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General Biology: Key Concepts and Learning Objectives

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Termini in questo insieme (27)

  • Characteristics that define living cells

    Living cells have properties such as organization, metabolism, growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, and homeostasis.

  • Scientific method steps

    Includes observation, hypothesis development, experimentation, data analysis, and conclusion drawing.

  • Difference between hypothesis and theory

    A hypothesis is a testable prediction; a theory is a well-supported explanation based on many experiments.

  • Control group vs experimental group

    The control group is not exposed to the variable; the experimental group is exposed to the variable being tested.

  • Dependent variable vs independent variable

    The independent variable is manipulated; the dependent variable is measured as the outcome.

  • Unifying themes in biology

    Include evolution, flow of information, structure-function relationship, and interactions among organisms.

  • Components of an atom relevant to biology

    Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons; electrons form chemical bonds.

  • Difference between atoms and molecules

    An atom is a single element unit; a molecule is two or more atoms bonded together.

  • Covalent bond vs ionic bond

    Covalent bonds share electrons; ionic bonds transfer electrons between atoms.

  • Polar vs non-polar molecules

    Polar molecules have uneven charge distribution; non-polar molecules have even charge distribution.

  • Hydrophobic vs hydrophilic substances

    Hydrophobic substances repel water; hydrophilic substances attract water.

  • Acidic vs basic solutions

    Acidic solutions have pH < 7; basic solutions have pH > 7.

  • Role of hydrogen bonding in life

    Hydrogen bonds stabilize structures like DNA and proteins and influence water properties.

  • Major carbon-containing compounds in cells

    Include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

  • Macromolecules and their monomers

    Carbohydrates (monosaccharides), lipids (fatty acids), proteins (amino acids), nucleic acids (nucleotides).

  • Hierarchy of life organization

    From atoms to molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biosphere.

  • Cell size and surface area to volume ratio

    Smaller cells have a higher surface area to volume ratio, facilitating efficient exchange of materials.

  • Common structures in bacterial, plant, and animal cells

    Include cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and DNA.

  • Functions of plant and animal cell organelles

    Examples: mitochondria produce energy, chloroplasts conduct photosynthesis, nucleus stores DNA.

  • Endomembrane system organelles

    Includes nuclear envelope, ER, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and vesicles.

  • Endosymbiotic theory

    Explains evolution of mitochondria and chloroplasts as formerly free-living bacteria.

  • Phospholipid structure in cell membranes

    Composed of hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails forming a bilayer that controls substance movement.

  • Water transport across membranes

    Occurs mainly by osmosis through aquaporins in the cell membrane.

  • Active vs passive transport

    Active transport requires energy to move substances against gradient; passive transport does not.

  • Exocytosis vs endocytosis

    Exocytosis exports materials out of the cell; endocytosis imports materials into the cell.

  • ATP role in energy transfer

    ATP transfers energy from exergonic to endergonic reactions by releasing phosphate groups.

  • Functions of enzymes in metabolism

    Enzymes catalyze metabolic reactions by lowering activation energy and increasing reaction rates.