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GeorgiaBiology

SB1: Cells

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do cell structures and organelles interact as a system to keep a cell alive and in balance?

Construct an explanation of how cell structures and organelles (nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplasts, lysosome, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles, ribosomes, mitochondria) interact as a system to maintain homeostasis (GSE SB1.a).
A Georgia Milestones Biology EOC answer on the eukaryotic organelles as a structure-and-function system: the nucleus, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, lysosomes, vacuoles, membrane, and cell wall, and how they work together to maintain homeostasis.
13 min answer →

How does a cell move materials across its membrane to maintain homeostasis?

Determine the role of cellular transport (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion, and active transport) across the selectively permeable membrane in maintaining homeostasis (GSE SB1.d).
A Georgia Milestones Biology EOC answer on cellular transport: the selectively permeable membrane, passive transport (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion) versus active transport, predicting water movement in hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic solutions, and how transport maintains homeostasis.
13 min answer →

How do enzymes speed up the reactions of a cell, and what changes how fast they work?

Explain how enzymes (a type of protein) lower activation energy and carry out cellular processes, and how temperature, pH, and substrate fit affect enzyme activity (GSE SB1.c).
A Georgia Milestones Biology EOC answer on enzymes: how they lower activation energy, the lock-and-key specificity of the active site, the effect of temperature, pH, and substrate concentration, and what denaturation does to enzyme activity.
12 min answer →

How do photosynthesis and cellular respiration cycle matter and energy through the cell?

Explain the roles of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of matter and the flow of energy, including their reactants, products, and how the two processes connect (GSE SB1.e).
A Georgia Milestones Biology EOC answer on photosynthesis and cellular respiration: the reactants and products of each, where they occur, how energy flows and matter cycles, and why the two processes are reverse complements that link plants and animals.
13 min answer →

What is the difference between a prokaryotic and a eukaryotic cell, and why does that difference matter?

Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the presence or absence of a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles, and explain the advantage of cellular compartmentalization (GSE SB1.a).
A Georgia Milestones Biology EOC answer comparing prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells: the membrane-bound nucleus and organelles, what the two cell types share, the advantage of compartmentalization, and the plant-animal-bacteria comparison the exam tests.
12 min answer →

How does the structure of each macromolecule suit the job it does in a cell?

Relate the structure of the four macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids), their monomers, and their functions in carrying out cellular processes (GSE SB1.c).
A Georgia Milestones Biology EOC answer on the four biological macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, their monomers and elements, their functions, and how structure relates to function in cellular processes.
12 min answer →