Lecture 1: Foundations Of Biology Flashcards
Scientific method
Making observations, developing explanations and testing those explanations
What must a hypothesis be
Falsifiable and testable (falsifiable meaning the ability to be proven false)
Failure to falsify a hypothesis means the hypothesis is true
Wrong - there still must be data to prove its validity
Variables in an experiment
Independent- changed by scientist
Dependent- response to changes in independent variables
Controlled- remains constant
Experimental vs Observational science
Observational- infer a pattern and cause for collected data, and use statistical techniques
Experiment: data collected through controlled experiments
Organization of matter (matter, element, and compound)
matter- has mass and occupies space (Consisting of pure elements)
Element- cant be broken down to other substances by chemical reactions
Compound- two or more elements in a fixed ratio
Which elements make up 96% of the matter in living organisms
- Carbon
- Oxygen
- Hydrogen
- Nitrogen
The ratios make living organisms different
Isotopes
- same number of p+, different number of neutrons therefore different atomic mass but same atomic number
Radioisotopes
Unstable isotopes that decay and release energy, rate of their decay is constant
Radioactive tracers
- substance containing a radioisotope that’s used to measure the speed of chemical processes or the movement of a substance
ex. used in imaging tests
Inert
- elements with full valence shells
- unreactive
- ex. Neon
Don’t form chemical bonds
Unequal sharing of electrons forms
a polar covalent bond, if hydrogen is one of the atoms= hydrogen bonding
Hydrogen bonding
- partial positive H attracted to partial negative charge of nearby atoms
- weaker than covalent and ionic bonds
Van der Waals forces
- weaker than hydrogen bonds
- develop between non polar molecules
- constant motion of electrons causes them to accumulate creating zones of positive and negative charges (temporary)
- polar molecules
ORDERING THE STRENGTH OF BOND TYPES
Ionic (strongest)
Covalent
Hydrogen
LDF
Inter vs intra
Inter- between
Intra- within
Hydrogen bonds and water
More dense- liquid form: dynamic (movement) can be used in living cells
Less dense- solid form: ice
- stable, rigid lattice structure prevent it from being used in cells
- ice rigid lattice structures expand and form crystals that can puncture and disrupt cell membranes
Characteristics of water
- high specific heat capacity allows water to stay liquid between 0-100 degrees Celsius
- attraction between water molecules cause cohesion
Why is cohesion important for plants
- keeps water molecules connected, allowing them to move agains the force of gravity easily
- whenever water evaporates, stomata pull water to stems from roots
Hydration shell
- water molecules surround polar molecules and ions
- allows for the separation of molecules until it reaches a saturation point
Buffers
- controls pH, allowing it to stay neutral
- absorbs or releases protons
IN OUR BLOOD:
- kidneys regulate pH by excreting acids in urine
- produce and regulate Bicarbonate to increase pH
Living matter are composed of carbon compounds
Making them organic
Synthesis of a polymer
synthesis of a polymer:
- dehydration synthesis reaction
- remove water
- form a bond
Breakdown of a polymer
hydrolysis reaction:
- add water
- break a bond
- split water molecules
carbohydrates
- sugars and the polymers of sugars
- fuel for cells
- building material (build various cellular components)