unit 1 Flashcards
introduction to biology
what is science?
a certain way of knowing about the world
how do you make a hypothesis in the correct format?
use if/ then
ex. if a teacher drinks coffee in the morning, then the students will perform better on their assignments
what is the independent variable’s relationship with the dependent variable?
the independent variable is the thing you change in the experiment, and the dependent variable is the changing result based on what changes with the independent variable.
what is the difference between an observation and an inference?
an observation is something you notice and is true, an inference is a guess based on an observation.
what is the difference between accuracy and precision? why do you need to have both?
accuracy is hitting the correct mark, presicion is getting the same value repeatedly. you need to have data for both because you want to have the correct value repeatedly.
what are the general steps for designing and conducting an experiment?
- research
- hypothesis
- procedure
- analysis
- conclusion
can you make an example of scientific investigative design, with appropriate constants and variables?
Jenny wants to know is certain brands of rings will turn her finger green faster than others. She buys 3 different rings and wears them all at the same time. She records how long it takes for her finger to turn green. She makes sure to wear them all on the same hand so there’s no difference in wear.
what are the general steps in the technological design process? what criteria should be considered when you design a solution?
1) identify the problem
2) design a solution
3) implement, build and test and make improvements
4) evaluation: decide of the problem was solved and you met every constraint.
what is a fact?
an observation that is objective and verifiable
what is a principle?
a statement based on repeated experimental observations; describes an aspect of the world
what are Laws?
broad concepts or principles
ex. 2nd law of thermodynamics
what is a theory?
an explanation of an observed phonomenon, NOT a fact
explains why
what does qualitative mean?
decribes observations QUALITIES
what does quantitative mean?
describes observations usuing numbers to measure
what are independent variables?
what the experimenter will change or manipulate in the experiment, the only thing different between experimental groups.
what are dependent variables?
what changes in RESPONSE to the independent variable, what it measures
what are constants?
the aspects of the experiment that are consistent and don’t change
what is an experimental group?
Group(s) being tested
what is a control group?
groups used to compare to your experimental group, “normal” group
what is technology?
anything that advances society and meets human needs and goals through products and processes
what is engineering?
appliance of scientific and mathematic principles to solve problems
what are the six elements necessary for life?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur
What are the levels of organization that make up an organism?
atom> molecule> organelles> cell> tissue> organ> organ system> organism
what is the difference between polar and nonpolar molecules?
polar molecules have an unequal distribution of charges, with one side more positive or one side more negative; dissolves easily in water
Nonpolar molecules have an equal distribution of charges and does not dissolve in water
what are some unique properties of water?
becomes less dense when frozen, unlike other liquids
liquid water is attracted to itself because of its polarity and cohesion
really high boiling point compared to similar liquids
“universal solvent”
what is matter?
anything that has mass and occupies space; composed by atoms
what are atoms?
smallest part of an element that still has the same properties of the element
what is a cell?
the most basic unit of life
what is surface tension?
the tension of the surface of a liquid caused by attraction of molecules in the liquid
what is a solution?
a uniform mixture of 2 or more substances (think country time lemonade)
what is a solute?
what gets dissolved in a solution
what is a solvent?
the thing that does the dissolving in a solution
what does hydrophilic mean?
has affinity for water and usually dissolves in water
what does hydrophobic mean?
doesn’t have an affinity for water and does not dissolve easily in water
ex. oil
what are the monomers and polymers fo carbohydrates?
monomer: monosaccharides (single sugar molecules, like glucose)
polymer: polysaccharide (larger sugar molecules, like starch)
what are the monomers and polymers of proteins?
Monomer: amino acids
polymer: polypeptide
what are the monomers and polymers of nucliec acids?
monomer: nucleoties (adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine)
polymer: DNA or RNA
what are the major functions of the carbohydrate macromolecules?
short term energy storage, with minor uses like structure transport and signaling
what are the major functions of the lipid macromolecule?
energy storage, minor uses like insulation, protection, and structure
what are the major functions of the protein macromolecule?
no main function cuz protein does SO MUCH! they basically run your body. (enzymes hormones, make up bones structurally, transport substances, movement and sourced in food)
what are the major functions of the nucleic acid macromolecule?
they are informational molecules that store, transmit, and express out genetic info; they contain the instructions for making proteins
what are examples of each macromolecule?
carbohydrates: glucose
lipids: oil
protein: tryptophan
nucleic acids: DNA or RNA
what is the relative comparison between energy storage of macromolecules?
carbohydrates: 4 calories/gram (short term energy!)
lipids: 9 calories/gram (long term energy storage)
protein: 4 cal/gram
nucleic acids: stores no energy! never broken down as an energy source.
what is the order that the body consumes macromolecules for energy? why?
first carbohydrates because they are an easy and short term energy source, Lipids are next burned off as they are the long-term energy source. Proteins are the last resort for energy because they already do so much for your body.
why are proteins the most diverse macromolecule?
Proteins are made by your body and found in the food we eat. Their structire and functions are so diverse, and include
- enzymes that regulate cell processes
- antibodies that help your immune system
- they run movement
- they’re receptors in cell signaling
and an energy source in the food we eat!
what macromolecule is not obtained from food? how do you get it?
nucleic acids
you get them from your parents because they’re found in DNA and RNA
what are macromolecules?
large organic molecules that make up all living things
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
structurally most are polymers made of monomers
what is a monomer?
small basic sub-unit
what is a polymer?
the larger, more complex structice made of monomers
what is a monosaccharide?
a single sugar monomer molecule
what is a polysacceride?
a larger sugar polymer molecule
why is the macromolecule that makes up the majority of the cell membrane so unique? what is that macromolecule?
They are phospholipids, they have a hydrophilic head (= phosphate group) and a hydrophobic tail (=fatty acids)
It makes the membrane selectively permeable
