Biology 1113 Lab Final Exam Review

These flashcards cover key biological concepts and definitions to aid in studying for the Biology 1113 Lab Final Exam.

What is semiconservative replication?

The process where the original double-stranded helix is split apart lengthwise into single-stranded halves, and each original strand combines with a new strand to make new double helices.

What defines a hypotonic solution?

A hypotonic solution is one in which the concentration of solutes outside of the cell is less than that inside the cell.

What occurs in hypertonic conditions for plant cells?

In hypertonic conditions, plant cells undergo plasmolysis, where they lose water and shrink away from the cell wall.

What is the role of nucleotides in DNA?

Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA, consisting of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

What is the Hill reaction in photosynthesis?

The Hill reaction describes the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, where water is split to release oxygen.

Define osmosis.

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.

What happens during the light reactions of photosynthesis?

Light reactions capture solar energy to produce ATP and NADPH, which are used in the Calvin Cycle to synthesize glucose.

What is the significance of the Calvin cycle?

The Calvin cycle uses ATP and NADPH produced in the light reactions to fix carbon dioxide into carbohydrates.

What are alleles?

Alleles are different versions of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.

What is the structure of the cell membrane?

The cell membrane is primarily composed of a phospholipid bilayer, proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates that contribute to its fluidity and functionality.

What is the primary function of enzymes?

Enzymes act as catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required.

What does the term 'pH' refer to?

pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution, indicating the concentration of hydrogen ions.

What is diffusion?

Diffusion is the random movement of molecules from regions of higher concentration to regions of lower concentration.

How does facilitated diffusion differ from active transport?

Facilitated diffusion requires no energy and moves substances down their concentration gradient, while active transport uses energy to move substances against their gradient.

Define crenation.

Crenation describes the shrinkage of animal cells when placed in a hypertonic solution, causing them to appear wrinkled.

What is the purpose of PCR?

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplifies a specific DNA segment, allowing for its replication in large quantities from a small initial sample.

What role do pigments play in photosynthesis?

Pigments, such as chlorophyll, absorb light energy from the sun, which is essential for the photosynthetic process.

What is the definition of a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon, serving as a starting point for further investigation.

What is the significance of using a control in an experiment?

Controls are used to isolate the effect of the treatment and help ensure that the results are due to the variable being tested.

Why is it important to standardize data?

Standardizing data helps to minimize bias and ensures that different measurements can be compared accurately.

What is the function of guaiacol in experiments?

Guaiacol is used to measure enzyme activity and is a color indicator for the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

Define passive transport.

Passive transport is the movement of molecules across a cell membrane without the use of energy, relying on concentration gradients.

What does 'parfocal' mean in microscopy?

Parfocal refers to the ability of a microscope to maintain focus on a specimen when changing from one objective lens to another.

What is the role of Taq polymerase in PCR?

Taq polymerase is a thermostable enzyme used in PCR to synthesize new strands of DNA by adding nucleotides to a growing chain.

Describe the significance of Mendel's laws of inheritance.

Mendel's laws describe how traits are inherited through generations, including the principle of segregation and independent assortment.

What happens during anaphase?

During anaphase, sister chromatids are pulled apart and move toward opposite poles of the cell.

Define experimental design.

Experimental design is the detailed plan for how an experiment will be conducted, including how variables will be controlled and measured.