Cool Flashcards
(392 cards)
1
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- The Nature and Variety of Living Organisms
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Characteristics of Living Organisms
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Q: What are the eight characteristics shared by all living organisms?
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5
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A: Nutrition
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respiration
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Q: Define ‘nutrition’ in living organisms.
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A: The process by which organisms take in and use food for energy
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growth
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Q: What is ‘respiration’ in biology?
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9
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A: A chemical process that releases energy from food
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usually using oxygen.
10
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Q: What does ‘excretion’ mean?
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11
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A: The removal of metabolic waste products from the body.
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12
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Q: What is meant by ‘response to surroundings’?
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13
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A: The ability to detect and react to environmental stimuli.
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14
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Q: Define ‘movement’ in living organisms.
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15
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A: The ability to change position or move parts of the body.
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16
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Q: What is ‘control of internal conditions’?
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17
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A: Maintaining a stable internal environment (homeostasis).
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18
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Q: Define ‘reproduction’.
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19
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A: The process of producing new individuals of the same species.
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Q: What does ‘growth and development’ refer to?
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A: The increase in size and complexity of an organism.
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Variety of Living Organisms
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Q: What common features do plants show?
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A: Multicellular
have chloroplasts
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Examples: maize
peas
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Q: What are the key features of animals?
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A: Multicellular
no chloroplasts
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Examples: humans (mammals)
housefly
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Q: What are the characteristics of fungi?
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A: Not able to photosynthesise
body usually mycelium made of hyphae with many nuclei
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Examples: Mucor (hyphal)
yeast (single-celled).
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Q: What are protoctists?
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A: Microscopic single-celled organisms. Some are like animals (e.g.
Amoeba)
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Q: What are the common features of bacteria?
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A: Microscopic
single-celled
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Examples: Lactobacillus (yoghurt)
Pneumococcus (pneumonia).
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Q: Define 'pathogen'.
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A: An organism that causes disease. Pathogens include fungi
bacteria
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Q: What are viruses?
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A: Not living organisms
very small particles
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Examples: tobacco mosaic virus
influenza
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2. Structure and Functions in Living Organisms
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Level of Organisation
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Q: List the levels of organisation in living organisms.
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A: Organelles → cells → tissues → organs → systems.
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Cell Structure
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Q: Name the main structures found in cells.
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A: Nucleus
cytoplasm
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Q: What is the function of the nucleus?
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A: Contains genetic material
controls cell activities.
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Q: What is the function of the cytoplasm?
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A: Site of chemical reactions.
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Q: What is the function of the cell membrane?
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A: Controls entry and exit of substances.
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Q: What is the function of the cell wall (plants
fungi
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A: Provides support and protection.
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Q: Function of mitochondria?
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A: Site of aerobic respiration and energy production.
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Q: Function of chloroplasts?
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A: Site of photosynthesis (contain chlorophyll).
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Q: Function of ribosomes?
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A: Site of protein synthesis.
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Q: Function of vacuole (plants)?
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A: Contains cell sap
maintains cell shape.
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Q: Similarities and differences between plant and animal cells?
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A: Both have nucleus
cytoplasm
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Plant cells also have cell wall
chloroplasts
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Biological Molecules
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Q: What elements are present in carbohydrates
proteins
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A:
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Carbohydrates: Carbon
hydrogen
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Proteins: Carbon
hydrogen
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Lipids: Carbon
hydrogen
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Q: What are the basic units of carbohydrates
proteins
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A:
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Starch/glycogen: made from simple sugars
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Proteins: made from amino acids
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Lipids: made from fatty acids and glycerol
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Q: What is the role of enzymes?
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A: Biological catalysts that speed up metabolic reactions.
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Q: How does temperature affect enzyme activity?
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A: High temperatures can denature enzymes by changing the shape of the active site
reducing activity.
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Q: How does pH affect enzyme function?
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A: Extreme pH changes can alter the active site and denature the enzyme.
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Movement of Substances
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Q: Define diffusion.
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A: The net movement of particles from a high to a low concentration.
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Q: Define osmosis.
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A: The diffusion of water molecules from a dilute to a concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane.
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Q: Define active transport.
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A: The movement of substances against a concentration gradient using energy.
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Q: What factors affect the rate of movement of substances?
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A: Surface area to volume ratio
distance
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Nutrition
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Q: What is photosynthesis?
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A: The process by which plants convert light energy to chemical energy.
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Q: Word equation for photosynthesis?
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A: Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
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Q: Symbol equation for photosynthesis?
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A: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
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Q: What factors affect photosynthesis rate?
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A: Carbon dioxide concentration
light intensity
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Q: How is a leaf adapted for photosynthesis?
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A: Large surface area
thin
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Q: Why do plants need mineral ions?
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A: Magnesium for chlorophyll
nitrate ions for amino acids.
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Q: Components of a balanced human diet?
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A: Carbohydrate
protein
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Q: Functions and sources of key nutrients?
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A:
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Carbohydrate: energy (bread
pasta)
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Protein: growth/repair (meat
beans)
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Lipids: energy/store (butter
oils)
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Vitamin A: vision (carrots)
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Vitamin C: healthy tissues (oranges)
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Vitamin D: bones/teeth (sunlight
dairy)
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Calcium: bones/teeth (milk)
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Iron: haemoglobin (red meat)
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Fibre: digestion (vegetables)
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Water: all cells (drinks
food)
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Q: What is peristalsis?
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A: Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the gut.
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Q: What are the roles of digestive enzymes?
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A:
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Amylase/maltase: starch → glucose
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Proteases: proteins → amino acids
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Lipases: lipids → fatty acids + glycerol
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Q: What is the role of bile?
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A: Neutralises stomach acid
emulsifies fats.
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Q: How is the small intestine adapted for absorption?
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A: Villi increase surface area
thin walls
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Respiration
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Q: What is respiration?
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A: The process of releasing energy (ATP) from food molecules.
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Q: What is ATP?
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A: A molecule that stores and provides energy for cells.
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Q: Difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
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A: Aerobic uses oxygen
more energy; anaerobic does not use oxygen
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Q: Word equation for aerobic respiration?
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A: Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)
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Q: Symbol equation for aerobic respiration?
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A: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O (+ energy)
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Q: Word equation for anaerobic respiration (animals)?
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A: Glucose → lactic acid (+ energy)
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Q: Word equation for anaerobic respiration (plants/yeast)?
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A: Glucose → ethanol + carbon dioxide (+ energy)
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Gas Exchange
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Q: Key structures of the thorax?
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A: Ribs
intercostal muscles
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Q: Role of intercostal muscles and diaphragm?
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A: They contract and relax to ventilate the lungs.
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Q: How are alveoli adapted for gas exchange?
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A: Large surface area
thin walls
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Q: Consequences of smoking?
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A: Lung damage
increased risk of coronary heart disease.
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Transport
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Q: Why can unicellular organisms rely on diffusion?
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A: Short distances for substances to move.
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Q: Why do multicellular organisms need transport systems?
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A: Diffusion alone is too slow for large organisms.
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Q: Role of phloem?
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A: Transports sucrose and amino acids.
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Q: Role of xylem?
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A: Transports water and mineral ions.
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Q: Composition of blood?
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A: Red blood cells
white blood cells
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Q: Role of plasma?
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A: Transports CO₂
digested food
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Q: Adaptations of red blood cells?
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A: Biconcave shape
no nucleus
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Q: How does the immune system respond to disease?
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A: Phagocytes ingest pathogens; lymphocytes release antibodies.
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Q: Heart structure and function?
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A: Four chambers; pumps blood around the body.
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Q: Effects of exercise/adrenaline on heart rate?
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A: Both increase heart rate.
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Q: Risk factors for coronary heart disease?
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A: Diet
smoking
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Q: Structure/function of arteries
veins
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A:
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Arteries: thick walls
carry blood away from heart
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Veins: thinner walls
valves
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Capillaries: very thin walls
exchange substances
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Q: Structure of circulation system?
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A: Heart
arteries
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Excretion
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Q: Main excretory products in humans?
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A:
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Lungs: carbon dioxide
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Kidneys: urea
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Skin: sweat (water
salts
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Q: Origin of waste gases in plants?
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A: Carbon dioxide and oxygen from metabolism
lost through stomata.
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Co-ordination and Response
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Q: What is homeostasis?
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A: Maintenance of a constant internal environment.
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Q: What is required for a coordinated response?
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A: Stimulus
receptor
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Q: What are phototropism and geotropism?
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A: Plant growth responses to light (phototropism) and gravity (geotropism).
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Q: Role of auxin in phototropism?
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A: Promotes cell elongation on shaded side
causes stem to bend toward light.
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Q: Difference between nervous and hormonal responses?
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A: Nervous: fast
electrical
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Q: What is the central nervous system (CNS)?
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A: Brain and spinal cord
linked to sense organs by nerves.
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Q: How do receptors send signals?
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A: Electrical impulses along nerves into and out of the CNS.
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Q: Role of neurotransmitters?
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A: Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses.
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Q: Structure/function of a simple reflex arc?
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A: Receptor → sensory neuron → relay neuron (CNS) → motor neuron → effector (e.g.
muscle).
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Q: Structure/function of the eye?
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A: Detects light
focuses images
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Q: How does the eye focus?
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A: Lens changes shape (accommodation) for near/distant objects.
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Q: How does skin regulate temperature?
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A: Sweating
vasoconstriction
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Q: Sources/roles/effects of key hormones?
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A:
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Adrenaline: increases heart rate (adrenal glands)
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Insulin: lowers blood glucose (pancreas)
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Testosterone: male secondary sex traits (testes)
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Oestrogen: female secondary sex traits/menstrual cycle (ovaries)
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Progesterone: maintains uterus lining (ovaries)
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3. Reproduction and Inheritance
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Reproduction
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Q: Difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?
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A: Sexual involves two parents/gametes
genetic variation. Asexual is one parent
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Q: What is fertilisation?
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A: Fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote.
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Q: Structure/adaptations of insect- and wind-pollinated flowers?
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A:
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Insect: colorful petals
scent
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Wind: small/dull petals
exposed stamens/stigma
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Q: How does fertilisation lead to seed/fruit formation?
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A: Pollen tube grows to ovule
fertilisation occurs
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Q: How do seeds germinate?
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A: Use food reserves until seedling can photosynthesise.
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Q: How can plants reproduce asexually?
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A: Natural (runners)
artificial (cuttings).
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Q: Adaptations of human reproductive systems?
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A:
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Male: sperm production and delivery
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Female: egg production
receives sperm
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Q: Roles of oestrogen and progesterone?
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A: Oestrogen: builds up uterus lining; Progesterone: maintains lining.
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Q: Role of placenta?
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A: Supplies nutrients and removes wastes for embryo.
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Q: How is the embryo protected?
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A: Amniotic fluid cushions it.
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Q: Roles of oestrogen and testosterone in secondary sexual characteristics?
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A: Oestrogen: breasts
hips
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Inheritance
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Q: What is a genome?
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A: The entire DNA of an organism.
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Q: What is a gene?
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A: A section of DNA that codes for a specific protein.
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Q: Where are genes located?
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A: On chromosomes in the cell nucleus.
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Q: What are alleles?
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A: Different versions of the same gene.
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Q: Define dominant and recessive alleles.
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A: Dominant: always expressed if present. Recessive: only expressed if two copies present.
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Q: What do 'homozygous' and 'heterozygous' mean?
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A: Homozygous: two same alleles. Heterozygous: two different alleles.
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Q: Define phenotype and genotype.
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A:
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Phenotype: physical appearance
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Genotype: genetic makeup
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Q: What is polygenic inheritance?
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A: Many genes control one trait.
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Q: What is a monohybrid cross/genetic diagram?
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A: Shows inheritance of a single gene.
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Q: How to interpret a family pedigree?
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A: Track inheritance of traits across generations.
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Q: How is sex determined in humans?
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A: XX = female
XY = male.
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Q: How does mitosis work?
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A: One cell divides to form two identical cells (growth
repair
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Q: How does meiosis work?
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A: One cell divides to produce four genetically different gametes with half the chromosome number.
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Q: What is genetic variation?
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A: Differences in DNA among individuals
caused by mutation
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Q: Human diploid and haploid chromosome numbers?
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A: Diploid: 46 chromosomes; Haploid: 23 chromosomes.
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Q: What is mutation?
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A: Rare
random change in genetic material; can be inherited.
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Q: What is Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection?
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A: Organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce
passing on those traits.
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Q: How does antibiotic resistance arise in bacteria?
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A: Random mutations give resistance; resistant bacteria survive and multiply
especially with misuse of antibiotics.
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4. Ecology and the Environment
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The Organism in the Environment
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Q: Define population
community
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A:
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Population: all individuals of one species in an area
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Community: all populations in an area
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Habitat: place where an organism lives
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Ecosystem: community plus its environment
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Q: What factors affect population size/distribution?
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A: Abiotic (non-living
e.g.
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Feeding Relationships
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Q: What are trophic levels?
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A:
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Producers: make their own food (plants)
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Primary consumers: eat producers
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Secondary consumers: eat primary consumers
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Tertiary consumers: eat secondary consumers
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Decomposers: break down dead material
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Q: What is a food chain?
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A: Sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next.
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Q: What is a food web?
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A: Network of interlinked food chains.
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Q: What are pyramids of number
biomass
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A: Diagrams showing number
mass
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Q: Why is only about 10% of energy transferred between trophic levels?
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A: Most energy is lost as heat
waste
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Cycles within Ecosystems
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Q: What are the stages in the carbon cycle?
340
A: Photosynthesis
respiration
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Human Influences on the Environment
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Q: Biological consequences of air pollution by sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide?
344
A: Acid rain (sulfur dioxide)
reduced oxygen transport (carbon monoxide).
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Q: What are greenhouse gases?
346
A: Water vapour
CO₂
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Q: How do human activities contribute to greenhouse gases?
348
A: Burning fossil fuels
agriculture
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Q: What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
350
A: Increased greenhouse gases trap more heat
causing global warming.
351
Q: Biological consequences of water pollution by sewage?
352
A: Decreases oxygen in water
kills aquatic life.
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Q: What is eutrophication?
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A: Excess nutrients cause algal blooms
deplete oxygen
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5. Use of Biological Resources
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Food Production
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Q: How do glasshouses/polythene tunnels increase crop yield?
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A: Control environment (temperature
CO₂
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Q: How do increased CO₂ and temperature affect crop yield?
362
A: Increase rate of photosynthesis
increase yield.
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Q: Why use fertilisers?
364
A: Replace minerals
promote plant growth.
365
Q: Advantages and disadvantages of pesticides and biological control?
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A:
367
Pesticides: effective
but can harm environment
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Biological control: environmentally friendly
but may not fully control pests
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Q: Role of yeast in food production?
370
A: Fermentation in bread making.
371
Q: How is yoghurt made?
372
A: Bacteria (Lactobacillus) ferment milk sugars.
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Q: What is an industrial fermenter?
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A: Vessel for growing microorganisms with controlled conditions.
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Selective Breeding
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Q: What is selective breeding?
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A: Choosing parents with desired traits to produce offspring with those traits.
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Genetic Modification
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Q: What is the role of restriction enzymes and ligase?
382
A: Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sites; ligase joins DNA pieces.
383
Q: What are vectors in genetic engineering?
384
A: Plasmids/viruses that carry DNA into cells.
385
Q: How is insulin produced by genetically modified bacteria?
386
A: Human insulin gene inserted into bacteria
which produce insulin in fermenters.
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Q: How are genetically modified plants used?
388
A: Improve food production (e.g.
pest resistance
389
Q: What does 'transgenic' mean?
390
A: An organism that has received genes from a different species.
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