Biology Lecture Notes on Cellular and Molecular Biology

These flashcards cover key concepts in cellular and molecular biology as noted in the lecture, including definitions of important terms and distinctions between different types of biological studies and molecules.

Observational Study

A research method where researchers observe without manipulating variables.

Experimental Study

A research method where researchers manipulate one or more variables to observe effects.

Causation

The relationship where one variable directly causes a change in another.

Correlation

A relationship between two variables where they change together, not necessarily implying cause.

Independent Variable

The variable that is changed or manipulated by the researcher.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in response to changes in the independent variable.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Hydrophilic

Compounds that interact positively with water.

Hydrophobic

Compounds that do not interact with water.

Macromolecules

Large molecules, including carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.

Polymer

A large molecule composed of repeating monomer units.

Monomer

The basic building block of polymers.

Dehydration Reaction

A chemical reaction in which two molecules join together by losing a molecule of water.

Hydrolysis

The chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water.

Peer Review

The process where other scientists examine research before publication to ensure accuracy.

Nucleic Acids

Polymers made of nucleotides that store and transmit genetic information.

Amino Acids

Organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

Protein Denaturation

The process where proteins lose their three-dimensional structure, rendering them inactive.

Functional Groups

Specific groups of atoms within molecules that determine the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules.

Phospholipid

A molecule with a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails, forming cell membranes.

Steroids

Lipids that have a structure of four fused carbon rings and function in signaling.

Eukaryote

An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and organelles, such as animals and plants.

Prokaryote

A unicellular organism without a nucleus, such as bacteria.