BIOL1020

Biology I summer course content.

What is evolution?

The process of changing over time in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. It is driven by mechanisms such as natural selection, mutation, gene flow, and genetic drift. Evolution results in the adaptation and diversification of species.

What is biology?

The scientific study of life. It encompasses various fields, including ecology, genetics, and physiology, and examines the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living organisms.

Evolutionary Adaptation

The process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment through changes in traits over generations, often enhancing survival and reproduction.

Energy Processing

The ability of organisms to take in energy and use it to power their activities, including growth, reproduction, and maintenance of homeostasis. The use of chemical energy by organisms to perform work and sustain life.

Growth and development

Inherited information carried by genes controls the pattern of growth and development of an organism from a single cell to a complex multicellular structure, encompassing processes such as cell division, differentiation, and maturation.

Response to environment

The ability of organisms to detect and react to stimuli from their surroundings, which can include behavioral and physiological changes to maintain homeostasis.

Reproduction

The biological process by which organisms produce new individuals of the same species, ensuring the continuation of genetic material and species survival.

Regulation

The mechanisms by which biological systems control and coordinate their internal processes to maintain stability and respond to internal and external changes.

What are the five underlying themes of biology?

Organization, information, energy and matter, interactions, and evolution.

Reductionism in biology

is an approach that breaks down complex biological systems into simpler parts to understand their function and interactions.

systems biology

the exploration of a biological system by analyzing the interactions among its components and understanding the system as a whole.

Cell theory

Developed in the 1800s, this theory states that all living organisms are made up of cells, which are the basic unit of life. Cell theory also posits that all cells arise from pre-existing cells and that the cell is the fundamental structure underlying all biological processes.

Does every cell have a membrane?

Yes, every cell is enclosed by a plasma membrane that regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell and its surroundings. This membrane is crucial for maintaining homeostasis and allows communication between cells.

To understand the chemical basis of inheritance, we must understand the molecular structure of DNA. This is an example of the application of which concept to the study of biology?

Reductionism

Which of these provides evidence of the common ancestry of all life?

Near universality of the genetic code

Why is it important that an experiment include a control group?

Without a control group, there is no basis for knowing if a particular result is due to the variable being tested.

Why is a scientific topic best discussed by people of varying points of view, a variety of subdisciplines, and diverse cultures?

Robust and critical discussion between diverse groups improves scientific understanding and fosters innovation.

What are the stages of Mitosis

The stages of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, which ensure proper cell division and distribution of chromosomes.

What are the stages of meiosis?

The stages of meiosis include prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, telophase I, followed by a second meiotic division with prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II, and telophase II, resulting in four genetically diverse gametes.

What is Mendelian genetics?

A branch of genetics that studies how traits are inherited through generations based on Gregor Mendel's laws of inheritance, including concepts like dominant and recessive alleles.

What are chromosomes and heredity?

Chromosomes are structures within cells that contain genetic material, and heredity refers to the passing of traits and genes from parents to offspring.

How do chromosomes and heredity relate to each other in biology?

Chromosomes carry genetic information that is passed down from parents to offspring, playing a crucial role in heredity. The structure and number of chromosomes determine the inheritance of traits.

Which of the following best summarizes the relationship between dehydration reactions and hydrolysis?

Dehydration reactions form polymers, and hydrolysis reactions break down polymers. Both processes are essential for synthesizing and degrading biomolecules.

Which of the following is true of both starch and cellulose?

They are both polymers of glucose.

Which of the following statements is true for the class of biological molecules known as lipids?

They contain more energy than proteins and carbohydrates. Lipids are hydrophobic molecules that include fats, oils, and waxes, playing key roles in energy storage, cell membrane structure, and signaling.

At which level of protein structure are interactions between the side chains (R groups) most important?

Tertiary structure.

Which of the following statements best summarizes the differences between DNA and RNA?

DNA nucleotides contain a different sugar than RNA nucleotides. Additionally, DNA is double-stranded, while RNA is typically single-stranded. DNA stores genetic information, whereas RNA plays a crucial role in protein synthesis.

All living things can be sorted into what four main classes?

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

What are the three classes of macromolecules?

Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids?

What are macromolecules made up of?

Macromolecules are made up of smaller units called monomers, which combine to form polymers.

What is a monomer?

A monomer is a small, basic unit that can join together with other monomers to form a larger structure known as a polymer. They are the building blocks of polymers. Also, the building block of macromolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.

What is a polymer?

A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units called monomers, which are connected by covalent chemical bonds.

What is a macromolecule?

A macromolecule is a large, complex molecule composed of thousands of atoms, typically formed from smaller molecules called monomers. Common types include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

Each class of polymer is made up of a different type of

monomerthat defines its structure and function.

Different types of monomers

Make up the chemical mechanisms by which cells make and break down polymers, allowing for dynamic biological processes.

What speeds up chemical reactions in cells?

Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required. They are crucial for metabolic processes and help ensure that reactions occur at the necessary rates for life.

Dehydration reaction

a reaction in which two molecules are covalently bonded to each other with the loss of a water molecule.

What happens between two monomers when a bond between them forms?

Each monomer contributes part of the water molecule that is released during the reaction. One monomer provides a hydroxyl group (—OH), and the other provides a hydrogen (—H). This reaction continues to occur each time a new monomer is bonded to the pre-existing chain, eventually forming a polymer (also called polymerization).

How are polymers disassembled?

Hydrolysis, a process that reverses dehydration reaction. The bond between the monomers is broken down with the addition of a water molecule, with a hydrogen from water attaching to one monomer and the hydroxyl group attaching to the other.

What is an example of hydrolysis within the body?

Digestion: The bulk of the organic material in our food is in the form of polymers that are much too large to enter our cells. Within the digestive tract, various enzymes attack the polymers, speeding up hydrolysis. Released monomers are then absorbed into the bloodstream for distribution to all body cells. Those cells can then use dehydration reactions to assemble the monomers into new, different polymers that can perform specific functions required by the cell.