Botany 1 for Midterm Flashcards
Q. What is the definition of science?
A: A systematized body of knowledge gained through observation and experimentation.
Q: What are the steps in the scientific method?
A: Observation, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Collection, Analysis, Conclusion, Retest.
Q: What is a hypothesis in science?
A: A suggested solution to a problem that must be testable, often written as an “If… then…” statement.
Q: What is the difference between a theory and a law in science?
A: A theory is a testable explanation based on observations that can be replaced by a better theory. A law is based on facts, proven true with no exemptions, and is universally observable.
Q: Who built the early microscope and what was its significance?
A: Hans Janssen and Zacharias Janssen; their invention marked the beginning of microscopic exploration of the natural world.
Q: What is the basic unit of structure and function in living things?
A: The cell.
Q: What are prokaryotic cells and what is their key characteristic?
A: Prokaryotic cells (like bacteria and archaea) do not have a nucleus and their DNA is not enclosed by membranes.
Q: What are eukaryotic cells and how do they differ from prokaryotic cells?
A: Eukaryotic cells (plants, animals) contain organelles, including a nucleus where DNA is enclosed, and are more complex than prokaryotic cells.
Q: What is the purpose of a control in an experiment?
A: A control is used for comparison and is not being tested, helping to isolate the effects of the independent variable.
Q: What are the three key principles of modern cell theory?
A: 1) All living things are made of cells, 2) cells are the basic unit of structure and function in life, 3) all cells come from pre-existing cells.
- What is the purpose of retesting an experiment?
A) To ensure the hypothesis is correct
B) To verify and confirm the reliability of the results
C) To change the variables and get new results
D) To gather more qualitative data
Answer: B
- In a scientific experiment, what is the variable called that is changed by the experimenter?
A) Control variable
B) Dependent variable
C) Independent variable
D) Qualitative variable
Answer: C
- Who coined the term “cell” in biology, and in which publication was it introduced?
A) Anton van Leeuwenhoek, “Microscope Discovery”
B) Robert Hooke, “Micrographia”
C) Ernst Ruska, “Cellular Anatomy”
D) Theodore Schwann, “The Cell Theory”
Answer: B
- What type of microscope was developed by Ernst Ruska and Max Knoll?
A) Simple microscope
B) Compound microscope
C) Electron microscope
D) Scanning microscope
Answer: C
- What is one main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
A) Prokaryotic cells have a nucleus
B) Eukaryotic cells lack organelles
C) Prokaryotic cells have their DNA enclosed in a nucleus
D) Eukaryotic cells contain organelles, including a nucleus
Answer: D
Cell Membrane
Controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell
Cell Wall
Provides structural support and protection for the cell
Nuclear Membrane
Protects the nucleus and allows materials to pass in and out
Chromosomes
Contain the genetic material (DNA) that controls the cell’s activities
Cytoplasm
Gel-like substance that fills the cell and contains organelles
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Transports materials throughout the cell
Ribosomes
Site of protein synthesis
Mitochondria
The “powerhouse of the cell,” produces energy through cellular respiration
Golgi Bodies
Packages and modifies proteins and other materials for transport
Lysosome
Digests cellular waste and foreign substances
Vacuoles
Store water, food, and waste products
Chloroplast
Found in plant cells; site of photosynthesis
Nucleoid
The region in prokaryotic cells where the DNA is located