Biol 101 Final Exam Review

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes for the Biology 101 Final Exam.

What are the steps of the scientific method?

The steps include observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, analysis of data, and conclusion.

Define theory and hypothesis. How are they related?

A theory is a well-substantiated explanation, while a hypothesis is a testable prediction; a hypothesis can become a theory through extensive testing.

Can a theory or hypothesis be proven?

No, they cannot be proven definitively; they can only be supported or refuted based on evidence.

What are the characteristics of good experiments?

They must include controls, independent and dependent variables, and reproducibility.

What defines 'living' things?

Living things exhibit characteristics such as growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, and metabolism.

How are population, community, and ecosystem related?

Population is a group of individuals of the same species, a community is composed of multiple populations, and an ecosystem includes both communities and the physical environment.

What factors influence population size?

Carrying capacity, density-dependent factors (like competition), and density-independent factors (like natural disasters).

What is the difference between exponential and logistic growth?

Exponential growth occurs without resource limits, while logistic growth accounts for carrying capacity.

What types of interactions occur in a biological community?

Interactions include competition, predator-prey, parasite-host, commensalism, and mutualism.

What are adaptations in predator-prey interactions?

Adaptations include camouflage, warning coloration, chemical defenses, mechanical defenses, and behavioral defenses.

What is competitive exclusion?

It is the principle that two species competing for the same resource cannot coexist.

What causes resource partitioning?

Resource partitioning arises from competition and allows species to coexist by utilizing different resources.

How does Earth's shape influence weather and biomes?

Earth's shape and circulation patterns distribute sunlight unevenly, affecting climate and biome distribution.

What are the natural reservoirs for carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen?

Carbon is stored in the atmosphere and oceans, phosphorus in rocks, and nitrogen in the atmosphere; each is recycled through biogeochemical cycles.

What is the ultimate source of energy for our planet?

The sun is the ultimate source of energy, influencing food web sizes and energy transfer.

What is the 10% rule of energy transfer?

Approximately 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next in a food web.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

What defines biodiversity hotspots?

Biodiversity hotspots are regions with significant levels of endemic species and are experiencing habitat loss.

Why shouldn't you release a pet into the wild?

Released pets can disrupt local ecosystems as invasive species, outcompeting native species.

What are human impacts on the biosphere?

Human impacts include habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and introduction of invasive species.

How does succession influence biodiversity?

Succession can increase biodiversity over time by creating new habitats and opportunities for different species.

What are the byproducts of burning fossil fuels?

Byproducts include carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to global warming and acid rain.

What causes global warming?

Global warming is caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

What are the molecules of life?

The major molecules of life are proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, each serving essential roles.

Which macromolecule is the primary energy source for organisms?

Carbohydrates are the primary energy source for organisms.

What are the protein structure levels?

The four levels are primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure.

What is the cell theory?

The cell theory states that all living organisms are composed of cells, and cells are the basic unit of life.

What are the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Prokaryotes are unicellular and lack a nucleus, while eukaryotes can be multicellular or unicellular and have a nucleus.

Why do cells have organelles?

Organelles allow for compartmentalization of functions, improving efficiency in cellular processes.

What is endosymbiosis theory?

Endosymbiosis theory suggests that eukaryotic cells evolved from symbiotic relationships between prokaryotic cells.

What are enzymes?

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed.

What are the three properties of enzymes?

They are specific, can be reused, and work best at optimal conditions (temperature and pH).

What are the major components of the cell membrane?

The cell membrane is primarily composed of phospholipids.

What are the roles of DNA helicase and DNA polymerase?

DNA helicase unwinds the DNA strands, while DNA polymerase synthesizes the new DNA strand.

What is a mutation?

A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence; it can be caused by errors in DNA replication or environmental factors.

What is a chromosome made of?

A chromosome is made of DNA wrapped around histone proteins; genes are located on the DNA.

What is the main purpose of mitosis?

Mitosis is for growth and tissue repair, producing two identical daughter cells.

What is the difference between homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids?

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes from each parent, while sister chromatids are identical copies formed after DNA replication.

What is the main purpose of meiosis?

Meiosis produces gametes for sexual reproduction, reducing chromosome number by half.

How is RNA different from DNA?

RNA contains ribose sugar, is single-stranded, and has uracil instead of thymine.

What processes involve RNA?

Transcription and translation both involve RNA; replication involves DNA.

What is the relationship between proteins and visible traits?

Proteins determine traits by influencing phenotype through gene expression.

What defines cancer in relation to the cell cycle?

Cancer disrupts normal regulation of the cell cycle, leading to uncontrolled cell division.

What is metastasis?

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another, a characteristic of malignant tumors.

What are the basic steps of cloning?

Cloning involves somatic cell nuclear transfer, where the nucleus of a somatic cell is transferred to an egg cell.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of giving rise to various cell types.

What are the differences between embryonic and adult stem cells?

Embryonic stem cells can develop into any cell type, while adult stem cells are more limited in their differentiation potential.

What types of biotechnology exist?

Types of biotechnology include DNA fingerprinting, transgenic organisms, gene therapy, and CRISPR technology.

What does it mean for a gene to be dominant?

A dominant allele expresses its trait even in the presence of a recessive allele.

What is a dihybrid cross?

A dihybrid cross examines the inheritance of two different traits, typically represented in a 4x4 Punnett square.

What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

Homologous structures have a shared ancestry, while analogous structures have similar functions but different evolutionary origins.

What are vestigial structures?

Vestigial structures are remnants of structures that served important functions in the organism's ancestors.

What are the three criteria for natural selection?

Variation in traits, heritability of traits, and differential survival and reproduction.