This post was originally created as a part of the second week of studying biology, with the long term goal of supporting sustainable marketing projects.
The idea was that this project would follow the 12 week year but it was sadly not feasible. Additionally, there were some issues with ChatGPT generating questions that required some previous knowledge in some cases. Therefore the method was changed slightly. In the case of biology and geology it begins with a preparation for biology post that attempts to fill in any gaps for those that follow.
However even that seems it could become unwieldly and as time passes will likely need updating along with this post, which has undergone a couple of minor revisions since it was first posted.
Biology and Geology Questions
This time around there is a mixture of answers. All of the answers on biology from chatGPT are below, but some have extra information from other resources. It also includes some questions that were later added to provide a bit more depth, which the AI had nothing to do with.
The Cell
What is the function of the ribosomes in the cell?
They are responsible for synthesising proteins from the genetic information that comes to them from the messenger RNA
What difference is there between a rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum
The rough endoplasmic reticulum has ribosomes adhering to its surface and is involved in the synthesis of proteins.
The smooth endoplasmic reticulum does not have ribosomes and is instead involved in the synthesis of lipids and the metabolism of carbohydrates
What is mitochondria and what is its principal function?
It is a cellular organelle that produces energy in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) through the process of cellular respiration.
ChatGPT has not mentioned that the energy comes from glucose and helps the cell function and survive.
What is a nuclear membrane and its function?
It is a double membrane that encloses the nucleus of the cell, protecting the genetic material and regulating the exchange of substances between the cell and the cytoplasm
How does a prokaryotic cell reproduce?
The reproduce through binary fission, a process where the cell divides into two identical cells.
It is a form of asexual reproduction.
What animals use binary fission?
Strictly speaking, no animals reproduce through binary fission; it is primarily a form of asexual reproduction for most bacteria (Kingdom Monera) and some protists (Kingdom Protista), which do not belong to Kingdom Animalia.
Although one article states that freshwater planarians (Kingdom Animalia) reproduce via binary fission, the Encyclopaedia Britannica refers to the process as planarian fission; They class it as a form of direct reproduction.
Living Things
What are the principal characteristics of the animal kingdom?
They are eukaryotic, multicellular organisms and heterotrophs. They develop from multicellular embryos and have complex nervous and sensory systems.
Heterotrophs consume living and dead organic matter.
What is the difference between fungi and plants?
Fungi are heterotrophs that obtain nutrients through absorption, where are plants are autotrophs that perform photosynthesis.
Also fungi have cellular walls composed of chitin, whereas those of plants are made of cellulose.
Fungi are also decomposers.
What is an autotrophic organism?
It is an organism that produces its own food from inorganic material using solar or chemical energy.
What is photosynthesis and how is it important to living beings?
It is the process through which plants, algae and some bacteria convert solar energy into chemical energy, producing oxygen and glucose from water and carbon dioxide. It is fundamental for life on earth because it produces oxygen and it is the base of the food chains.
What is the function of chloroplasts in plant cells?
They are organelles that contain chlorophyll where they perform photosynthesis, converting solar energy into chemical energy, storing the molecules in glucose.
DNA and Genetics
What is genetic recombination and how does it contribute to genetic diversity?
It is the process through which chromosome exchange segments of DNA through meiosis, which contributes to genetic diversification by creating new combinations of genes.
What is DNA?
DNA is a molecule that contains the genetic information in all living beings and some viruses, coding the instructions for development, functions, growth and reproduction of organisms.
What is the function of Genes?
The Genes are segments of DNA that contain necessary information about the synthesis of proteins, that perform an ample variety of functions in the cell and determine hereditary characteristics
What is the difference between somatic mutations and germline mutations
Somatic mutations occur in the somatic cells (non-reproductive) and don’t pass on to offspring.
Germline mutations occur in reproductive cells (sperm or eggs), and can be transmitted to offspring
Depending at what point during conception a germline mutation occurs, the more or less restricted its distribution, so says this paper on mosaicism
Foulkes WD, Real FX. Many mosaic mutations. Curr Oncol. 2013 Apr;20(2):85-7. doi: 10.3747/co.20.1449. PMID: 23559869; PMCID: PMC3615857.
Where do you find DNA in eukaryotic cells?
DNA is primarily found in the nucleus, but it can be found in small quantities in the mitochondria and chloroplasts
Ecology
What is genetic inheritance?
It is the process in which the genes and characteristics of parents are transmitted to their offspring via DNA
How do are ecosystems classified in relation to their productivity?
ChatGPT has a very different answer in this instance, and while it does not seem incorrect, it’s not the same as the information found on google:
Ecosystems are classified into high productivity ecosystems (tropical rainforests or coral reefs) or low productivity ecosystems (tundra or deserts)
This resource from Biology Discussion however breaks productivity down into two types briefly summarised as:
- Primary; How much organic matter an ecosystem can produce
- Secondary; How much energy the heterotrophic organisms in an ecosystem produce
There is also a suggested tertiary productivity in that article that suggests how much energy a community can synthesise.
Some sources say it refers to the energy produced by meat eaters while others seem to exclude its existence.
What is the difference between a food chain and a food network?
A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where one feeds on the previous.
A food network is a set of interconnected food chains where organisms have multiple sources of food and predators.
What is biodiversity?
It is the variety of life in a particular area including diversity of species, genes and ecosystems.
What is habitat fragmentation and how does it impact biodiversity?
It is a process in which a habitat is continually divided into smaller parts. It impacts biodiversity by reducing population sizes and increasing isolation, which makes survival and reproduction of a species more difficult.
Also fragmentation creates more borders, which suits some species more than others and with smaller breeding populations for isolated species, genetic diversity is reduced, increasing the odds of illnesses and extinction.
Marine Biology
What function do mangroves have in coastal ecosystems?
They serve as natural barriers against storms and erosion, provide food and habitat to many species and help filter contaminants from the water.
They provide nesting grounds for various birds some of which are migratory as well as offer protection to various animals before they are mature enough for deeper waters.
How does acidification affect ocean organisms?
Caused by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it reduces the pH of seawater affecting the calcification of organisms such as corals, molluscs and some types of plankton.
The conditions it creates erodes the materials that these animals use to form their shells.
What are cetaceans and what are some examples of species in this group?
Cetaceans are a group of marine mammals that includes whales, dolphins and porpoises.
What role do turtles play in oceanic ecosystems?
Marine turtles help maintain the health of coral reefs and sea meadows by controlling the population of jellyfish and maintaining species diversity.
They are also prey and predator and can even be a host.
The Oliver Ridley Project has some more detailed information about their impact.
How does climate change impact marine life?
It alters the temperature of the water, raises the water level and affects the current patterns, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events that can result in the loss of habitats and loss of populations of many species.
Geology
How are limestone caves formed?
Limestone caves form through the process of chemical dissolutions, where acidic water (usually with dissolved carbon dioxide), dissolves limestone over time, creating underground cavities and chambers.
It’s the carbon dioxide that makes the water acidic in case the answer isn’t clear.
What is an earthquake and what are its principal causes?
An earthquake is a tremor or shaking of the earth’s surface caused by the sudden release of energy accumulated in the tectonic faults. Its main causes include movement of the tectonic plates, volcanic activity and pressure on geological faults.
What types of rock are formed by solidified lava?
Extrusive or volcanic igneous rocks, such as basalt and andesite
How do you measure the magnitude of an earthquake?
The Richter Scale or the Moment Magnitude Scale quantify the energy an earthquake releases.
What are glaciers and what is their impact on shaping the land?
Glaciers are large masses of ice that slowly move over land. It’s impact on shaping the land includes erosion and sediment transport, creating U-shaped valleys, moraines and fjords.
Miscellaneous
This section exists as an FAQ sort of section for questions that other people are asking, that aren’t strictly related to biology or geology.
What is a vol?
A vol, the abbreviation of volume, refers to one of a set of related books, papers or articles.