UPCAT Biology — Basic Life Functions & The CellConcept Map

Concept

Basic Life Functions (MRS GREN)

Sub Concepts

• Movement - cellular transport, muscle contraction, blood flow
• Respiration - cellular respiration, gas exchange
• Sensitivity - response to stimuli, environmental adaptation
• Growth - cell division, tissue development
• Reproduction - sexual and asexual reproduction
• Excretion - waste removal, homeostasis
• Nutrition - energy intake, metabolism

Relationship To Central

These seven functions define what makes something alive and distinguish living organisms from non-living matter

Concept

Cell Theory

Sub Concepts

• All living things are made of cells
• Cells are structural and functional units
• Cells arise from pre-existing cells
• Cells contain hereditary information
• Cells have same basic chemical composition
• Energy flow occurs within cells

Relationship To Central

Fundamental principles that establish cells as the basic unit of life

Concept

Cell Types

Sub Concepts

• Prokaryotic cells - no nucleus, simple structure
• Eukaryotic cells - membrane-bound nucleus, complex organelles
• Plant cells - cell wall, chloroplasts, large vacuole
• Animal cells - centrioles, lysosomes, small vacuoles

Relationship To Central

Two major categories of cells that form all living organisms

Concept

Cell Organelles and Functions

Sub Concepts

• Nucleus - control center, contains DNA
• Mitochondria - powerhouse, cellular respiration
• Chloroplasts - photosynthesis in plants
• Cell membrane - transport regulation
• Ribosomes - protein synthesis
• Endoplasmic reticulum - transport system
• Golgi apparatus - protein packaging

Relationship To Central

Specialized structures within cells that perform specific life functions

Concept

Photosynthesis

Sub Concepts

• Light-dependent reactions - thylakoid membrane
• Calvin cycle - carbon fixation in stroma
• Produces glucose and oxygen
• Chemical equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Relationship To Central

Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, supporting life on Earth

Concept

Cellular Respiration

Sub Concepts

• Glycolysis - glucose to pyruvate in cytoplasm
• Krebs cycle - acetyl CoA processing in mitochondria
• Electron transport chain - ATP production
• Produces up to 38 ATP molecules per glucose

Relationship To Central

Process that breaks down glucose to produce ATP energy for cellular functions

Concept

Cell Division

Sub Concepts

• Mitosis - somatic cell division, growth and repair
• Meiosis - gamete formation, sexual reproduction
• Cell cycle - G1, S, G2, M phases
• Binary fission - prokaryotic reproduction

Relationship To Central

Processes that enable growth, reproduction, and genetic continuity

To

Cell Organelles

From

MRS GREN Functions

Strength

strong

Relationship

Life functions are carried out by specialized organelles within cells

To

Cellular Respiration

From

Photosynthesis

Strength

strong

Relationship

Complementary processes - photosynthesis produces glucose and oxygen that cellular respiration uses

To

Cell Division

From

Cell Theory

Strength

strong

Relationship

Cell theory principle that cells arise from pre-existing cells is demonstrated through division

To

Cellular Respiration

From

Mitochondria

Strength

strong

Relationship

Mitochondria are the primary sites where cellular respiration occurs in eukaryotic cells

To

Photosynthesis

From

Chloroplasts

Strength

strong

Relationship

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the sites of photosynthesis in plant cells

To

Cell Division

From

Growth

Strength

strong

Relationship

Growth in multicellular organisms occurs primarily through cell division (mitosis)

To

Meiosis

From

Reproduction

Strength

strong

Relationship

Sexual reproduction requires meiosis to produce gametes with half the chromosome number

To

Binary Fission

From

Prokaryotic Cells

Strength

strong

Relationship

Prokaryotic cells reproduce through binary fission rather than mitosis

To

Cell Control

From

Nucleus

Strength

strong

Relationship

The nucleus controls cell activities by regulating gene expression and protein synthesis

To

All Life Functions

From

ATP

Strength

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Relationship

ATP provides the energy currency needed for all cellular processes and life functions