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General Biology Study Guide Flashcards

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  • What is Biology and what defines life?

    Biology is the study of life and living organisms. Life is defined by characteristics such as growth, reproduction, metabolism, response to stimuli, homeostasis, and cellular organization.

  • What are the central unifying themes in biology?

    The cell theory states all living things are made of cells. Evolution by natural selection explains the diversity and adaptation of organisms over time.

  • How does the scientific method develop understanding in biology?

    It uses observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and analysis. Theories are well-supported explanations that can be modified or rejected based on new evidence. Science explains natural phenomena but cannot address supernatural claims.

  • Why is the metric system important in science?

    The metric system provides standardized units for measurement, essential for accuracy and reproducibility. Basic units include meter (length), gram (mass), and liter (volume).

  • What are atoms, elements, isotopes, and ions?

    Atoms are basic units of matter. Elements are pure substances of one atom type. Isotopes have different neutron numbers. Ions are charged atoms due to electron loss or gain.

  • What is the octet rule and its role in bonding?

    The octet rule states atoms tend to have eight electrons in their valence shell for stability, guiding how atoms form bonds.

  • What are the three types of chemical bonds and their relative strengths?

    Covalent bonds (strongest) share electrons, ionic bonds transfer electrons, and hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between polar molecules.

  • What properties of water make it essential for life?

    Water's polarity and hydrogen bonds give it cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, high specific heat, and solvent abilities. Ice floats due to its lower density from hydrogen bonding.

  • What is pH and how does it relate to acids and bases?

    pH measures hydrogen ion concentration. Acids increase [H+], bases increase [OH-], and buffers stabilize pH by neutralizing excess ions.

  • What is the importance of carbon in biological molecules?

    Carbon forms four covalent bonds, allowing diverse structures. Functional groups and isomers affect molecule properties and functions.

  • What is the relationship between monomers and polymers?

    Monomers are single units that join via condensation (dehydration synthesis) to form polymers. Polymers break down by hydrolysis.

  • What are the functions and examples of carbohydrates?

    Carbohydrates provide energy and structural support. Monomers are monosaccharides (e.g., glucose), polymers include starch and cellulose.

  • What are the four levels of protein structure?

    Primary: amino acid sequence; secondary: alpha helices and beta sheets via hydrogen bonds; tertiary: 3D folding via various bonds; quaternary: multiple polypeptide chains.

  • What are nucleic acids and their functions?

    Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information. Monomers are nucleotides. DNA and RNA differ in sugar and bases; RNA can catalyze reactions.

  • What makes phospholipids amphipathic?

    Phospholipids have a hydrophilic (polar) head and hydrophobic (nonpolar) tails, allowing bilayer formation in membranes.

  • What is the cell theory?

    All living organisms are composed of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

  • What are the four structures common to all cells?

    Cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and genetic material (DNA or RNA).

  • What are key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

    Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles and nucleus; eukaryotes have both. Eukaryotes have compartmentalization via organelles.

  • What is the endosymbiotic theory?

    It proposes mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from free-living prokaryotes engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells, supported by their own DNA and double membranes.

  • What is the structure and function of the cell membrane?

    Composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins, it is selectively permeable and fluid, regulating substance movement and cell communication.

  • What are diffusion, osmosis, and active transport?

    Diffusion: movement of molecules from high to low concentration; osmosis: diffusion of water; active transport: energy-dependent movement against concentration gradient.

  • How do cells communicate?

    Cells use receptors and ligands (signal molecules) for intracellular and intercellular communication, often amplifying signals via ATP or GTP energy.

  • What factors affect enzyme activity?

    Enzyme activity depends on activation energy, enzyme and substrate concentrations, inhibitors, temperature, and pH affecting enzyme shape and function.

  • What is the generalized formula for aerobic respiration?

    \(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + ATP}\)

  • Where do glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and electron transport occur?

    Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm; Krebs cycle and electron transport occur in the mitochondria.

  • What is chemiosmosis and ATP synthase?

    Chemiosmosis uses a proton gradient to drive ATP synthase, producing ATP during electron transport in mitochondria.

  • What is photosynthesis and where does it occur?

    Photosynthesis converts light energy to chemical energy in chloroplasts of plant cells.

  • What are photosystem I and II?

    Photosystem II splits water to produce ATP; Photosystem I produces NADPH; both work in the light-dependent reactions.

  • What is the Calvin cycle?

    The light-independent reaction fixing CO2 into glucose using ATP and NADPH, involving ribulose bisphosphate and rubisco enzymes.

  • What is DNA replication semi-conservative?

    Each new DNA molecule contains one original strand and one newly synthesized strand, as shown by Meselson-Stahl experiments.

  • What is the role of DNA polymerase III?

    DNA polymerase III synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction, requiring an RNA primer.

  • What is the lac operon model of gene regulation?

    It uses negative control where the repressor binds the operator to block transcription; lactose acts as an inducer to inactivate the repressor.