exam 1 Flashcards
Scientific Method
A systematic approach to inquiry in science involving observations, hypotheses, experiments, and conclusions.
Testifiable
Capable of being tested or evaluated through experimentation.
Hypothesis
A testable and falsifiable explanation for a phenomenon or behavior.
Falsifiable
A characteristic of a hypothesis that means it can be proven false through evidence.
Control Group
A group in an experiment not receiving treatment, used for comparison.
Experimental Group
The group in an experiment receiving the treatment being tested.
Placebo
An inert substance that resembles the treatment but lacks the active component.
Double Blind
An experimental design where both participants and researchers are unaware of group assignments.
Treatment
The specific condition or factor being manipulated in an experiment.
Correlation
A statistical relationship between variables, not implying causation.
Secondary Source
Interpretations or summaries of primary sources.
Primary Source
Original documents or materials providing direct firsthand information.
Solute
A substance dissolved in a solvent to create a solution.
Solvent
A substance in which solutes can dissolve to form a solution.
Life Characteristics (C,R,M,R,E,M,H)
Cellular Organization, Reproduction, Metabolism, Response to Stimuli, Homeostasis, Evolution, Heredity.
Solution
A homogeneous mixture of a solute dissolved in a solvent.
Element
A pure substance composed of atoms with the same number of protons.
Molecule
A group of bonded atoms, the smallest unit of a compound.
Compound
A substance formed by the chemical bonding of different elements.
Atom
The smallest unit of an element, consisting of a nucleus and electrons.
Electron
A negatively charged subatomic particle orbiting an atom’s nucleus.
Neutron
A neutral subatomic particle in an atom’s nucleus.
Proton
A positively charged subatomic particle in an atom’s nucleus.
Nucleus
The central part of an atom containing protons and neutrons.
Ionic Bond
A chemical bond formed by electron transfer, resulting in charged ions.
Molecule
A group of atoms bonded together.
Atomic Number
The number of protons in an atom, determining its element identity.
Hydrogen Bond
A weak bond between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.
Covalent Bond
A bond formed by sharing electrons between atoms.
Valence Shell/Orbital
The outermost electron shell of an atom, influencing its chemical behavior.
Ion
An atom or molecule with an electric charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.
Polarity
Uneven distribution of charge in a molecule, resulting in positive and negative ends.
Isotope
Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
Hydrophobic
Repellent to water, often due to nonpolar characteristics.
Organic
Compounds containing carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms.
Inorganic
Substances or compounds lacking carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds.
5 Macromolecules
Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Polysaccharides.
Amino Acid
Building blocks of proteins, with an amino group, carboxyl group, and variable side chain.
Peptide Bond
A covalent bond between two amino acids in protein synthesis.
Enzyme
A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms.
-ose
Suffix indicating a sugar or carbohydrate (e.g., glucose, fructose).
Side Group
A variable part of an amino acid, giving it unique properties.
1:2:1 CHO
The molecular ratio of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) in carbohydrates.
-ase
Suffix often used for enzyme names (e.g., amylase, lipase).
Prokaryotic
Organisms lacking a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Eukaryotic
Organisms with a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Organelle
A specialized subunit within a cell with specific functions.
Cytoplasm
The gel-like substance inside cells containing organelles.
Autotroph
An organism that can produce its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, often referred to as a “producer.”
Plasma Membrane
The outer membrane of a cell, controlling substance passage.
Ribosome
Cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis.
Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants and some other organisms convert light energy, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen, using chlorophyll.
Matrix
The innermost compartment of mitochondria.
Mitochondria
Organelles generating energy (ATP) through cellular respiration.
Thylakoid
A membrane structure within chloroplasts where photosynthesis occurs
Chloroplast
Organelle in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis.
Calvin Cycle
The second stage of photosynthesis where carbon dioxide is fixed and converted into glucose using ATP and NADPH produced in the light reactions.
Stroma
The fluid-filled space within chloroplasts where the Calvin Cycle takes place.
Endosymbiosis
A theory explaining the origin of organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts from ancient prokaryotes.
Light Reactions
The initial stage of photosynthesis where light energy is captured and converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH.
Kreb’s Cycle
The second stage of aerobic respiration, taking place in the mitochondria, where pyruvate is further oxidized to produce ATP and electron carriers
Heterotroph
An organism that obtains its energy and nutrients by consuming other organisms, often referred to as a “consumer.”
Glycolysis
The first stage of aerobic respiration, occurring in the cytoplasm, where glucose is broken down into pyruvate and a small amount of ATP.
Fermentation
An anaerobic process that follows glycolysis when oxygen is scarce, converting pyruvate into lactic acid (in animals) or ethanol (in yeast), producing a small amount of ATP.
C6H12O6 + 6O2 => 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP
The chemical equation representing aerobic respiration, where glucose and oxygen are converted into carbon dioxide, water, and ATP to release energy.
Aerobic Respiration
The process by which cells generate energy (ATP) from glucose and oxygen, involving glycolysis, the Krebs Cycle, and the electron transport chain.
6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight => C6H12O6 + 6O2
The chemical equation representing photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of sunlight, are converted into glucose and oxygen.
Electron Transport Chain
A series of protein complexes embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfers electrons and generates a proton gradient to produce ATP.
Concentration Gradient
A difference in the concentration of a substance between two regions, often driving the movement of substances from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.
Greenhouse Gas
A gas in the Earth’s atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane, that traps heat and contributes to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming.
Active Site
A region on an enzyme where the substrate binds, facilitating the chemical reaction.
Substrate
The specific molecule upon which an enzyme acts to catalyze a chemical reaction.
Product
The result of a chemical reaction catalyzed by an enzyme, produced from the interaction between the substrate and the enzyme’s active site.
Isotonic
A solution with the same solute concentration as another solution, resulting in no net movement of water across a cell membrane.
Hypertonic
A solution with a higher solute concentration compared to another solution, causing water to move out of cells and leading to cell shrinkag
Hypotonic
A solution with a lower solute concentration compared to another solution, causing water to move into cells and leading to cell swelling or bursting.
