Write short summary for below questions.
1. Numerate and describe the characteristic features of life
2. Compare and contrast plant and animal cell
3. Describe the properties and major functions of Nucleic acids
4. Mention factors affecting rate of diffusion along with how they affect
5. Write down roles of different components of the cell membrane
6. Compare and contrast active and passive transport
1. The characteristic features of life include organization, growth and development, metabolism, responsiveness to stimuli, reproduction, and evolution. Organisms are made up of cells, which are the basic unit of life, and possess the ability to maintain homeostasis.
2. Plant cells and animal cells share several similarities, such as having a nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane. However, plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts for photosynthesis, and a large central vacuole, while animal cells do not possess these structures. Animal cells may also contain centrioles, which are absent in plant cells.
3. Nucleic acids are biological macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information. The two main types of nucleic acids are DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Nucleic acids are made up of nucleotides and have the property of double-strandedness (DNA) or single-strandedness (RNA). Their major functions include carrying and coding genetic information, as well as participating in protein synthesis.
4. Factors affecting the rate of diffusion include the concentration gradient (the larger the gradient, the faster the diffusion rate), temperature (higher temperature increases the kinetic energy of molecules, accelerating diffusion), molecular size (small molecules diffuse faster than larger ones), and the medium in which diffusion occurs (more viscous mediums decrease diffusion rate).
5. The components of the cell membrane include phospholipids, proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. The phospholipids form the lipid bilayer, creating a barrier that separates the internal environment of the cell from the external environment. Proteins serve various functions such as transport, signaling, and structural support. Cholesterol provides stability to the membrane, while carbohydrates act as identification markers and are involved in cell-cell recognition.
6. Active transport and passive transport are mechanisms that move substances across the cell membrane. Active transport requires the expenditure of energy (usually in the form of ATP) to transport substances against their concentration gradient, thus allowing cells to accumulate substances or remove waste. Passive transport, on the other hand, does not require energy and occurs along the concentration gradient, with substances moving from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Examples of passive transport include diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion.