Midterm

What are the 3 characteristics of life?

To maintain homeostasis, must be made of cells and must have a metabolism

What is metabolism?

All the chemical reactions that occur in an organism.

What is the only life process that is not required for an individual to survive?

Reproduction.

What are the main differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not.

What are the functions of ribosomes?

They synthesize (make) proteins.

What is the function of the cell membrane?

Controls what enters and exits the cell.

What is the function of mitochondria?

Produce ATP

What is the function of chloroplasts?

Site of photosynthesis.

What is the main difference between plant cells and animal cells?

Plant cells have a cell wall and chloroplasts; animal cells do not.

What is dehydration synthesis?

A process where small molecules combine to form larger molecules.

What is hydrolysis?

The process of breaking down large molecules into smaller molecules.

What are monomers?

Small organic molecules that make up polymers.

What is a controlled experiment?

An experiment where all conditions are kept constant except for the independent variable.

What is the independent variable in an experiment?

The variable that is being tested.

What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

The variable that is being measured.

What happens in the S phase of the cell cycle?

DNA replicates.

What is the role of enzymes in biological reactions?

They act as biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions.

What is the function of antibodies in the immune response?

To bind to antigens on pathogens to help destroy them.

What is a vaccine?

A substance that contains a dead or weakened version of a virus, which stimulates antibody production.

What type of cells carry out cellular respiration?

All organisms carry out cellular respiration.

What is the main function of the circulatory system?

To transport oxygen and nutrients to cells and waste away from cells.

What is the main function of the digestive system?

To break down food into molecules small enough to be absorbed by cells.

What happens to glucose during cellular respiration?

It is converted to ATP for energy.

What are the three major organic molecules?

Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids.

What is the role of the nervous system?

To send messages along nerve cells.

What is the role of the endocrine system?

To send messages (hormones) through the bloodstream.

What can cause enzymes to denature?

Temperature or pH that is outside their optimum range.

What is the equation for aerobic cellular respiration?

C6H12O6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O + ATP.

Where does cellular respiration occur in the cell?

In the mitochondria.

What is active immunity?

Immunity that develops after exposure to an antigen.

What is passive immunity?

Temporary immunity acquired from another source.

What is the role of memory cells in the immune response?

To provide long-term immunity by remembering past infections.

What is the relationship between the nucleus and DNA?

DNA is stored in the nucleus as genetic information.

What is the main function of the excretory system?

To remove waste products from the body.

What role do white blood cells play in the immune system?

They engulf harmful pathogens and produce antibodies.

What is the significance of the lock-and-key model in enzyme action?

It explains how enzymes specifically bind to their substrates.

What are the functions of the excretory system?

To remove waste and regulate water balance in the body.

What is homeostasis?

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism.

What is the function of vacuoles in cells?

They store materials such as water and food.

How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

Increasing temperature to a certain point increases activity, past which it denatures.

What is the major way human cells obtain ATP?

Through cellular respiration.

What signifies that a molecule is organic?

It contains both carbon and hydrogen.

What is an antigen?

A protein found on the surface of a pathogen that stimulates an immune response.

What occurs during hydrolysis?

Large molecules are broken down into smaller units.

What are the two types of cellular respiration?

Aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

What is the main difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Aerobic respiration uses oxygen and produces more ATP.

What are biomolecules also known as?

Macromolecules.

What is a primary source of energy for living organisms?

Glucose.

What is the primary role of carbohydrates?

To provide quick energy.

What is the function of hormones in the endocrine system?

To regulate bodily functions.

What is the role of transport proteins in the cell membrane?

They help substances move through the cell membrane.

What distinguishes plant cells from animal cells?

Plant cells have cell walls and chloroplasts.

What is the role of ribosomes in a cell?

They are the site of protein synthesis.

What is the role of the plasma membrane?

It acts as a barrier and controls transport into and out of the cell.

What does selective permeability mean?

The ability of the cell membrane to allow certain substances to pass while blocking others.

Identify one example of feedback mechanism in the human body.

Regulation of blood glucose levels.

What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

To facilitate gas exchange.

What structural characteristic do all living cells share?

They all possess a cell membrane.

How do multicellular organisms carry out life processes?

By using tissues and organs.

Why is the nervous system important for maintaining homeostasis?

It enables quick responses to environmental changes.

What happens to an enzyme when it is denatured?

It loses its shape and ability to function.

What is a glycerol?

A type of monomer that combines with fatty acids to form lipids.

What is the main purpose of a scientific experiment?

To test a hypothesis.

What is required for scientific experiments to be valid?

Replicability and control of variables.

What is an example of a controlled experiment?

An experiment comparing the growth of plants at different light levels.

Describe the structure of DNA.

A double helix comprised of nucleotides.

What is an example of an inorganic compound?

Water (H2O).

What is the structure of RNA?

Single-stranded molecule of nucleotides.

What are the roles of glycerol and fatty acids?

They are building blocks of lipids.

What is an enzyme's active site?

The region where substrates bind to the enzyme.

What is the role of the immune system?

To protect the body from pathogens.