General Biology Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering core biology concepts including the Scientific Method, Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Macromolecules, Cell Organelles, Cell Transport, and Nutrition.

Control Group

The group that does not receive the independent variable; used for comparison.

Independent Variable

The variable the scientist changes.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured/observed.

Sample Size

The number of subjects or organisms in a study.

Observational Study

A study where researchers observe without changing variables.

Experimental Study

A study where researchers change a variable and measure the results.

Scientific Theory

A well-supported explanation based on lots of evidence.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about what will happen.

Proton

A subatomic particle with a positive ($+$) charge found in the nucleus.

Neutron

A subatomic particle with a neutral ($0$) charge found in the nucleus.

Electron

A subatomic particle with a negative ($-$) charge.

Ion

An atom that has gained or lost electrons and has a charge.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Ionic Bond

A bond where electrons are transferred from one atom to another.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

A bond where electrons are shared equally.

Polar Covalent Bond

A bond where electrons are shared unequally.

Macromolecules

The four main types of biological molecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

Macromolecules mainly used for quick/short-term energy.

Proteins

Macromolecules made of amino acids, used for building structures and carrying out cell functions.

Lipids

Macromolecules used for long-term energy storage, insulation, and cell membranes.

Nucleic Acids

DNA and RNA; macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information.

Saturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid with no carbon-carbon double bonds.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid with one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.

R-group

The variable side group that makes one amino acid different from another.

Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids your body cannot make enough of, so you need to get them from food.

Nonessential Amino Acids

Amino acids your body can make itself.

Central Vacuole

Organelle that stores water and other materials and helps plant cells maintain pressure.

Golgi Apparatus

Organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and other materials (acts as the post office/package center).

Pili

Hair-like structures on some bacteria that help with attachment and interactions.

Lysosome

Organelle that breaks down waste and old cell parts (acts as the cleanup crew).

Ribosome

Organelle that makes proteins (acts as the protein factory).

Nucleus

Organelle that stores DNA and helps control cell activities (acts as the control center).

Rough ER

Organelle that helps make and transport proteins; contains ribosomes.

Smooth ER

Organelle that makes lipids and helps with detoxification; has no ribosomes.

Isotonic

Similar solute concentration inside and outside the cell; water moves in and out at similar rates.

Hypotonic

Lower solute concentration outside the cell; water moves into the cell.

Hypertonic

Higher solute concentration outside the cell; water moves out of the cell.

Simple Diffusion

Movement from high $\rightarrow$ low concentration without energy.

Facilitated Diffusion

Movement from high $\rightarrow$ low concentration using a membrane protein, without energy.

Active Transport

Movement from low $\rightarrow$ high concentration using energy ($ATP$).

Osmosis

The movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Autotroph

An organism that makes its own food, usually using photosynthesis.

Heterotroph

An organism that gets food/energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter.

proteins

amino acids

carbs

sugar (monosaccharide)

lipids

fatty acids + glycerol

nucleic acid

nucleotides