Final Exam Part 1

Chapters 1-7

Steps of scientific method

The systematic process of inquiry including observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, data collection, and conclusion.

Independent variable

The variable in an experiment that is manipulated or changed to observe its effects on the dependent variable.

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment to assess the impact of the independent variable.

Major elements of life

The primary elements essential for life include carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

Atom

The basic unit of matter composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Atomic number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.

Isotopes

Variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Properties of water

Unique characteristics including cohesion, adhesion, high specific heat, and solvent capabilities.

Chemical bonds

Forces that hold atoms together, including covalent bonds, ionic bonds, and hydrogen bonds.

Four major groups of biological molecules

Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, each with their own monomers and polymers.

Dehydration synthesis

A chemical reaction that involves the loss of water to form a bond between two molecules.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that breaks down a compound by adding water.

Prokaryotic cells

Single-celled organisms without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, such as bacteria.

Eukaryotic cells

Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Plasma membrane

A lipid bilayer with embedded proteins that separates the interior of cells from the outside environment.

Endomembrane system

A system of membranes within eukaryotic cells that includes the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and vesicles.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell's genetic material and controls cellular activities.

Potential energy

Stored energy in an object due to its position or arrangement.

Kinetic energy

The energy of an object in motion.

Law of conservation of energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms.

Entropy

A measure of disorder or randomness in a system, which tends to increase over time.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions without being consumed.

Passive transport

Movement of molecules across cell membranes without energy input, including diffusion and facilitated diffusion.

Cellular respiration

The process of converting glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), with carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

Aerobic respiration

Cellular respiration that requires oxygen.

Anaerobic respiration

Cellular respiration that occurs without oxygen.

Glycolysis

The first stage of cellular respiration that breaks down glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP.

Krebs cycle

A series of biochemical reactions that generates energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

Oxidative phosphorylation

The final stage of cellular respiration where ATP is produced using the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

Photosynthesis equation

The process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight.

Photosystem

A complex of proteins and pigments in the thylakoid membrane that captures light energy.

Light reactions

The first stage of photosynthesis that converts solar energy into chemical energy, producing ATP and NADPH.

Calvin cycle

The second stage of photosynthesis where ATP and NADPH are used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.