Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

General Biology > Exam 1 > Flashcards

Exam 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Science

A

Not just facts, but a process…the scientific method. It’s a way of knowing about the natural world.

Characteristics of science:
Creative and critical
It relies on data from observations and experiments
It excludes supernatural explanations and personal wishes
It is never complete

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Scientific method

A

A systematic method of research consisting of putting a hypothesis to a test designed to disprove it, if it is in fact false

Steps of the scientific method roughly include:
Observations
Hypothesis (testable and falsifiable)
Testing
Conclusion (accept or reject hypothesis)
Peer review

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Hypothesis

A

Tentative explanation for an observation that requires testing to validate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Testable

A

Possible to evaluate through observations of the measurable universe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Falsifiable

A

Able to be proved false

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Theory

A

A scientific theory is “an explanation of a set of
related observations based on well-supported
hypothesis from several different, independent
lines of research.”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Prediction

A

Result expected from a particular test of a hypothesis if the hypothesis were true

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Experiment

A

Contrived situation designed to test specific hypotheses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Data

A

Information collected by scientists during hypothesis testing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Variables

A

A factor that varies in a population or over time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Independent variable

A

A factor whose value influences the value of the dependent variable, but is not influenced by it. In experiments, the variable that is manipulated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Dependent variable

A

The variable in a study that is expected to change in response to changes in the independent variable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Control

A

Subject for an experiment who is similar to experimental subject except is not exposed to the experimental treatment. Used as baseline values for comparison

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Random assignment

A

Placing individuals into experimental and control groups randomly to eliminate systematic differences between the groups

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Placebo

A

Sham treatments in experiments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Double blind

A

Experimental design protocol when both research subjects and scientists performing the measurements are unaware of either the experimental hypothesis or who is in the control or experimental group

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Bias

A

Influence of research participants’ opinions on experimental results

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Correlation

A

Relationship between 2 variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Causation

A

A change in one variable causes a change in another

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Sample size

A

Number of individuals in both the experimental and control groups

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Primary sources

A

Written by researchers and reviewed within the scientific community

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Secondary sources

A

Books, news reports, etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Anecdotal evidence

A

Information based on an individual’s personal experience

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Metabolism

A

All of the physical and chemical reactions that produce and use energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Homeostasis
The steady-state condition an organism works to maintain
26
Carbohydrates
Energy-rich molecule that is the major source of energy for the cell. Consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the ratio CH2O
27
Proteins
Cellular constituent made of amino acids coded for by genes. Proteins can have structural, transport, or enzymatic roles Functions: structure, speed up reactions, antibodies (immunity), hemoglobin (transport)
28
Lipids
Hydrophobic molecule, including fats, phospholipids, and steroids Functions: energy storage, insulation, chemical messengers, cell membrane structure
29
Nucleic acids
Polymers of nucleotides that comprise DNA and RNA Functions: blueprint for life, stores genetic information
30
Prokaryotic
Type of cell that does not have a nucleus or membrane-bounded organelles
31
Eukaryotic
Cell that has a nucleus and membrane-bounded organelles
32
Theory of Evolution
Theory that all organisms on Earth today are descendants of a single ancestor that arose in the distant past, driven. by natural selection
33
Natural selection
Process by which individuals with certain traits have greater survival and reproduction than individuals who lack these traits, resulting in an increase in the frequency of successful alleles and a decrease in the frequency of unsuccessful ones
34
Macronutrients
Nutrient required in large quantities
35
Complex carbohydrates
Carbohydrate consisting of two or more monosaccharides; ideal. Examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose (dietary fiber)
36
Simple carbohydrates
Simple sugars such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, etc
37
Essential amino acids
The 9 essential amino acids are not made by our bodies and therefore must be supplied through our diets
38
Saturated fat
Type of lipid rich in single bonds. Found in butter and other fats that are solids at room temperature. This type of fat is associated with higher blood cholesterol levels
39
Unsaturated fat
Type of lipid containing many carbon-to-carbon double bonds; liquid at room temperature
40
Trans fat
Contains unsaturated fatty acids that have been hydrogenated, which changes the fat from a liquid to a solid at room temperature
41
Micronutrients
Nutrient needed in small quantities
42
Vitamins
Organic nutrient needed in small amounts. Most vitamins function as coenzymes
43
Minerals
Inorganic nutrient essential to many cell functions
44
Plasma membrane
Structure that encloses a cell, defining the cell’s outer boundary
45
Nucleus
Cell structure that houses DNA; found in eukaryotes
46
Cytoplasm
The entire contents of the cell (except the nucleus) surrounded by the plasma membrane
47
Membrane transport
The collection of mechanisms that regulate the passage of solutes such as ions and small molecules through biological membranes, which are lipid bilayers that contain proteins embedded in them
48
Enzymes
Protein that catalyzes and regulates the rate of metabolic reactions
49
Activation energy
The amount of energy that reactants in a chemical reaction must absorb before the reaction can start
50
Substrate
The substance upon which an enzyme reacts
51
Active site
Substrate-binding region of an enzyme
52
Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance occurs when your small intestine doesn't produce enough of an enzyme (lactase) to digest milk sugar (lactose). It is the norm in many parts of the world
53
Calories
Amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by 1°C, measure of food energy
54
Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
Resting energy use of an awake, alert person
55
Cellular respiration
Metabolic reactions occurring in cells that result in the oxidation of macromolecules to produce ATP Function: provides cells with the energy they need to function
56
ATP
A nucleotide composed of adenine, the sugar ribose, and three phosphate groups that can be hydrolyzed to release energy. Form of energy that cells can use
57
Fermentation
A process that makes a small amount of ATP from glucose without using an electron transport chain. Ethyl alcohol and lactic acid are produced by this process
58
Body mass index (BMI)
Calculation using height and weight to determine a number that correlates to an estimate of a person’s amount of body fat with health risks
59
Obesity
BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese
60
Diabetes
Disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by impaired ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin
61
Hypertension
High blood pressure
62
Heart attack
An acute condition, during which blood flow is blocked to a portion of the heart muscle, causing part of the muscle to be damaged or die
63
Stroke
Acute condition caused by a blood clot that blocks blood flow to an organ or other region of the body
64
Climate change
Significant changes in global temperature, precipitation, wind patterns and other measures of climate that occur over several decades or longer
65
Greenhouse effect
The retention of heat in the atmosphere by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases
66
Fossil fuels
Nonrenewable resource consisting of the buried remains of ancient plants that have been transformed by heat and pressure into coal and oil
67
Photosynthesis
Process by which plants, along with algae and some bacteria, transform light energy to chemical energy
68
Passive transport (Membrane transport)
The diffusion of substances across a membrane with their concentration gradient and not requiring an input of ATP
69
Active transport (Membrane transport)
The ATP-requiring movement of substances across a membrane against their concentration gradient
70
Facilitated Diffusion (Membrane transport)
The spontaneous passage of molecules, through membrane proteins, down their concentration gradient
71
What characteristics are common to living organisms?
Order Maintains homeostasis Growth Metabolism Response to environment Reproduction Composed of organic molecules Cellular in nature Genetic material (DNA)
72
What are the 4 types of organic molecules?
Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids
73
What factors affect metabolic rate?
Gender, age, body surface, activity level, and genetics
74
Anaerobic respiration
Fermentation; cells can break down sugars to generate energy in the absence of oxygen

General Biology (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions