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General Biology Exam 1 Key Concepts

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  • What are the unifying themes in biology?

    Evolution, structure and function, information flow, energy transformations, systems biology, and scientific inquiry are the unifying themes.

  • What is a cell?

    A cell is the basic unit of life, the smallest structure capable of performing all life functions.

  • How are prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells similar and different?

    Both have plasma membranes, DNA, and ribosomes. Prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes have both.

  • How do you write scientific names like homo sapiens?

    Scientific names are italicized with the genus capitalized and species lowercase: Homo sapiens. When typed, italicize; when handwritten, underline.

  • What are the domains of life?

    The three domains are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

  • Differences between qualitative and quantitative data?

    Qualitative data describes qualities or characteristics; quantitative data involves numerical measurements.

  • Identify independent variable, dependent variable, control, and constant.

    Independent variable is changed; dependent variable is measured; control is the standard for comparison; constants are factors kept the same.

  • Define theory, hypothesis, law, belief, and fact.

    Theory: well-supported explanation; hypothesis: testable prediction; law: descriptive generalization; belief: personal conviction; fact: observation confirmed repeatedly.

  • Define atoms, molecules, and compounds.

    Atoms are basic units of matter; molecules are two or more atoms bonded; compounds are molecules with different elements.

  • What is atomic number, mass number, and atomic mass?

    Atomic number: number of protons; mass number: protons + neutrons; atomic mass: average mass of isotopes.

  • What is an isotope?

    An isotope is an atom of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

  • How to compute protons, electrons, and neutrons for an element?

    Protons = atomic number; electrons = protons (neutral atom); neutrons = mass number - atomic number.

  • Example: How many protons and electrons does Iron-56 have?

    Iron has atomic number 26, so 26 protons and 26 electrons. Mass number 56 means neutrons = 56 - 26 = 30.

  • How are chemical bonds formed? Which are strongest and weakest?

    Bonds form by electron interactions. Covalent bonds are strongest; ionic bonds are strong but weaker than covalent; hydrogen bonds are weakest.

  • What are reactants and products in a chemical reaction?

    Reactants are starting substances; products are substances formed by the reaction.

  • What are polar covalent bonds?

    Polar covalent bonds occur when electrons are shared unequally between atoms, creating partial charges.

  • What are the properties of water?

    Water is cohesive, adhesive, has a high specific heat, high heat of vaporization, is a universal solvent, and expands when frozen.

  • What are hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances?

    Hydrophobic substances repel water; hydrophilic substances attract and dissolve in water.

  • Describe the pH scale.

    The pH scale measures acidity from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic), with 7 as neutral.

  • What is ocean acidification?

    Ocean acidification is the decrease in ocean pH caused by increased CO2 dissolving and forming carbonic acid.

  • What is organic chemistry and an organic molecule?

    Organic chemistry studies carbon-containing compounds; organic molecules contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen and other elements.

  • Explain the Stanley Miller experiment.

    The experiment simulated early Earth conditions and produced organic molecules, supporting abiotic synthesis of life’s building blocks.

  • What are isomers?

    Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different structures.

  • Name the seven functional groups important in life chemistry.

    Hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, and methyl groups.

  • What is a polymer and a monomer?

    A polymer is a large molecule made of repeating monomers, which are smaller subunits.

  • What elements make up carbohydrates and their types?

    Carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Types include monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

  • Explain dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis reactions.

    Dehydration synthesis joins monomers by removing water; hydrolysis breaks polymers by adding water.

  • What are the four levels of protein structure?

    Primary: amino acid sequence; secondary: alpha helices and beta sheets; tertiary: 3D folding; quaternary: multiple polypeptides.

  • What is ATP and its function?

    ATP (adenosine triphosphate) stores and transfers energy in cells; it has adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups.