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General Biology Key Concepts

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Terms in this set (22)

  • What defines a valid scientific hypothesis?
    A valid scientific hypothesis is testable and can be supported or refuted by experimentation.
  • In an experiment testing vitamin C's effect on colds, what is the dependent variable?
    The dependent variable is the number of people who get sick in control and experimental groups.

  • How can you tell which species are closely related on phylogenetic trees?

    Based on how close nodes are to each other.

  • What must scientific hypotheses be?
    Scientific hypotheses must be testable.
  • What is a scientific theory?
    A scientific theory encompasses many well-supported hypotheses.
  • What is the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology?
    It describes the flow of information in a cell as DNA → RNA → Protein.
  • Which elements are part of the 'big six' most common in living organisms?
    The big six are Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.
  • Why is carbon so versatile in biological molecules?
    Carbon can form multiple bonds with several other atoms, allowing complex molecules.
  • Order chemical bonds from strongest to weakest.
    Covalent > Ionic > Hydrogen bonds.
  • Why does water interact well with ions?
    Water is polar, allowing it to interact well with ions.
  • Which substance diffuses most easily through a cell membrane?
    O2 gas diffuses most easily due to its small, nonpolar nature.
  • What allows molecules to diffuse through membranes without energy?
    Protein channels allow passive diffusion; protein pumps use energy for active transport.
  • Difference between diffusion and osmosis?
    Diffusion is movement of the solute; osmosis is movement of the solvent across membranes.
  • What type of bond links amino acids in a polypeptide?
    A peptide bond is the covalent bond between adjacent amino acids.
  • What is the tertiary structure of a protein?
    The fully folded, functional structure of a single polypeptide chain.
  • What bonds hold atoms within a water molecule and between water molecules?
    Within water: polar covalent bonds; between water molecules: hydrogen bonds.
  • Which group is NOT part of an amino acid?
    Amino acids do NOT contain a phosphate group.
  • What is the primary structure of a protein?
    The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
  • Which amino acid is likely found in a Na+ binding site?
    Glutamate is negatively charged and likely binds Na+.
  • Does creating a new covalent bond require or release energy?
    Creating a new covalent bond requires energy.
  • Which reactions require energy input to proceed?
    Endergonic reactions require an input of energy.
  • Do enzymes decrease the ∆G of a chemical reaction?
    No, enzymes do not decrease ∆G; they lower activation energy.