Exam 1

What are the characteristics of life?

Made of cells, responds to stimuli, maintains homeostasis, grows and develops, reproduces, processes energy, evolves.

What is the order of levels of biological organization?

Atom → Molecule → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biosphere.

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Observation → Hypothesis → Experiment → Data → Conclusion → Publish.

What is homeostasis?

The body’s ability to maintain internal balance (e.g., temperature, pH).

How is homeostasis maintained?

Through negative feedback mechanisms.

What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?

Anatomy = structure, Physiology = function.

What are the components of an atom?

Protons (+), neutrons (0), electrons (–).

What is the atomic number?

The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom.

What is the mass number?

The mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons in an atom.

What is an ionic bond?

A bond that involves the transfer of electrons (e.g., NaCl).

What is a covalent bond?

A bond that involves the sharing of electrons (e.g., H₂O).

What is a hydrogen bond?

A weak bond that occurs between polar molecules (e.g., water).

What are the properties of water?

Cohesion, adhesion, high heat capacity, universal solvent, and polarity.

What does the pH scale measure?

The concentration of hydrogen ions.

What is the range of the pH scale?

0–6 acidic, 7 neutral, 8–14 basic.

What are buffers?

Substances that resist pH changes in the body.

What are macromolecules?

Large molecules made up of smaller units called monomers.

What are the monomers for carbohydrates?

Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose).

What are the monomers for lipids?

Fatty acids and glycerol.

What are the monomers for proteins?

Amino acids.

What are the monomers for nucleic acids?

Nucleotides (DNA & RNA).

What are the functions of carbohydrates?

Energy storage.

What are the functions of lipids?

Energy storage and insulation.

What are the functions of proteins?

Serve as enzymes and provide structure.

What are the functions of nucleic acids?

Store and transmit genetic information.

What are enzymes?

Biological catalysts that speed up reactions.

What affects the activity of enzymes?

pH and temperature.

What is dehydration synthesis?

A process that links monomers by removing water.

What is hydrolysis?

A process that breaks bonds by adding water.