Bio 1510-11 first exam

Biology

The science of life.

Constraints on Life

Life is constrained by the properties of chemistry and physics.

Cellular Organization

All living organisms are organized around at least one cell.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment.

Emergent Properties

Characteristics that appear at higher levels of organization due to component interactions.

Deductive Reasoning

Reasoning from general principles to specific predictions.

Inductive Reasoning

Reasoning from specific observations to a general conclusion.

Hypothesis

A testable, falsifiable possible explanation for observations.

Control Group

The variable-free group in an experiment used for comparison.

Reductionist Approach

Breaking a complex process or organism down into simpler parts.

Scientific Theory

An explanation supported by extensive experimental replication and evidence.

Natural Selection

The mechanism proposed by Charles Darwin to explain evolutionary change.

Homologous Structures

Structures with the same evolutionary origin and common ancestry.

Analogous Structures

Structures with similar function/appearance but different evolutionary origin.

Protons

Positively charged subatomic particles located in the atomic nucleus.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an atom.

Atomic Mass

The sum of protons plus neutrons in an atom.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element containing different numbers of neutrons.

Cations

Positively charged ions formed by losing electrons.

Anions

Negatively charged ions formed by gaining electrons.

Oxidation

The loss of an electron during a chemical reaction.

Reduction

The gain of an electron during a chemical reaction.

Octet Rule

The tendency of atoms to establish full outer energy levels with 8 electrons.

Four Abundant Elements in Human Body

Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen (CHNO).

Ionic Bond

Chemical bond formed by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Covalent Bond

Chemical bond formed when two or more atoms share valence electrons.

Polar Covalent Bond

Covalent bond with unequal sharing of electrons due to electronegativity differences.

Hydrogen Bond

Weak attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen and a slightly negative atom.

Specific Heat of Water

Water has high specific heat, which helps maintain thermal stability.

Density of Ice vs. Liquid Water

Ice is less dense than liquid water because water molecules spread apart.

Acids

Substances with pH 0-6.9 that donate hydrogen ions (H⁺) to a solution.

Bases

Substances with pH 7.1-14 that accept hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution.

Structural Isomers

Molecules with the same formula but different structural bonding sequences.

Stereoisomers

Molecules with the same bonding sequence but different 3D spatial arrangements.

Dehydration Synthesis

Reaction linking monomers into polymers by removing a water molecule.

Hydrolysis

Reaction breaking polymers into monomers by adding a water molecule.

Monosaccharide Ratio

Carbohydrate molecular ratio of 1 Carbon : 2 Hydrogen : 1 Oxygen.

Storage Polysaccharides

Starch in plants and glycogen in animals.

Structural Polysaccharides

Cellulose in plants and chitin in animals/fungi.

Nucleotide Components

A 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Purines

Adenine and Guanine.

Pyrimidines

Cytosine, Thymine (DNA), and Uracil (RNA).

Amino Acid Structure

Central carbon, amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen atom, and R group.

Primary Structure of Protein

The linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

Secondary Structure of Protein

Interactions and folding along the peptide backbone (e.g. helices/sheets).

Tertiary Structure of Protein

The final 3D folded shape of a single globular protein polypeptide.

Quaternary Structure of Protein

Spatial arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains in a protein.

Protein Denaturation

Loss of protein structure and function due to altered pH, temperature, or ionic concentration.

Triglyceride Structure

Composed of one glycerol head attached to three fatty acid tails.

Phospholipid Structure

Composed of one glycerol head, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group.