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General Biology Key Concepts and Terms

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Termini in questo insieme (32)

  • Single-celled prokaryotic organisms that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

    Bacteria

  • Signal cell prokaryotes often living in extreme environments; many extremophiles belong here.

    Archaea

  • Organisms with cells containing a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, including animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

    Eukarya

  • A testable explanation for an observation or phenomenon.

    Hypothesis

  • A well-supported explanation of natural phenomena backed by extensive evidence and testing.

    Theory

  • The factor that is purposely changed or manipulated in an experiment.

    Independent Variable

  • The factor that is measured or observed in response to changes in the independent variable.

    Dependent Variable

  • An experiment where only one variable changes; others are kept constant. Includes a control group and an experimental group.

    Controlled experiment

  • Living things are made of cells, use energy, grow, reproduce, respond to environment, maintain homeostasis, and have DNA.

    Properties of living things

  • 1) Bacteria, 2) Archaea, 3) Eukarya.

    Three domains of life

  • From smallest to largest: Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere.

    Hierarchy of Life Organization

  • An element required by organisms in very small amounts but essential for life.

    Trace Elements

  • The smallest unit of an element that retains its properties.

    Atom

  • Positively charged particle (+) located in the nucleus of an atom.

    Proton

  • Neutral particle (0 charge) located in the nucleus of an atom.

    neutron

  • Negatively charged particle (-) found in electron shells surrounding the nucleus.

    Electron

  • Isotope
    Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
  • Covalent Bond
    A bond formed when atoms share electrons.
  • Ionic Bond
    A bond formed when one atom transfers electrons to another, creating charged ions.
  • Electronegativity
    An atom's ability to attract electrons in a bond.
  • Polar Molecule
    A molecule with unequal sharing of electrons, creating partial positive and negative charges.
  • Hydrogen Bond
    A weak attraction between a partially positive hydrogen atom and a partially negative atom on another molecule.
  • Cohesion vs Adhesion
    Cohesion: attraction between molecules of the same substance. Adhesion: attraction between molecules of different substances.
  • Acid/Base and pH Scale
    Acids have pH < 7 (high H⁺), bases have pH > 7 (low H⁺), and neutral solutions have pH = 7.
  • Organic Compound
    Molecules containing carbon and hydrogen, forming the basis of most biological molecules.
  • Dehydration Reaction
    A reaction that joins monomers by removing water to form polymers.
  • Hydrolysis Reaction
    A reaction that breaks polymers apart by adding water.
  • Monomer and Polymer Examples
    Carbohydrates: monosaccharides; Proteins: amino acids; Nucleic acids: nucleotides.
  • Saturated vs Unsaturated Fats
    Saturated fats have no double bonds and are usually solid; unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds and are usually liquid.
  • Four Levels of Protein Structure
    Primary: amino acid sequence; Secondary: alpha helices and beta sheets; Tertiary: 3D folding; Quaternary: multiple polypeptides.
  • DNA Backbone Composition
    The backbone of DNA is made of sugar and phosphate groups.
  • Base Pairing in DNA
    Nitrogenous bases pair by hydrogen bonds: Adenine with Thymine, Guanine with Cytosine.