BackGeneral Biology Exam 1 Review
09:50
Terms in this set (32)
The organization of life from largest to smallest, starting with the biosphere (Earth) down to ecosystems, communities, populations, organisms, organs, tissues, cells, organelles, and molecules.
New properties that arise at each level of biological organization due to interactions among components, not present at lower levels.
The cell is the smallest unit of life capable of performing all life functions.
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and organelles.
DNA is composed of nucleotides with a sugar-phosphate backbone and nitrogenous bases; it forms chromosomes.
A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein or functional RNA.
The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, usually a protein.
Energy flows through ecosystems from producers to consumers and is lost as heat; nutrients cycle within the system.
Producers make their own food via photosynthesis; consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms.
The process of change in populations over generations, explaining unity and diversity of life.
Bacteria, Archaea (both prokaryotes), and Eukarya (eukaryotes); classified by cell type and genetics.
A mechanism of evolution where individuals with favorable traits survive and reproduce more; credited to Charles Darwin.
Observation, hypothesis, prediction, experiment, analysis, and conclusion.
A hypothesis is a testable prediction; a theory is a well-supported explanation.
Atoms consist of protons, neutrons (in nucleus), and electrons (in shells); electron arrangement determines chemical behavior.
Ionic, covalent (polar and nonpolar), hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals interactions.
The tendency of an atom to attract electrons in a bond, influencing bond polarity.
Water is polar, has high specific heat, evaporative cooling, ice floats due to hydrogen bonding, and is the solvent of life.
Acids increase H+ concentration; bases increase OH- concentration; pH measures acidity or alkalinity.
Carbon-based molecules including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Large molecules made of repeating units called monomers linked by covalent bonds.
Dehydration builds polymers by removing water; hydrolysis breaks polymers by adding water.
Primary (amino acid sequence), secondary (alpha helices, beta sheets), tertiary (3D folding), quaternary (multiple polypeptides).
Loss of protein structure and function due to environmental changes like temperature or pH.
DNA and RNA, polymers of nucleotides; DNA has deoxyribose, RNA has ribose sugars.
Prokaryotic cells lack nucleus; eukaryotic cells have nucleus and organelles.
Includes nuclear envelope, ER, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vesicles; involved in protein synthesis and transport.
Explains origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts as formerly free-living prokaryotes engulfed by eukaryotic cells.
Describes the plasma membrane as a fluid lipid bilayer with embedded proteins that move laterally.
Membrane allows some substances to pass while blocking others; facilitated by proteins like aquaporins.
Movement of molecules against their concentration gradient using energy (ATP) and transport proteins.
Signal reception, transduction via protein cascades, and cellular response; involves second messengers and phosphorylation.