa : 1 aa. Since A is completely dominant, both AA and Aa express the dominant phenotype.}
\end{flashcard}

\begin{flashcard}[\textit{Genetics}]
\begin{questionbox}
What is the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology?
\end{questionbox}
\answer{The Central Dogma describes the flow of genetic information in biological systems:
\[
\text{DNA} \xrightarrow{\text{Transcription}} \text{RNA} \xrightarrow{\text{Translation}} \text{Protein}
\]
DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus, and mRNA is translated into protein at ribosomes in the cytoplasm. This was first articulated by Francis Crick in 1958.}
\end{flashcard}

\begin{flashcard}[\textit{Genetics}]
\begin{questionbox}
What is a point mutation? Name and describe two types.
\end{questionbox}
\answer{A point mutation is a change in a \textbf{single nucleotide} in the DNA sequence. Two common types:
\begin{enumerate}[nosep]
  \item \textbf{Substitution}: One base is replaced by another. Can be \textit{silent} (no amino acid change), \textit{missense} (different amino acid), or \textit{nonsense} (creates a stop codon).
  \item \textbf{Insertion/Deletion (Indel)}: A single base is added or removed, often causing a \textit{frameshift} that alters all downstream amino acids.
\end{enumerate}}
\end{flashcard}

\section*{Unit 3: Cell Division}

\begin{flashcard}[\textit{Cell Division}]
\begin{questionbox}
Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis. List at least three differences.
\end{questionbox}
\answer{\begin{itemize}[nosep]
  \item \textbf{Divisions}: Mitosis involves 1 division producing 2 cells; meiosis involves 2 divisions producing 4 cells.
  \item \textbf{Ploidy}: Mitosis produces diploid (2n) daughter cells; meiosis produces haploid (n) cells.
  \item \textbf{Genetic variation}: Mitosis produces genetically identical cells; meiosis introduces variation through crossing over and independent assortment.
  \item \textbf{Purpose}: Mitosis is for growth and repair; meiosis produces gametes for sexual reproduction.
  \item \textbf{Synapsis}: Homologous chromosomes pair up in meiosis I (synapsis); this does not occur in mitosis.
\end{itemize}}
\end{flashcard}

\begin{flashcard}[\textit{Cell Division}]
\begin{questionbox}
What are the phases of the cell cycle? Briefly describe each.
\end{questionbox}
\answer{The cell cycle consists of \textbf{interphase} and the \textbf{mitotic (M) phase}:
\begin{enumerate}[nosep]
  \item \textbf{G\textsubscript{1} phase}: Cell growth, organelle production, normal metabolic activity.
  \item \textbf{S phase}: DNA synthesis --- the genome is replicated.
  \item \textbf{G\textsubscript{2} phase}: Further growth; preparation for mitosis; organelles duplicated.
  \item \textbf{M phase}: Mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) followed by cytokinesis.
\end{enumerate}
Cells may also enter \textbf{G\textsubscript{0}}, a quiescent state where they exit the cycle.}
\end{flashcard}

\vfill
\begin{center}
  \textcolor{gray}{\rule{0.4\textwidth}{0.5pt}}\\[4pt]
  {\small \textbf{10 cards total} --- Keep reviewing until you can answer each from memory!}
\end{center}

\end{document}