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General Biology Exam Review Flashcards

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  • Scientific Hypothesis

    A testable, falsifiable explanation for an observation, based on prior knowledge and predictive, not a guess.

  • Independent Variable (IV)

    The factor you change on purpose in an experiment; the cause.

  • Dependent Variable (DV)

    The factor you measure in an experiment; the effect.

  • Controlled Variables (Constants)

    Conditions kept the same across groups to ensure the IV is the only difference.

  • Steps of the Scientific Method

    Observation, Question, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data collection, Analysis, Conclusion.

  • Atomic Number

    Number of protons in an atom's nucleus.

  • Valence Electrons

    Electrons in the outermost shell that determine bonding capacity.

  • Covalent Bond

    Bond formed when atoms share electrons. Can be nonpolar (equal sharing) or polar (unequal sharing).

  • Ionic Bond

    Bond formed when one atom donates and another accepts electrons, creating charged ions.

  • Hydrophilic vs. Hydrophobic

    Hydrophilic substances dissolve in water (polar/ionic); hydrophobic do not (nonpolar molecules).

  • Hydrogen Bond

    Weak bond between a partially positive hydrogen and a partially negative atom (O, N, F) on another molecule.

  • Why Carbon is Central to Organic Molecules

    Carbon has 4 valence electrons, forms 4 stable covalent bonds, and can create diverse chains and rings.

  • CHNOPS Elements

    Six most prevalent elements in life: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur.

  • Four Major Macromolecules

    Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids.

  • Dehydration Synthesis

    Process that builds polymers by removing water to form bonds.

  • Hydrolysis

    Process that breaks polymers by adding water to break bonds.

  • Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

    Prokaryotes lack nucleus and organelles; Eukaryotes have nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

  • Cell Theory

    All living things are made of cells; cells are basic units of life; all cells come from preexisting cells.

  • Function of Mitochondria

    Site of ATP production through cellular respiration.

  • Fluid Mosaic Model

    Describes plasma membrane as a fluid phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins forming a mosaic.

  • Catabolic vs. Anabolic Pathways

    Catabolic breaks down molecules and releases energy; anabolic builds molecules and requires energy.

  • ATP Function

    Cell's energy currency, coupling energy release and energy use.

  • Aerobic Respiration Overall Equation

    Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + ATP; \(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6 O_2 \rightarrow 6 CO_2 + 6 H_2O + ATP}\)

  • Photosynthesis Overall Equation

    Carbon dioxide + water + light → glucose + oxygen; \(6 CO_2 + 6 H_2O + \text{light} \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6 O_2\)

  • Mitosis vs. Meiosis

    Mitosis: one division, 2 identical diploid cells; Meiosis: two divisions, 4 unique haploid gametes.

  • Law of Segregation

    Alleles separate during gamete formation so each gamete carries one allele.

  • DNA Base Pairing Rules

    A pairs with T; C pairs with G; strands are complementary and antiparallel.

  • DNA Replication Enzymes

    Helicase unwinds DNA; Primase adds RNA primers; DNA polymerase III builds new DNA; Ligase seals fragments.

  • Transcription vs. Translation

    Transcription: DNA → mRNA in nucleus; Translation: mRNA → polypeptide in cytoplasm/ribosome.