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General Biology: Key Concepts and Structures

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Terms in this set (20)

  • Levels of Biology

    10 levels: molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, populations, community, ecosystems, biosphere.

  • Properties of Life

    Order, Energy Processing, Regulation, Evolutionary Adaptation, Response to Environment, Growth & Development, Reproduction.

  • Evolutionary Theory

    Change in inheritable characteristics of biological populations over generations, driven by forces like mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, and natural selection.

  • Natural Selection

    Differential reproduction of hereditary variants increasing survival and reproduction, a primary mechanism of evolutionary change.

  • Atom Structure

    Consists of a central nucleus with protons (+) and neutrons (neutral), surrounded by electrons (-) in shells.

  • Electron Shells and Orbitals

    Electrons occupy energy levels (shells) and orbitals; energy changes when electrons move between orbitals.

  • Element vs Compound

    Element: pure substance of one atom type. Compound: two or more elements chemically bonded.

  • Ions: Cations and Anions

    Cations: positively charged (lost electrons). Anions: negatively charged (gained electrons).

  • Types of Chemical Bonds

    Covalent: shared electrons; Ionic: attraction between charged ions; Hydrogen bonds: weak attractions involving H; van der Waals: very weak transient forces.

  • Isomers: Cis-Trans and Enantiomers

    Cis-trans: same bonds, different spatial arrangement. Enantiomers: mirror-image isomers important in biology.

  • Water Molecule Bonds

    Oxygen and hydrogen connected by polar covalent bonds; hydrogen bonds form between water molecules.

  • Properties of Water

    High specific heat, cohesion, adhesion, floating ice, dissolving power, thermal energy—all due to hydrogen bonding.

  • pH Scale Basics

    Measures acidity/basicity: 0-6.9 acidic, 7 neutral, 7.1-14 basic; based on hydrogen ion concentration.

  • Macromolecules Classes

    Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids—each with distinct structures and biological functions.

  • Dehydration Synthesis vs Hydrolysis

    Dehydration builds polymers by removing water; hydrolysis breaks polymers by adding water.

  • Protein Structure Levels

    Primary: amino acid sequence; Secondary: local folding (α-helix, β-sheet); Tertiary: 3D shape; Quaternary: multiple subunits.

  • DNA vs RNA Structure

    DNA: double-stranded, deoxyribose sugar, bases A, T, C, G. RNA: single-stranded, ribose sugar, bases A, U, C, G.

  • Domains of Life

    Three domains: Bacteria, Archaea (prokaryotes), and Eukarya (eukaryotes).

  • Phylogenetic Tree

    Diagram showing evolutionary relationships; common ancestors link species.

  • Scientific Method Components

    Includes hypothesis (testable explanation), theory (well-tested), laws, observations, and experiments with controls.