BIO 101 Test 1 Study Guide Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is biology?
The scientific study of life and living organisms.
Characteristics of Life
Organization – Living things have cellular organization.
Metabolism – Energy processing (e.g., cellular respiration).
Homeostasis – Maintaining stable internal conditions.
Growth and Development – Increase in size or complexity.
Reproduction – Producing offspring.
Response to Stimuli – Reacting to the environment.
Evolution – Change in a population over generations.
Genetic Material – DNA controls heredity.
Adaptation – Traits that improve survival.
Life on a Size Scale (smallest to largest)
Atom → Molecule → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biosphere
Taxonomy Hierarchy (Specific to Broad)
Species → Genus → Family → Order → Class → Phylum → Kingdom → Domain
What is Binomial Nomenclature?
A two-name system (Genus species), e.g., Homo sapiens. Genus capitalized, species lowercase, both italicized.
List the steps of the Scientific Method
Question
Hypothesis
Experiment
Data Collection
Conclusion
Repeat/Revise
What does a Good Experiment Setup look like?
Independent Variable: What you change (e.g., light exposure)
Dependent Variable: What you measure (e.g., plant height)
Control Group: No change
Constants: Same soil, water, pot size
Repetition: Reduces error
What are atoms made of?
Protons (positive, nucleus)
Neutrons (neutral, nucleus)
Electrons (negative, orbitals)
Example: Carbon → 6 protons, 6 neutrons, 6 electrons
How to Read the Periodic Table
Protons = Atomic number
Electrons = Protons (in neutral atom)
Neutrons = Atomic mass - Atomic number
Valence Electrons = Group number (main groups)
Group = Column
Period = Row
What types of Chemical Bonds are they and how do they work?
Nonpolar Covalent: Equal sharing (e.g., O₂)
Polar Covalent: Unequal sharing (e.g., H₂O)
Ionic: Transfer of electrons (e.g., NaCl)
Hydrogen Bonding: Weak bond between H of one molecule and O/N/F of another (e.g., between water molecules)
What is the Importance of Valence Electrons?
Determine bonding behavior and chemical reactivity of atoms.
What are the Properties of Water?
Cohesion
Adhesion
Surface tension
High specific heat
High heat of vaporization
Density of ice < water
Solvent of life
Capillary action
pH neutrality
Participates in chemical reactions
What are the 4 Macromolecules of life (and their Monomers?)
Carbohydrates: Monomer = Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose)
Proteins: Monomer = Amino acids (e.g., lysine)
Lipids: No true monomer, but glycerol and fatty acids
Nucleic Acids: Monomer = Nucleotides (e.g., DNA, RNA)
Dehydration vs. Hydrolysis
Dehydration: Removes water to build polymers (e.g., forming proteins)
Hydrolysis: Adds water to break polymers (e.g., digestion)
Fats vs. Oils
Fats: Solid at room temp, saturated (e.g., butter)
Oils: Liquid at room temp, unsaturated (e.g., olive oil)
RNA vs. DNA vs. ATP
DNA: Double helix, deoxyribose, genetic info
RNA: Single strand, ribose, makes proteins
ATP: Energy currency, has 3 phosphate groups
Carbohydrates: Energy vs. Structure
Energy: Glucose, starch, glycogen
Structural: Cellulose (plants), chitin (fungi/insects)
Functions of Proteins
Enzymes
Transport (e.g., hemoglobin)
Structure (e.g., collagen)
Defense (antibodies)
Signaling (hormones)
Movement (actin/myosin)
Protein Shape & Denaturing
Shape determines function
Denatured = Loss of shape due to heat/pH → loss of function
Nucleotide Structure
DNA/RNA: Phosphate + Sugar (deoxyribose/ribose) + Nitrogen base
ATP: Same but with 3 phosphates
“Draw” a typical amino acid
Amino group (NH₂)
Carboxyl group (COOH)
Central carbon (α-carbon)
Hydrogen atom
R-group (varies per amino acid)
DNA Nucleotide
Phosphate group
Sugar: Deoxyribose
Bases: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, Cytosine
RNA Nucleotide
Phosphate group
Sugar: Ribose
Bases: Adenine, Uracil, Guanine, Cytosine
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)
Three Phosphate Groups
Sugar: Ribose
Base: Adenine
