Midterm Review Microscope Diagram

What are the basic characteristics of life?

All living things are made of cells, reproduce, based on a universal genetic code, grow and develop, obtain and use energy, respond to their environment, maintain homeostasis, and evolve over time.

What is the definition of unicellular organisms?

Organisms made of a single cell, such as yeast or paramecium.

What does multicellular mean?

Organisms composed of multiple cells, such as plants and animals.

What is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

Sexual reproduction involves the joining of two cells from different parents, while asexual reproduction results in offspring genetically identical to one parent.

What is DNA?

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that contains the universal genetic code.

What is metabolism?

The chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life, including energy use to build up or break down materials.

What is homeostasis?

The process by which organisms maintain stable internal conditions.

What is evolution?

The gradual adaptation process of organisms and species over time.

Who first coined the term 'cell' and when?

Robert Hooke in 1665.

Who stated that all plants are made of cells?

Matthias Schleiden in 1838.

What did Theodore Schwann conclude in 1839?

That all animals are made of cells.

What does Rudolf Virchow's findings relate to cell theory?

All cells come from existing cells.

What is the biosphere?

The whole world, including all biotic and abiotic factors.

What is an ecosystem?

All biotic and abiotic things in a particular area.

What is a community in biological terms?

All organisms living in a specific area.

Define population in biology.

One group of organisms of the same species.

What are tissues?

Groups of cells that work together to perform a function.

What are cells made of?

Molecules.

What is the role of the cell membrane?

To surround and regulate the passage of materials into and out of the cell.

What is the structure outside the cell membrane in plant cells?

Cell wall.

What does the nucleus contain?

Genetic material and controls cell activities.

What is cytoplasm?

Material inside the cell membrane that does not include the nucleus.

What is the primary function of ribosomes?

To make proteins by responding to coded messages.

What does the endoplasmic reticulum do?

It assembles cell membrane components and modifies proteins.

What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?

To attach carbs and lipids to proteins and send products to their final destination.

What do lysosomes do?

Break down lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins into usable particles and remove old organelles.

What is the purpose of vacuoles?

To store salts, proteins, and carbohydrates.

What are chloroplasts?

Organelles in plant cells that use sunlight to make glucose through photosynthesis.

What are mitochondria known as?

The powerhouse of the cell.

What is a phospholipid?

A molecule with a phosphate head and two lipid tails that makes up the cell membrane.

Define diffusion.

The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

What is osmosis?

The diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane.

What occurs during hypertonic solutions?

Water moves out of the cell due to a high concentration of solutes outside.

Define endocytosis.

The process of moving large molecules and fluids into the cell.

What is exocytosis?

The process of releasing contents out of the cell.

What does the pH scale measure?

The concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.

What is an acid?

A substance that increases H+ ion concentration and has a pH of 0-6.

What is a base?

A substance that increases hydroxide ion (OH-) concentration and has a pH of 8-14.

What is the basic unit of matter?

An atom.

What particles make up an atom?

Protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Define an isotope.

Atoms of the same element that differ in the number of neutrons.

What is a compound?

A substance made of atoms of two or more elements.

What type of bond involves sharing electrons?

Covalent bonds.

What type of bond involves the transfer of electrons?

Ionic bonds.

Define a macromolecule.

Giant molecules formed from smaller monomers.

What are the four groups of macromolecules?

Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

What are monosaccharides?

Single sugar molecules, such as glucose.

What are proteins made of?

Amino acids.

What are nucleotides?

The monomers of nucleic acids, composed of a nitrogenous base, phosphate group, and sugar.

What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

DNA is double-stranded with deoxyribose sugar, while RNA is single-stranded with ribose sugar.

What is the function of enzymes?

To speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

What occurs during the cell cycle’s interphase?

The cell performs normal functions, grows, and replicates DNA.

What are chromosomes?

Structures that contain the genetic material of the cell.

What happens during prophase?

Chromosomes form and the nuclear membrane dissolves.

What happens during metaphase?

Chromosomes line up at the equatorial center of the cell.

Define anaphase.

The phase where spindle fibers pull chromosomes apart to opposite poles.

What is cytokinesis?

Process where the cell membrane pinches to create two daughter cells.

What constitutes a nucleotide?

A nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a sugar.

What are Chargaff's rules?

A pairs with T (or U in RNA), C pairs with G.

What is DNA replication?

The process of DNA copying itself.