Chap. 9. The Biosphere 247
QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
- Fill in the blanks in the following statement: Living organisms carry out chemical
processes in ___, which are bodies of the order of a __
in size. - Name several constituents of living cells. What are two constituents typical of plant
cells? - What are hormones? Where are they produced?
- To what general class of kinds of biomolecules do enzymes belong? What is their
function? - How are enzymes named?
- How does temperature relate to enzyme action, particularly as it pertains to enzymes
acting in the body? - What is recombinant DNA? Why is it produced?
- What is metabolism? How is respiration related to metabolism?
- What can natural ecosystems teach humans about how to manage their industrial
systems? - Distinguish between bioaccumulation and biomagnification as they apply to lipid-
soluble organic compounds. - What are six characteristics shared by all living organisms?
- What are the four basic kinds of molecules that comprise living organisms?
- Photosynthesis is the reaction that provides food and energy to keep biological systems
going. What important biological process is the opposite of photosynthesis? - What are the six kingdoms of living organisms?
- Justify the statement that human beings are aerobic heterotrophs.
- What is the general effect of good living conditions, such as mild climate and
abundant nutrients, on ecosystems? - Give four organelles found in eukaryotic cells.
- What huge effect did photosynthesis by cyanobacteria have upon the atmosphere in
the early years of life on earth? - In order to use the food that humans eat, it must undergo digestion and respiration.
What is the distinction between these two phenomena?