The cell is considered the smallest living unit capable of independent functioning. All organisms are composed of cells, making it the fundamental building block of life.

Mitochondria generate most of the cell's supply of ATP, which is used as the main energy source. Their role in cellular respiration makes them essential for energy production and overall cellular metabolism.

The cell membrane acts as a selective barrier that controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell. It is crucial for maintaining the proper internal environment necessary for cellular functions.

Chlorophyll is the primary pigment that absorbs sunlight for the process of photosynthesis. It gives plants their green color and is vital for converting light energy into chemical energy.

During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This gas is used in conjunction with water to produce glucose and oxygen, essential for plant growth.

DNA replication takes place during the S phase of the cell cycle. This process ensures that genetic material is accurately duplicated before cell division occurs.

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This process is important for maintaining cell hydration and balance.

An organism with one dominant and one recessive allele is termed heterozygous. In such cases, the dominant allele is typically expressed in the organism's phenotype.

Crossing over occurs during prophase I of meiosis when homologous chromosomes exchange segments. This exchange increases genetic diversity among the resulting gametes.

Ribosomes are the cellular structures responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA. This process is crucial for cell repair, growth, and overall function.

The light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis take place in the chloroplasts, where chlorophyll absorbs sunlight. These reactions convert light energy into chemical energy, which is later used to produce sugars.

Centrioles play a key role in organizing the spindle fibers that segregate chromosomes during cell division. Their correct functioning is essential for the accurate distribution of genetic material into daughter cells.

Enzymes function by lowering the activation energy needed for biochemical reactions, thereby speeding up the reaction rate. They do this without being consumed in the reaction and without affecting the overall equilibrium.

While glycolysis is the initial pathway that breaks down glucose, fermentation is the process that continues ATP production when oxygen is absent. Fermentation converts pyruvate into lactic acid or ethanol, allowing glycolysis to persist by regenerating NAD+.

All living organisms exhibit metabolism, reproduction, and growth, and they have the ability to adapt to their environment. The inability to adapt is not a characteristic of living things, making it the correct answer.

The Electron Transport Chain is the stage in aerobic respiration where most ATP is produced through oxidative phosphorylation. This process harnesses the energy of electrons to generate a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis.

Frameshift mutations result from insertions or deletions that change the reading frame of the gene. This alteration typically leads to a drastic change in the amino acid sequence, often rendering the protein nonfunctional.

Fossil records that display transitional forms offer concrete evidence of evolutionary change over time. These fossils link modern species to their ancient ancestors and illustrate the gradual development of traits through evolution.

Keystone species play a crucial role in maintaining the stability and structure of an ecosystem. Their removal can trigger disproportionate changes, potentially leading to a collapse of the ecosystem's balance.

Enzymes speed up biochemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed. They achieve this without being consumed, which allows them to facilitate multiple reaction cycles efficiently.