Essential Characteristics of Life

Mr. Andersen's video on Biology Essentials explores the tree of life, highlighting the shared characteristics of all life forms, such as the genetic code, central dogma, and metabolism. He explains how these features are conserved across the three domains of life: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. The video also delves into the complexity of eukaryotic cells, discussing the endomembrane system and endosymbiosis, which contribute to cellular complexity. The video emphasizes the universality of these biological processes and their origins from a common ancestor.

What does the tree of life illustrate about the relationship between Archaea and Bacteria?

• Bacteria are more closely related to Eukarya than to Archaea.

• Archaea are more closely related to Eukarya than to Bacteria.

• All three domains are equally related.

• Archaea are more closely related to Bacteria than to Eukarya.

What is a key feature of the genetic code that allows scientists to transfer genes between different organisms?

• It is only found in eukaryotes.

• It is universal and interchangeable.

• It cannot be transferred between organisms.

• It is species-specific.

Which process is NOT part of the central dogma of molecular biology?

• Photosynthesis

• Translation

• Transcription

• DNA replication

What is the primary role of ribosomes in the central dogma?

• To break down proteins

• To synthesize proteins

• To transcribe RNA

• To replicate DNA

What is the main purpose of cellular respiration?

• To store energy as fat

• To create glucose

• To produce oxygen

• To generate ATP

Which metabolic pathway is common to all life forms?

• Fermentation

• Calvin cycle

• Glycolysis

• Photosynthesis

What is a defining feature of eukaryotic cells?

• No organelles

• Single-celled only

• Presence of a nucleus

• Lack of a nucleus

What is the endomembrane system responsible for in eukaryotic cells?

• Energy production

• Protein synthesis and transport

• Photosynthesis

• DNA replication

How did mitochondria likely originate according to the endosymbiotic theory?

• As a part of the endomembrane system

• From a free-living bacterium

• As a result of photosynthesis

• From a eukaryotic cell

What evidence supports the theory of endosymbiosis for mitochondria?

• Mitochondria have their own DNA

• Mitochondria are part of the endomembrane system

• Mitochondria do not reproduce independently

• Mitochondria are found only in plants