Rutgers General Biology 115 Exam 1

what is Neural Development

involves gene expression and signal transduction (nervous system in the brain)

what is Neuronal Plasticity

modifications to nervous system after birth; activity dependent; "use it or lose it"

what are Synapses

junction between neurons that tell the brain memories. When broken, the memory is "lost"

What's the first step in the process of memory formation?

Stimulus

What's the second step in the process of memory formation?

Sensory Memory

What's the third step in the process of memory formation?

Short-Term Memory

What's the fourth step in the process of memory formation?

Long-Term Memory

What process is it when you retrieve memory from the long-term memory into the short-term?

Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

What happens when sensory memory and short-term memory is not encoded?

Forgotten

what is Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

encoding and reencoding memories; changes the brain (stronger synapses/memory)

what is a Neuron

Nerve cell

what is Emergence

the whole is more than just the sum of its parts (ex: H2O)

what are the Levels of Biological Organization (largest to smallest)

Biosphere > Ecosystems > Communities > Populations > Organisms > Organs & Organ Systems > Tissues > Cells > Organelles > Molecule

what does BECPO(OS)TCOM mean

an acronym for the levels of biological organization

What's 1st the level of biological organization? (from largest to smallest)

Biosphere

What's 2nd the level of biological organization? (from largest to smallest)

Ecosystems

What's 3rd the level of biological organization? (from largest to smallest)

Communities

What's 4th the level of biological organization? (from largest to smallest)

Populations

What's the 5th level of biological organization? (from largest to smallest)

Organisms

What's 6th the level of biological organization? (from largest to smallest)

Organs/Organ Systems

What's 7th the level of biological organization? (from largest to smallest)

Tissues

What's the 8th level of biological organization? (from largest to smallest)

Cells

What's the 9th level of biological organization? (from largest to smallest)

Organelles

What's the 10th level of biological organization? (from largest to smallest)

Molecules

Hypothesis

testable explanation for observations based on available data

what is a Prediction

what you expect to see when you test your hypothesis

what is a Theory

broad explanation with significant support

what is a Law

statement of what always occurs under certain circumstances

what is The Scientific Method

Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Collection, Conclusion, and Retest (if needed)

what are Electrons (e-)

a subatomic particle with a negative charge, move rapidly, determine how element reacts

What happens when an electron is is excited?

Moves farther away from the nucleus, can be used to do work

what is a Electron Shell

electron's potential energy

what is a Valence Shell

the outermost shell- where the bonds between electrons form

what is CHON

the 4 main elements in Biology (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen)

what is a Molecule

compound with 2 or more atoms

what is Energy

capacity to cause change or perform work

what is Electronegativity

affinity for electrons; tendency of an atom go attract electrons

In terms of biology, which element has the highest electronegativity?

Oxygen

what is Covalent Bond

sharing of electrons between atoms

what is Ionic Bond

stealing of electron between atoms, Polar, anion and cation, salts

what is a Nonpolar Covalent

same electronegativity = share e- equally

what is a Polar Covalent

<2 difference in electronegativity = share e- unequally

what is a Cation

positive ion

what is a Anion

negative ion

what is a Hydrogen Bond

VERY STRONG dipole-dipole interactions; holds water together (polarity causes attractions w/ eachother)

what are Van Der Waals

develop because electrons are in constant motion

involves hydrogen bonds and london dispersion forces

What are the emergent properties of water?

hydrogen bonds, cohesive behavior, moderates temperature, expansion upon freezing, versatility as a solvent

what is Cohesion

molecules stick to each other

what is Adhesion

water molecules stick to other polar molecules by hydrogen bonding

what is Surface Tension

A measure of how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid (see cohesion)

Does water have a high or low specific heat?

high specific heat

What does a high specific heat mean?

Hard to change H2O temperature

Does water have a high or low heat of vaporization?

high heat of vaporization

What does a high heat of vaporization mean?

hard to change state

Why does ice float in water?

Ice is less dense than water, H bonds are more "ordered", makes air pockets

When does water reach its greatest density?

4°C

what is Hydrophilic

water loving (ions, salts)

what is Hydrophobic

water fearing (lipids)

Is something hydrophobic polar or nonpolar?

nonpolar

Is something hydrophilic polar or nonpolar?

polar

Why is carbon important in organic compounds?

it provides molecule length, double bond positions, branching, and suggests the presence of rings

What is function parallel with?

structure

what are Hydrocarbons

compounds composed of only carbon and hydrogen (nonpolar)

what is compound name for the Hydroxyl Group

-OH

What is the compound name of hydroxyl?

alcohol (-ol)

Is hydroxyl polar/nonpolar? Hydrophilic or Hydrophobic?

Polar, Hydrophilic

How acidic is hydroxyl?

Slightly Acidic

what is the compound name for the Carbonyl Group

C=O

What is the compound name of carbonyl?

aldehyde/ketone

Is carbonyl polar/nonpolar? Hydrophilic or Hydrophobic?

Polar, Hydrophilic

How acidic is carbonyl?

Slightly Acidic

Carboxyl Group

-COOH

What is the compound name of carboxyl?

Carboxylic acid

Is Carboxyl polar/nonpolar? Hydrophilic or Hydrophobic?

Polar, Hydrophilic

How acidic is carboxyl?

Acidic

what is the Amino Group

-NH2

What is the compound name for amino?

Amines

Is Amino polar/nonpolar? Hydrophilic or Hydrophobic?

Polar, Hydrophilic

How acidic is amino?

IT'S BASIC

what is the Sulfhydryl Group

-SH

What is the compound name of sulfhydryl?

thiols

Is sulfhydryl polar/nonpolar? Hydrophilic or Hydrophobic?

Polar, Hydrophilic

How acidic is sulfhydryl?

Slightly Acidic

what is the Phosphate Group

-PO4H2

What is the compound name of phosphate?

Organic Phosphate

Is phosphate polar/nonpolar? Hydrophilic or Hydrophobic?

Polar, Hydrophilic

How acidic is phosphate?

Acidic

what is the Methyl Group

-CH3

What is the compound name of methyl?

Methyl Hydrocarbon

Is methyl polar/nonpolar? Hydrophilic or Hydrophobic?

NONPOLAR, HYDROPHOBIC

How acidic is methyl?

NEUTRAL

Is oil saturated or unsaturated?

unsaturated

Is butter saturated or unsaturated?

saturated

what are Monomers

building blocks of polymers

Which biological molecule is NOT a polymer?

lipids

what are Polymer

molecules composed of many monomers; makes up macromolecules

what is Dehydration Synthesis

a chemical reaction in which two molecules are bonded together with the removal of a water molecule

what is Hydrolysis

a chemical reaction that splits a molecule by adding water.

What enzyme is used in dehydration synthesis?

dehydrogenases

What enzyme is used in hydrolysis?

hydrolases