Biology Study Guide: Questions & Answers

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key biology concepts for review.

What are the levels of organization in biology?

atom -molecule -organelle -cell -tissue -organ -organ system -organism -population -community -ecosystem -biosphere

Where does primary growth in plants start?

tips of roots and shoots

Define a producer in an ecosystem.

make their own food via photosynthesis

What structure is a stack of thylakoids called?

Granum (plural: grana).

What is the function of mitochondria?

Convert chemical energy of food into ATP (energy).

What occurs in the light reactions of photosynthesis?

make ATP and NADPH, and release O2

What structure is absent in prokaryotic cells?

nucleus

Define ionic bond.

Transfer of electrons.

Define covalent bond.

Sharing of electrons.

What is an atom?

smallest unit of matter

Explain the terms solute and solvent.

solute: substance dissolved; solvent: substance that dissolves

What is an active site?

enzyme region where substrate binds

What are eudicots?

Plants with two seed leaves, netlike veins, vascular bundles in a ring, and flower parts in 4s or 5s.

When do plants use CAM photosynthesis?

At night, stomata open to take in CO2, which is used during the day.

What are the building blocks for proteins?

Amino acids → peptides → polypeptides → proteins.

What compounds link the light reactions with the Calvin cycle?

ATP and NADPH.

What does the first law of thermodynamics state?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

During what process does ATP release energy?

When its phosphate bond is broken (ATP → ADP + P).

Define active transport.

Transport that requires ATP and moves substances against their concentration gradient.

Define passive transport.

Transport that does not require energy and moves substances with their gradient.

What occurs during the hydrolysis of maltose?

It splits into two glucose molecules.

What are the prokaryotic domains?

Bacteria and Archaea.

Where are stomata located?

On the underside of leaves.

Where is chlorophyll found inside the chloroplast?

In the thylakoid membranes.

Define potential energy.

Stored energy.

Define kinetic energy.

Energy of motion.

What are chromosomes made of?

DNA and proteins (chromatin).

What are the products of photosynthesis?

Glucose and oxygen.

Describe CAM photosynthesis.

CO2 is absorbed at night, stored, and used during the day.

What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?

Modifies, stores, and ships proteins and lipids.

What are the functions of the shoot system in plants?

photosynthesis, transport, support, reproduce

What are the basic characteristics of atoms?

made of protons, neutrons, electrons; smallest unit of an element.

Define energy of activation.

Energy needed to start a chemical reaction.

What are the parts of a nucleotide of RNA?

Ribose sugar, phosphate group, nitrogenous base (A, U, C, G)

What is the function of a fish's lateral line?

Detects water movement and vibrations.

Define plasmodesmata.

Channels between plant cells for communication and transport.

Define compound and element.

Element: pure substance of one atom type; Compound: two or more elements in fixed ratio.

Define isotope.

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

What sugar is found in DNA?

Deoxyribose.

What is the function of ribosomes?

Protein synthesis.

Define cellulose and its location.

Structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls.

List the levels of classification in biology.

Domain → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species.

Through what process are glucose molecules formed?

Photosynthesis (Calvin cycle).

Define metabolism.

Sum of all chemical reactions in an organism.

Recognize an organic molecule that contains five carbon atoms.

A 5-carbon sugar like ribose or deoxyribose.

What is the heat capacity of water?

High heat capacity due to hydrogen bonding.

What is the process called when monomers join to form a polymer?

Dehydration reaction.

What does ATP stand for?

Adenosine triphosphate, energy currency.

What is diffusion?

A type of passive transport.

What is osmosis?

Type of diffusion specific to water.

What sugar makes up DNA?

Deoxyribose.

What are the basic units of proteins?

Amino acids → dipeptides → polypeptides → proteins.

Differentiate between potential and kinetic energy.

Potential: stored; Kinetic: energy of motion.

What is entropy?

Measure of disorder.

What occurs in the Calvin cycle during photosynthesis?

CO2 is fixed into sugars (G3P) using ATP and NADPH.

Provide examples of acids.

Citrus fruits and vinegar.

Is domain Bacteria composed of prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic.

What does extinction mean?

Complete loss of a species.

Is chlorophyll the only pigment in plants?

No, there are also carotenoids and other pigments.

Differentiate the goals of science and technology.

Science: to understand nature; Technology: to apply knowledge for practical purposes.

Why does water have a pH of 7?

Because H+ and OH- ions are equal in pure water.

Differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic: small, no nucleus; Eukaryotic: larger, has nucleus and organelles.

Where does the substrate fit in an enzyme?

The active site.

Define a molecule.

Atoms bonded together.

Define a compound.

Different elements bonded together.

What is the most inclusive classification level?

Domain.

Differentiate between ionic and covalent bonds.

Ionic: electron transfer; Covalent: electron sharing.

What happens during the hydrolysis of maltose?

It yields two glucose molecules (enzyme = maltase).

What is the definition of atomic number?

Number of protons in an atom.

What is the innermost compartment of the chloroplast called?

Thylakoid space.

What occurs in photosynthesis if carbon dioxide is replaced with oxygen?

Photorespiration occurs, and no sugar is formed.

Differentiate between atom and molecule.

Atom: smallest unit of matter; Molecule: two or more atoms bonded.

What is a C3 plant?

Plants that directly use CO2 and are prone to photorespiration.

What is a C4 plant?

Plants with adaptations to reduce photorespiration, efficient in hot climates.

What is the difference between solute and solvent in a solution?

Solute: dissolved substance; Solvent: substance that does the dissolving.

What is the source of oxygen produced in photosynthesis?

From the splitting of water in light reactions.

In what environment are CAM plants most successful?

Hot, dry environments (deserts).

What are plant cell walls made of?

Cellulose.

What does ATP mean?

Adenosine triphosphate, energy currency.