Exam 1 practice questions Flashcards
The fluid located within the cells of the body, making up about 70% of the total body water.
Intracellular Fluid
The fluid outside of cells, including interstitial fluid, blood plasma, and transcellular fluid, comprising about 30% of the total body water.
Extracellular Fluid
A type of cell signaling where the target cell is close to the signal-releasing cell, and the signal molecule acts locally.
Paracrine Signal
A type of cell signaling where a cell secretes a signal molecule that binds to receptors on its own surface, leading to a response.
Autocrine Signal
A type of signaling involving the release of hormones into the bloodstream, which then travel to distant target cells to elicit a response.
Endocrine Signal
The process by which living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain a stable, constant condition, essential for survival.
Homeostasis
A systematic method of inquiry that involves making observations, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions.
Scientific Process
The act of noting and recording something with instruments or the senses as part of the scientific method
Observation
A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, based on previous knowledge, that can be tested through experimentation.
Hypothesis
A procedure carried out under controlled conditions to test a hypothesis and collect data.
Experiment
The data and observations gathered from an experiment, often analyzed to determine whether they support or refute the hypothesis.
Results
Interpretations of the experiment’s results that determine whether the hypothesis is supported or not, leading to further questions or theories.
Conclusions
A scientific approach that focuses on observing and describing phenomena without necessarily testing a specific hypothesis.
Discovery/Observational Science
Experiments in which all variables are kept constant except for the one being tested, allowing for a clear assessment of its effect.
Controlled Experiments
The number of subjects or data points included in an experiment, which can affect the reliability and validity of the results.
Sample Size
Any factor or condition that can change and potentially affect the outcome of an experiment.
Variable
The variable that is deliberately changed or manipulated in an experiment to test its effect on the dependent variable.
Independent Variable
The variable that is measured in an experiment to see how it is affected by changes in the independent variable.
Dependent Variable
Variables that are kept constant across all groups in an experiment to ensure that the results are due to the independent variable.
Standardized Variable
The group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment, serving as a baseline for comparison.
Control Group
The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or condition being tested.
Experimental Group
The process of repeating an experiment to confirm the results and ensure their reliability.
Replication
The ability of an experiment to yield the same results when performed under the same conditions by the same researcher
Repeatability
Covers body surfaces, lines cavities and organs, forms glands; involved in absorption, secretion, and protection.
Epithelial Tissue
Single layer of flat cells (e.g., lining of blood vessels, alveoli in lungs)
Simple Squamous Epithelium
Single layer of cube-shaped cells (e.g., kidney tubules, glands).
Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
Single layer of tall, column-like cells (e.g., lining of the stomach and intestines).
Simple Columnar Epithelium
Multiple layers of flat cells (e.g., skin, lining of the mouth and esophagus).
Stratified Squamous Epithelium
Specialized for stretching (e.g., lining of the bladder).
Transitional Epithelium
Supports, binds, and protects tissues and organs; varies from liquid (blood) to solid (bone).
Connective Tissue
Includes areolar tissue (binds organs) and adipose tissue (stores fat).
Loose Connective Tissue
Includes dense regular (e.g., tendons, ligaments) and dense irregular tissue (e.g., dermis of the skin).
Dense Connective Tissue
Includes hyaline cartilage (e.g., ends of long bones), elastic cartilage (e.g., external ear), and fibrocartilage (e.g., intervertebral discs).
Cartilage
Osseous tissue providing structure and support.
Bone
Fluid tissue involved in the transport of nutrients, gases, and waste.
Blood
Specialized for contraction and movement; responsible for body movement, posture, and heat production.
Muscle Tissue
Voluntary, striated muscle attached to bones (e.g., biceps, quadriceps).
Skeletal Muscle
Involuntary, striated muscle found in the heart.
Cardiac Muscle
Involuntary, non-striated muscle found in walls of hollow organs (e.g., intestines, blood vessels).
Smooth Muscle
Specialized for communication and control by transmitting electrical impulses; makes up brain, spinal cord, and nerves
Neurons
Supporting cells that protect and assist neurons.
Neuroglia (Glial Cells)
Protects the body, regulates temperature, and prevents water loss; includes skin, hair, nails, and glands.
Integumentary System
Provides support, protects organs, allows movement, stores minerals, and produces blood cells; includes bones, cartilage, ligaments, and joints.
Skeletal System
Allows movement, maintains posture, and produces heat; includes skeletal muscles, tendons, and associated tissues.
Muscular System
Controls body activities with electrical signals, responds to internal and external stimuli; includes brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory receptors.
Nervous System
Regulates body activities through hormones; includes glands such as the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas.
Endocrine System
Transports nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste; includes heart, blood vessels, and blood
Cardiovascular System
Defends against infection and disease, returns tissue fluid to the bloodstream; includes lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, spleen, and thymus.
Lymphatic/Immune System
Exchanges gases between air and blood, provides oxygen to the body, and removes carbon dioxide; includes lungs, trachea, bronchi, and nasal passages.
Respiratory System
Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste; includes mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas.
Digestive System
Removes waste products from the blood, regulates blood pH, ion balance, and water balance; includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Urinary System
Produces gametes (sperm and eggs), facilitates fertilization, and supports fetal development; includes testes, ovaries, and associated organs.
Reproductive System
What requires energy?
All living organisms require energy to perform essential functions such as growth, reproduction, movement, and maintaining homeostasis.
Where does the energy come from?
Energy comes from various sources, primarily from the sun. Plants capture solar energy through photosynthesis, converting it into chemical energy stored in glucose. Animals obtain energy by consuming plants or other organisms.
How is energy stored?
Energy is stored in the form of chemical bonds within molecules like glucose, starch, glycogen, and lipids. In cells, energy is also stored in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
How is energy ultimately used?
Energy is ultimately used to power cellular processes, such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and biosynthesis. It is released from molecules like glucose during cellular respiration and is often transferred into ATP, which cells can readily use.
Unsaturated fatty acids have no double bonds in the carbon chain and are solids at room temperature, while saturated fatty acids have double bonds and are liquid at room temperature.
True or false
False
Which of the following are INCORRECT matches between term and definition?
Mark all that apply
monomer - subunit that can have different versions, as in nucleotides, that make up polymers
functional group - a specific combination of atoms that react in the same way regardless of the carbon skeleton they are bonded to
polymer - molecule constructed of different types of subunits called compounds, such as glycerol and fatty acids that make up fat
hydrocarbon - organic molecules made up of only C and O, which makes them polar
carbon skeleton - the carbon chain in an organic molecule, which accounts for the shape of the molecule
polymer - molecule constructed of different types of subunits called compounds, such as glycerol and fatty acids that make up fat
hydrocarbon - organic molecules made up of only C and O, which makes them polar
ATP is a modified RNA nucleotide and is a high energy molecule that can easily break bonds between phosphates.
True
Or
False
True
RNA is a polymer of nucleotides that aids in transcribing and translating DNA into a protein.
True
OR
False
True
Lipids are insoluble in water, energy rich, not made up of monomers, and include all of the following EXCEPT
steroids and waxes
cellulose and peptidoglycan
fats and oils
phospholipids
glucose
nucleotides and amino acids
cellulose and peptidoglycan
glucose
nucleotides and amino acids
Nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides, include DNA and RNA and have 3 parts; phosphate, sugar, nitrogen-containing base.
True
OR
False
True
Which of the following is NOT true about DNA?
stores information for its own replication
aids in transcribing and translating RNA into a protein
genetic material
codes for the order of amino acids in a protein
aids in transcribing and translating RNA into a protein
What is the final electron acceptor at the end of cellular respiration?
Oxygen
What is the end product of glycolysis?
Pyruvate
Which thermodynamic law is also known as the law of entropy, describing the quality of energy?
2nd law of thermodynamics
What form of energy is associated with motion, such as running?
Kinetic energy
Which step in cellular respiration releases CO₂?
Krebs citric acid cycle
During fermentation in animal cells, pyruvate is reduced to?
Lactate
Which step in cellular respiration produces the most ATP?
Electron transport chain
Where in the cell does the electron transport chain occur?
The inner mitochondrial membrane
What is the study of the normal functioning of a living organism and its component parts, including all its chemical and physical processes?
Physiology
What is the technical term for the internal compartment of a cell?
Intracellular fluid
What is the technical term for the external compartment of a cell?
Extracellular fluid
What is the ability of your body and all its cells to keep their internal environment relatively stable despite external changes?
Homeostasis
When the molecular composition of two body compartments is identical, what state are they in?
Equilibrium
When the concentration of molecules or ions is different between compartments, what state does this represent?
Disequilibrium
What is the study of body functions in a disease state called?
Pathophysiology
What approach focuses on HOW something happens, in a step-by-step process?
Mechanistic
What approach focuses on WHY a feature of the body exists by examining its adaptive significance?
Teleological
Which approach is being used when we say “The kidneys filter wastes and modulate water levels in the body”?
Teleological
Which approach is being used when explaining that muscle contraction starts with nervous system activation, leading to calcium entry and protein shortening?
Mechanistic
What term refers to when experiments are repeated to verify results?
Replication
What is an initial prediction made by a scientist about the relationship between two or more variables?
Hypothesis
In an experiment, what is the variable that is manipulated across groups?
Independent variable
What is the variable that is measured or collected through observation in an experiment?
Dependent variable
What is the reassessment of data from many related studies called?
Meta-analysis
What is it called when participants expect positive outcomes, causing them to report positive changes that may not actually exist?
Placebo effect
What is a widely accepted explanation for a phenomenon called, when confirmed by many scientists over time?
Scientific theory
What is the essential comparison group in a valid experiment called?
Control group
What is a type of concept map that links events or structures in a specific temporal sequence called?
Process map
Molecules that contain carbon and are associated with living organisms, such as carbohydrates and lipids, are specifically called _____.
Biomolecules
These biomolecules are hydrophobic and serve roles in energy storage, cell communication, and as an integral component of cell membranes.
Lipids
These biomolecules serve many functions, including catalyzing reactions and regulating gene expression. They are often called the “workers of the cell.”
Proteins
This category of biomolecule is the most abundant energy source used by the body and forms a cellular “ID tag” for the immune system.
Carbohydrates
The simplest form of a biomolecule is called a _____ or “building block.”
Monomer
When many monomers link together via covalent bonds, they form a more complex molecule called a _____.
Polymer
This type of polymer plays a key role in transferring information from one generation to the next and in creating new proteins.
Nucleic acids
The monomers of carbohydrates are called _____.
Monosaccharides
_____ is a polymer of glucose molecules that stores energy in animals and is digestible by humans.
Glycogen
_____ is a polysaccharide that stores energy in plants and is also digestible by humans.
Starch
These molecules are the monomers of proteins.
Amino acids
The building blocks of all lipids, which can be saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated, are called _____.
Fatty acids
These monomers consist of a nitrogenous base, a 5-carbon sugar, and a phosphate group.
Nucleotides
A biomolecule is called _____ when it includes molecules from two different categories, such as a carbohydrate with fatty acids attached.
Conjugated
When a lipid is attached to a protein, it is called a _____.
Lipoprotein
The primary storage polymer of lipids is called a _____.
Triglyceride
Proteins that bind signal molecules and initiate cellular responses are called _____.
Receptors
This category of peptides is used to transmit information from one cell to another.
Signal molecules
Proteins that modulate cell processes, like transcription factors that bind to DNA, are called _____.
Regulatory proteins
These extracellular immune proteins, also known as antibodies, help protect the body from pathogens.
Immunoglobulins
Proteins that move substances between the intracellular and extracellular compartments are called _____.
Membrane transporters
Proteins that speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy are called _____.
Enzymes
Proteins that bind insoluble molecules to make them water soluble for transport through the body are called _____.
Binding proteins
Molecules that bind to proteins at specialized binding sites for processing are called _____.
Ligands
The amount of attraction between a ligand and its binding site on a protein is called _____.
Affinity
When all binding sites on an enzyme are occupied and the rate of work can no longer increase, the enzyme has reached _____.
Saturation
The process of increasing the amount of a protein within a cell is called _____.
Up-regulation
When a protein loses its conformation due to exposure to a non-optimal temperature or pH, it is said to be _____.
Denatured
The process in which an inactive protein is activated by removing a fragment is called _____.
Proteolytic activation
Molecules that bind to proteins and decrease their activity are called _____.
Antagonists
When a non-ligand molecule binds to the active site of a protein and physically blocks ligands from binding, this is called _____.
Competitive inhibition
The binding of a molecule away from the active site that activates the binding site is called _____.
Allosteric activation
The extracellular fluid that surrounds most body cells is called _____.
Interstitial fluid
The extracellular fluid for blood cells is called _____.
Plasma
The outer surface of the cell, composed mostly of lipids and embedded proteins, is called the _____.
Plasma membrane
The fluid and solid material inside the cell membrane, excluding the nucleus, is called the _____.
Cytoplasm
Particles of insoluble material inside a cell, sometimes called non-membranous organelles, are called _____.
Inclusions
Insoluble protein fibers that form the cell’s internal support system are collectively called the _____.
Cytoskeleton
The organelle in the cell that contains all genetic material and controls cell processes is the _____.
Nucleus
Small, dense granules of RNA and protein that manufacture proteins under the direction of the cell’s DNA and mRNA are called _____.
Ribosomes
A network of interconnected membrane tubes where protein modification or lipid synthesis occurs is called the _____.
Endoplasmic reticulum
Organelles that have their own genetic material and are the primary site of aerobic energy production in the cell are called _____.
Mitochondria
The organelle that receives proteins made in the rough ER and packages them into vesicles for movement around or outside the cell is the _____.
Golgi apparatus
Small storage vesicles that contain enzymes to remove unnecessary cellular components are called _____.
Lysosomes
What is the general term used to describe energy of motion?
Kinetic energy
What is the general term used to describe stored energy?
Potential energy
The energy stored in the chemical bonds of a molecule and available to perform work is called?
Free energy
In most biological reactions, some energy must be invested to start the reaction. What is this energy called?
Activation energy
Reactions that break chemical bonds and release energy are called?
Exergonic reactions
Reactions that require energy input to form new chemical bonds are called?
Endergonic reactions
What is the primary energy source for biological reactions?
ATP
When a molecule gains a high-energy electron (and an H+ ion) during a chemical reaction, that molecule is said to be?
Reduced
When a molecule loses a high-energy electron (and an H+ ion) during a chemical reaction, that molecule is said to be?
Oxidized
When a molecule gains a phosphate group during a chemical reaction, what is the process called?
Phosphorylation
An enzyme that transfers a phosphate group from one molecule to another is called?
Kinase
In reactions where a water molecule is removed to build a larger molecule from smaller ones, what is the reaction called?
Dehydration
An enzyme that removes high-energy electrons and H+ ions from a reactant is called?
Dehydrogenase
In reactions where a large substrate molecule is split into smaller molecules through the addition of water, what is the reaction called?
Hydrolysis
What kind of enzyme adds phosphate groups from an inorganic source to other molecules?
Phosphorylase
What kind of enzyme removes phosphate groups from molecules and releases them into the solution?
Phosphatase
What kind of enzyme transfers an amino group from one molecule to another?
Transaminase
What kind of enzyme joins two substrates using the energy from ATP?
Synthetase
An enzyme that splits proteins into smaller fragments or single amino acids is called?
Peptidase
What is the term for all chemical reactions that take place in an organism?
Metabolism
What is the term for energy-utilizing reactions that result in the synthesis of large biomolecules?
Anabolism
What is the term for reactions that release energy through the breakdown of large biomolecules?
Catabolism
Which aerobic metabolic pathway produces the most ATP molecules per glucose molecule?
Electron transport system
Which set of anaerobic reactions transforms glucose into 2 pyruvate molecules and produces a net of 2 ATP and 2 NADH molecules?
Glycolysis
Which aerobic pathway produces 2 ATP molecules and 8 nucleotide-based molecules that store high-energy electrons?
Citric Acid Cycle
Which molecule stores high-energy electrons and has enough potential energy to produce 2.5 ATP molecules on average?
NADH
Which molecule stores high-energy electrons but only has enough potential energy to produce 1.5 ATP molecules on average?
FADH2
A region of DNA that contains the information needed to make one or more functional proteins is called a _____.
Gene
Regulatory proteins that bind to DNA at the promoter region and either activate or inactivate the expression of a gene are called _____.
Transcription factors
This process occurs when the DNA base sequence is used to make a complementary piece of RNA, specifically called pre-mRNA.
Transcription
The process of transcription occurs in which part of the cell?
Nucleus
This enzyme separates the two strands of the DNA double-helix at a specific gene and synthesizes a complementary strand of RNA.
RNA polymerase
This is the specific kind of RNA that is complementary to a gene coded in DNA and is ultimately read by ribosomes to create the protein.
mRNA
______ are noncoding segments of an immature or pre-mRNA molecule that are removed during alternative splicing to convert pre-mRNA into mature mRNA.
Introns
During alternative splicing, sections of the pre-mRNA molecule that are kept and spliced together to form mature mRNA are called _____.
Exons
The process where mature mRNA directs the assembly of amino acids into a polypeptide or protein is called _____.
Translation
Translation happens at these intracellular inclusions.
Ribosomes
A triplet of mature mRNA bases that codes for a specific amino acid is called a _____.
Codon
_____ is the molecule that delivers a specific amino acid to the ribosome during translation so it can be attached to the growing polypeptide.
tRNA
The molecule mentioned in the previous question has a triplet of nucleotide bases called a(n) __________ that binds to a complementary trio of bases on the mature mRNA molecule.
Anti-codon
Proteins typically undergo ________ within the rough ER, where they fold into complex shapes or have chemical groups added.
Post-translational modification
When mRNA is no longer needed, it is broken down by enzymes called _____.
Ribonucleases
The largest portion of the cell cycle, when the parental cell is growing and duplicating its DNA, is called _____.
Interphase
The smaller portion of the cell cycle, when the duplicated chromosomes are separated and the cytoplasm divides, is called _____.
Mitosis
When human body cells divide out of control, a disease called _____ can arise, where groups of defective cells accumulate into a mass or migrate throughout the body.
Cancer
During this sub-phase of Interphase, a cell duplicates all its DNA molecules so each daughter cell gets a full set of genetic instructions.
: S phase
There are points in the cell cycle called _______ where the cell determines if its DNA is healthy and if it has enough resources to divide successfully.
Checkpoints
When a cell determines it cannot fix an error in its DNA, it undergoes a process called ______, where it self-destructs.
Apoptosis
Cells in a resting phase that are not currently dividing or preparing to divide are said to be in the _____.
G0 phase
When two identical DNA molecules are condensed and held together at a centromere, the “X-shaped” structure is called a _____.
Sister chromatid
A single molecule of DNA that has been condensed into a “log-like” structure before cell division is called a _____.
Chromosome
A DNA molecule that is not fully condensed, but loosely wrapped around histone proteins, is called _____.
Chromatin
During this sub-phase of mitosis, sister chromatids split apart and are pulled toward opposite poles of the cell.
Anaphase
During this sub-phase of mitosis, chromatids arrive at opposite poles of the cell and new nuclei form around them.
Telophase
During this sub-phase of mitosis, sister chromatids are fully condensed and visible, spindle fibers extend, and the nucleus dissolves.
Prophase
During this sub-phase of mitosis, sister chromatids attach to spindle fibers and line up in a single-file line at the center of the cell.
Metaphase
The process of dividing the cell and its cytoplasm during mitosis is called _____.
Cytokinesis
