Biology Lab Study Guide Flashcards

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and processes in Biology as outlined in the lecture material.

What is the main purpose of the scientific method?

To pose and answer questions about the natural world through repeatable, unbiased experiments.

Which of the following is a well-formed scientific question?

Are flamingos pink due to evolutionary or environmental factors?

What makes a good hypothesis?

It must be testable and falsifiable, supported by research.

What is a null hypothesis (H₀)?

A hypothesis that assumes no significant difference between variables.

In an experiment, which variable is changed to observe its effect?

Independent variable.

Which of the following is a correct example of an alternative hypothesis?

Flamingos that consume more astaxanthin will possess more pigment granules in their feathers.

Why are control groups important in experiments?

They are used for comparison to validate results.

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?

Qualitative data is descriptive and non-numerical; quantitative data is numerical and measurable.

What comes after analyzing the data in the scientific method?

Reporting results.

What should be done if experimental data does not support the hypothesis?

Accept the null hypothesis and consider revising the hypothesis.

What is the primary purpose of a light microscope?

To magnify and resolve small objects not visible to the naked eye.

What does resolution in microscopy refer to?

The ability to distinguish between two closely spaced objects.

Which system of the microscope includes the light source and condenser lens?

Illuminating system.

Which lens should you use first when focusing on a specimen?

Scanning objective (4X).

How do you calculate total magnification?

Multiply ocular lens magnification by objective lens magnification.

Which knob should ONLY be used with the scanning and low power objectives?

Coarse focus knob.

Which type of slide allows the observation of living specimens?

Wet mount.

What should you do if your viewing field looks half-lit ('half-moon' effect)?

Make sure the objective lens is fully clicked into place.

When using the high-power objective, which focusing knob should you use?

Fine focus knob.

What should you do when carrying a microscope?

Hold it with both hands—one under the base and one on the arm.

What are macromolecules made of?

Repeating units of monomers.

Which process links monomers to form polymers?

Dehydration synthesis.

What type of macromolecule is primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio?

Carbohydrates.

Which test is used to detect reducing sugars?

Benedict’s Test.

The Biuret Test is used to detect the presence of:

Peptide bonds.

Which of the following would give a positive result in the Iodine Test?

Starch.

Which of the following is NOT a type of lipid?

Glycogen.

What result indicates the presence of lipids in the Grease Spot Test?

Translucent grease mark on paper.

The Dische Diphenylamine Test is used to detect:

DNA.

What is the role of a positive control in a biochemical test?

To demonstrate the test's ability to detect the expected variable.

Which of the following is a basic feature found in all cells?

Plasma membrane.

What is the primary function of ribosomes in a cell?

Protein synthesis.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of prokaryotic cells?

Membrane-bound organelles.

Cyanobacteria are important because they:

Contribute to photosynthesis and atmospheric oxygenation.

What is the gelatinous outer covering found on some prokaryotic cells?

Capsule.

Which structure is used by Amoeba for movement and food capture?

Pseudopodia.

What is the role of the contractile vacuole in Amoeba?

Expelling water and waste.

Which group includes single-celled eukaryotes like Amoeba, Paramecium, and Spirogyra?

Protists.

What term is used to describe all the material and organelles contained within the plasma membrane of a eukaryotic cell?

Cytosol.

Which of the following is found only in eukaryotic cells and not in prokaryotic cells?

Nucleus.

Which type of molecule passes most easily through the plasma membrane?

Small, uncharged, nonpolar molecules.

What is the main component of the cell membrane that forms the bilayer?

Phospholipids.

Osmosis involves the movement of water:

From high solute concentration to low solute concentration.

Which of the following best describes a solution at equilibrium?

No net movement of molecules.

What is the function of proteins embedded in the membrane?

Transport and communication.

A dialysis bag is used in the lab to:

Separate substances based on size via diffusion.

Which of the following is a polar molecule mentioned in the experiment?

NaCl.

What property of a solution determines its tonicity?

Solute concentration.

Which of the following factors has the greatest effect on the direction of diffusion?

Concentration gradient.

What is the role of carbohydrates in the cell membrane?

Act as identification markers for the immune system.

What is the primary function of the cell membrane?

Defining borders and regulating interaction with the environment.

Which component is the primary structural element of cellular membranes?

Phospholipids.

In the phospholipid bilayer, the nonpolar tails are oriented:

Toward each other, inside the bilayer.

Proteins embedded in the membrane help with:

Transport and communication.

What is the function of membrane carbohydrates?

Serving as identification markers for the immune system.

What pigment is released when beet cell membranes are damaged?

Betacyanin.

What is the tonoplast in a beet cell?

The membrane around the central vacuole.

Which of the following conditions is most likely to disrupt membrane integrity?

High temperatures or organic solvents.

What is the main purpose of using beet cells in the membrane integrity experiment?

To visually assess membrane damage through pigment release.

Integral proteins are:

Embedded within the membrane structure.

What are enzymes made of?

Proteins.

The specific region of an enzyme that binds to the substrate is called the:

Active site.

Which of the following best describes the 'lock and key' model of enzyme function?

Enzymes and substrates fit together based on complementary shapes.

What is the purpose of enzymes in metabolic reactions?

Lower activation energy and increase reaction rate.

What happens when an enzyme becomes denatured?

It permanently changes shape and becomes ineffective.

Which of the following environmental conditions can cause enzyme denaturation?

Extreme heat or pH.

How does temperature generally affect enzymatic activity?

Increases activity then decreases it if too high.

What is the term for the energy required to initiate a chemical reaction?

Activation energy.

What role does catechol oxidase play in the lab experiment?

Serves as the enzyme to test temperature effects.

How can some enzymatic reaction rates be measured in the lab?

By the color change of the reaction mixture.

What is the purpose of mitosis?

To replicate and divide a cell’s nucleus for growth and repair.

During which phase of interphase does DNA replication occur?

S phase.

What structure connects sister chromatids together?

Centromere.

Which phase of mitosis involves the chromosomes aligning at the center of the cell?

Metaphase.

In which phase do sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles?

Anaphase.

What is the final result of mitosis and cytokinesis?

Two identical diploid cells.

Meiosis is responsible for producing:

Gametes.

Which process in meiosis leads to genetic variation?

Crossing over.

How many daughter cells result from meiosis?

Four.

What is the chromosome condition of the daughter cells produced in meiosis?

Haploid and genetically unique.

What is the main purpose of cellular respiration?

To release energy from organic molecules and capture it in ATP.

Which of the following processes occurs in both aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Glycolysis.

What is the net ATP gain from glycolysis?

2 ATP.

In aerobic respiration, pyruvate is converted into:

Acetyl CoA.

What is the main function of the electron transport chain?

To transport electrons and generate ATP.

What byproduct is produced during alcohol fermentation that helps bread rise?

Carbon dioxide.

Which compound acts as a cofactor and activates enzymes in glycolysis during the experiment?

Magnesium sulfate.

What is the role of sodium fluoride in the experiment?

Inhibitor.

What is produced when pyruvate is converted during lactic acid fermentation?

Lactic acid.

Which type of organism can carry out respiration without oxygen?

Anaerobes.

What is the definition of heredity?

The process of passing traits from parent to offspring.

Which of the following is an example of an inherited trait in humans?

Eye color.

Which statement best describes an acquired trait?

Traits that are learned or developed over time.

Which reproduction type produces genetically identical offspring?

Asexual reproduction.

What is a disadvantage of sexual reproduction?

Time-consuming and fewer offspring.

What is a dominant gene?

A gene that can be expressed with just one copy.

What process is used to predict genetic outcomes using parental genotypes?

Punnett square.

Which is not a type of asexual reproduction?

Cross-pollination.

What is one advantage of genetic diversity in sexual reproduction?

Ability to adapt to environmental changes.

Which inherited trait helps a zebra survive in the wild?

Stripes for camouflage.