Final Exam Review: Cumulative Portion Flashcards
List the six steps of the scientific method.
- Observation
- Question
- Hypothesis
- Prediction
- Experiment
- Conclusion
What is a prediction?
What you think the result of the experiment will be, based on the hypothesis
What is the purpose of the hypothesis?
It is an educated guess about the cause of a phenomenon that must make a testable prediction.
True or false:
A hypothesis can be definitively proven correct.
False
It can be rejected or supported, but never definitively proven
What is the purpose of the experiment?
It systematically tests the hypothesis
What four things will a well-defined experiment include?
- Independent variable
- Dependent variable
- Control group
- Experimental group(s)
All living things are descended from a…
Common ancestor
True or false:
Despite being descended from a commmon ancestor, living things show wide variations in complexity, genotype, and phenotype.
True
List the eight taxonomic ranks.
- Domain
- Kingdom
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species
A family is ____ specific than a genus.
Less
List the three main tenets of cell theory.
- All organisms are composed of cells
- Cells are the smallest living things and the smallest unit of life.
- Cells arise only from pre-existing cells
List the hierarchy for a unicellular organism.
Atom, molecule, macromolecule, organelle, cell, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere
List the hierarchy for a multicellular organism.
Atom, molecule, macromolecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere
The number of valence electrons determines an atom’s….
Reactivity
The ____ states that most atoms will react in such a way that they obtain a full valence shell.
Octet rule
Atoms with eight valence electrons (plus helium) are…
Inert
Atoms with few valence electrons tend to…
Lose electrons
Atoms with more valence electrons tend to…
Gain electrons
When an atom or molecule loses electrons, it becomes….
A positively-charged cation
When an atom or molecule gains electrons, it becomes…
A negatively-charged anion
____ are formed when atoms or molecules share electrons.
Covalent bonds
____ are formed between a metal and a nonmetal.
Ionic bonds
____ are formed when atoms or molecules share a hydrogen atom.
Hydrogen bonds
Which type of bonds are the strongest in biological systems?
Covalent
____ describes an atom or molecule’s affinity for electrons.
Electronegativity
high electronegativity = wants to gain electrons ; low electronegativity = wants to lose electrons
List six properties of water that are fundamental for life on Earth.
- Cohesion
- Adhesion
- High specific heat
- High heat of vaporization
- Less dense solid form
- Universal solvent
Water exhibits cohesion because…
Its polarity allows it to form hydrogen bonds with other polar molecules
Why is cohesion important for life?
It creates surface tension, allowing water to exist as a liquid at room temperature
Water exhibits adhesion because…
Its polarity causes it to be attracted to other polar molecules, and adhere to anything it can form hydrogen bonds with
Why is adhesion important for life?
It drives capillary action
Water has a high specific heat because…
The hydrogen bonds formed between water molecules restrict molecular movement
Why is water’s high specific heat important for life?
Water exists in liquid form at a wide range of temperatures since it gains and loses heat slowly
Water has a high heat of vaporization because…
Significant amounts of energy are required to break the hydrogen bonds between water molecules
Why is water’s high heat of vaporization important for life?
Water remains in liquid form even at high temperatures, allowing organisms to cool themselves through sweating
Why is ice less dense than liquid water?
Water molecules are spaced further apart in ice than they are in liquid water.
Why is the fact that ice is less dense than water important for life?
Ice floats on water, enabling aquatic life to survive even when the lake/pond/river freezes over
Why is water considered a universal solvent?
It clusters around charged or polar molecules.
The pH scale measures…
The concentration of dissolved H+ ions
The concentration of H+ ions in a solution with a pH of 5 is ____ than in a solution with a pH of 8.
1,000 times higher
each number down on the pH scale represents a tenfold increase in H+
List the four main types of biological macromolecules.
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Lipids
- Nucleic acids
What are the main functions of carbohydrates?
Energy storage and structural support
Carbohydrates are assembled from…
Monosaccharides
What are the main functions of proteins?
Structural support and enzymes
Proteins are assembled from…
Amino acids
What is the main function of nucleic acids?
Encode genetic information
Nucleic acids are assembled from…
Nucleotides
What are the main functions of lipids?
Energy storage, membrane structure, and cell identity/communication
Lipids are assembled from…
Fatty acids
List the seven functional groups found in biological macromolecules.
- Hydroxyl
- Carbonyl
- Carboxyl
- Amino
- Sulfhydryl
- Methyl
- Phosphate
Carbohydrates contain which functional groups?
- Hydroxyl
- Carbonyl
Proteins contain which functional groups?
- Hydroxyl
- Carboxyl
- Amino
- Sulfhydryl
- Methyl
Nucleic acids contain which functional groups?
- Hydroxyl
- Carbonyl
- Amino
- Phosphate
Lipids contain which functional groups?
- Hydroxyl
- Carboxyl
List the three major parts of a nucleotide.
- Nitrogenous base
- Phosphate group
- Pentose sugar
In both DNA and RNA, the 5’ carbon is attached to the…
Phosphate group
In both DNA and RNA, the 1’ carbon is attached to the…
Nitrogenous base
In RNA, the 2’ carbon is attached to…
Ribose
(OH)
In DNA, the 2’ carbon is attached to…
Deoxyribose
(H)
In both DNA and RNA, the 3’ carbon is attached to…
A hydroxyl (OH) group
What four nitrogenous bases are found in RNA?
- Adenine
- Cytosine
- Guanine
- Uracil
What four nitrogenous bases are found in DNA?
- Adenine
- Cytosine
- Guanine
- Thymine
Which bases are purines, and which are pyrimidines?
Purines - AG
Pyrimidines - CTU
A protein’s identifying amino acid sidechain is called the…
R-group
How many different amino acids are there?
20
ten nonpolar, five polar w/no charge, two polar w/negative charge, three polar w/positive charge
A protein’s ____ is its amino acid sequence.
Primary structure
A protein’s ____ is dependent on hydrogen bonds between adjacent amino acids.
Secondary structure
What two shapes can the secondary structure of a protein make?
Alpha sheet and beta helix
A protein’s ____ is three-dimensional and depends on interactions between distant amino acids.
Tertiary structure
A protein’s ____ is formed by the association of two or more polypeptides.
Quarternary structure
In order to function, a protein must be…
Properly folded
____ occurs when a protein unfolds and inactivates.
Denaturation
True or false:
It is possible for a denatured protein to re-fold if the proper environmental conditions are restored.
True
List six characteristics of prokaryotes.
- Smaller than eukaryotes
- Always unicellular
- No internal compartments
- Have a cell wall and/or plasma membrane
- May have a capsule coating
- May have pili and/or flagella
List five characteristics of eukaryotes.
- Larger than prokaryotes
- May be unicellular or multicellular
- Have organelles
- Have a plasma membrane
- Have both cytoplasm and cytosol
What structure is believed to be unique to animal cells?
Lysosomes
Which structures are unique to plant cells?
- Chloroplasts
- Vacuoles
- Cell walls
The largest organelle in eukaryotic cells is the…
Nucleus
RNA is made in the…
Nucleolus
List two major functions of the nucleus.
- Protects DNA from damage
- Separates RNA making from protein making
What is the primary function of mitochondria?
Makes ATP from sugars
List four characteristics of mitochondria that help differentiate them from other organelles.
- Reproduce by binary fission
- Have two membranes
- Have their own circular DNA
- Have their own ribosomes
What is the primary function of chloroplasts?
Use light to make ATP and sugars
List four characteristics of chloroplasts that help distinguish them from other organelles.
- Reproduce by binary fission
- Have three membranes
- Have their own circular DNA
- Have their own ribosomes
List three major components of cell membranes.
- Phospholipids
- Proteins
- Carbohydrates
What is the function of phospholipids in cell membranes?
They form the membrane’s primary structure
Describe the basic structure of phospholipids.
They are amphipathic, with a polar hydrophilic head and two nonpolar hydrophobic tails
List the two major classes of proteins found in cell membranes.
- Transmembrane
- Peripheral
What are the functions of carbohydrates in the cell membrane?
- Form an outer sugar coat
- Help protect the cell
- Help with cell identification
What are the six types of membrane protein functions?
- Receptors
- Cell identity
- Enzymes
- Cell adhesion
- Cytoskeletal
- Transport
What is the function of receptor proteins?
Detect signal molecules and initiate a response
What is the function of cell identity proteins?
Allow the cell to be recognized by other cells
What is the function of enzymes in the cell membrane?
Promote and catalyze chemical reactions
What is the function of cell adhesion proteins?
Allow the cell to attach to other cells
What is the function of cytoskeletal proteins?
Help the cytoskeleton to control cell shape
What is the function of transport proteins?
Move molecules across the membrane
____ occurs when molecules are moved down their concentration gradient.
Passive transport
____ transport does not require energy.
Passive
Facilitated diffusion is a form of….
Passive transport
____ occurs when molecules are moved up their concentration gradient.
Active transport
____ transport uses energy to create and maintain a concentration gradient.
Active
____ can create a pore in the cell membrane to allow molecules through.
Channel proteins
True or false:
Channel proteins are always open.
False
Some are always open, but some open and close in response to a signal
____ proteins may or may not be specific to a certain molecule.
Channel
True or false:
Channel proteins only engage in passive transport.
True
True or false:
Carrier proteins only engage in active transport.
False
They can perform both passive and active transport.
During passive transport, carrier proteins carry out…
Facilitated diffusion
____ let molecules in the cell by binding to it, then reversing shape.
Carrier proteins
____ proteins are always specific to a certain molecule.
Carrier
During active transport, carrier proteins…
Pump molecules against their concentration gradient
Most carrier proteins that engage in active transport are…
ATPases
____ occurs when water moves down its concentration gradient to an area of higher solute concentration.
Osmosis
____ is the process by which eukaryotic cells ingest large materials.
Endocytosis
List the three main types of endocytosis.
- Pinocytosis
- Receptor-mediated endocytosis
- Phagocytosis
____ is “cell drinking” and occurs when parts of the cell membrane bud inward to engulf all nearby molecules.
Pinocytosis
____ occurs when a cell recognizes and consumes specific macromolecules.
Receptor-mediated endocytosis
____ is “cell eating” and occurs when a cell engulfs another cell.
Phagocytosis
____ is the outward movement of proteins and lipids.
Exocytosis
____ occurs when an atom or molecule loses an electron.
Oxidation
____ occurs when an atom or molecule gains an electron.
Reduction
The ____ form of an atom or molecule has more energy.
Reduced
because it has more electrons than the oxidized form
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only change forms.
What is the second law of thermodynamics?
The entropy of the universe is constantly increasing. Energy naturally changes forms from more ordered, less stable to less ordered, more stable.
____ regulate many reactions in cells.
Enzymes