BIO1000F Theory Exam June 2025 Review

These vocabulary flashcards cover key concepts from the BIO1000F Cell Biology examination, including molecular biology, genetics, metabolism, and cell signaling.

Oxygen revolution

A dramatic change in Earth's environment that led to the evolution of cellular respiration, which used oxygen to help harvest energy from organic molecules.

Nucleolus

The specific part of the nucleus responsible for assembling ribosomes and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).

Vinblastine

A drug that inhibits microtubule polymerization; it is used to treat cancer by preventing the separation of chromosomes during cell division.

Isotopes ($C-13$ and $N-15$)

Atoms of Carbon and Nitrogen that each have an extra neutron compared to the more abundant $C-12$ and $N-14$.

Hydrogen bonding in water

The chemical interaction that results in water properties like surface tension, adhesion, and cohesion.

Chitin

A polysaccharide that acts as an important structural component in many animal and fungal cells.

Side chain (R-group)

The component of an amino acid that gives the molecule its unique identity.

Heterozygous cross ratio

A $3:1$ ratio for a particular trait in offspring which suggests that both parents were heterozygous.

Sturtevant's evidence

Genetic evidence for four pairs of chromosomes in Drosophila based on genes clustering into four distinct groups of linked genes.

ZW chromosome scheme

A sex determination system in birds where males are $ZZ$ and females are $ZW$.

Recombination frequency of $50\%$

A value indicating that two genes are likely to be located on different chromosomes.

Thymine

A nitrogenous base component of nucleic acids that is found ONLY in DNA.

Uracil

A nitrogenous base component of nucleic acids that is found in RNA but not DNA.

Chargaff's application (Guanine calculation)

If double-stranded DNA contains $28\%$ thymine, it must contain $22\%$ guanine ($28\%$ T means $28\%$ A, leaving $44\%$ for G and C).

Translation

A cellular process that directly utilizes mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA to synthesize proteins.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides that may code for the same amino acid as another sequence (redundancy).

Aquaporins

Specific channel proteins; a cell lacking them would experience a reduced rate of water movement across the membrane.

Catabolism and Anabolism

Metabolic processes where the former is exergonic and the latter is endergonic.

Free energy (Thermodynamics)

The energy available to do work; doubling the enzyme in a reaction with a $\Delta G$ of $-20\,kcal/mol$ does not change the $\Delta G$.

Proton gradient

A gradient established and maintained using free energy released as electrons pass from photosystem II to photosystem I.

Reduction

The process that occurs when a more electronegative atom receives electrons, often resulting in the release of energy.

Substrate-level phosphorylation

The process of ATP production that occurs in both glycolysis and the citric acid cycle.

Beta-oxidation

The process that converts fats to acetyl-CoAs, typically bypassing glycolysis and pyruvate oxidation.

Phosphofructokinase

An allosteric enzyme that is activated by ADP to increase the rates of glycolysis and the citric acid cycle.

Plasmodesmata

Channels connecting adjacent plant cells that allow ligands to diffuse for direct communication.

Signal signaling stages

The three stages from the perspective of the receiving cell: signal reception, signal transduction, and cellular response.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that occurs when a cell is damaged, no longer needed, or infected by pathogens.

Epinephrine

A molecule that acts as both a neurotransmitter and a hormone, causing an increase in blood glucose levels.

Sex-linkage

A genetic condition where genes are located on the sex chromosomes (Z, W, X, or Y).

Physical linkage

A genetic condition where genes are located on the same chromosome.