Principles of Biology I Practice Test Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key biological concepts including organelles, cell processes, macromolecules, and scientific methodology based on the Principles of Biology I practice test.

Mitochondrion

The organelle primarily responsible for producing ATP in eukaryotic cells and which contains its own DNA.

RNA polymerase

The enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during the process of transcription.

Golgi apparatus

An organelle responsible for the modification and packaging of proteins into vesicles.

Cell membrane

The structure that regulates what enters and leaves the cell; its main macromolecule component is phospholipids.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up reactions by decreasing activation energy; they are sensitive to both $pH$ and temperature.

Glycolysis

The stage of cellular respiration that occurs in the cytoplasm.

Crossing over

A process that occurs during Prophase I of meiosis.

Osmosis

The movement of water from a low solute concentration to a high solute concentration.

Semiconservative replication

The method of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule consists of one old strand and one new strand.

Ribosome

The site where translation occurs and where protein synthesis takes place.

Stable atom

An atom that possesses a full valence shell.

Amino acids

The monomers that make up proteins.

Hydrogen bonds

The specific type of bond that holds two strands of DNA together and is a property of water important for life.

Mitosis

A process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells and two identical nuclei.

Lysosome

A cell organelle that contains digestive enzymes.

Chloroplasts

Organelles found in plant cells but not animal cells that serve as the site of photosynthesis and contain the stroma.

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment.

S phase

The specific phase in the cell cycle during which DNA replication occurs.

ATP

The primary energy currency of the cell produced during cellular respiration.

Starch

A type of carbohydrate classified as a polysaccharide.

Smooth ER

The organelle responsible for lipid synthesis and the detoxification of drugs and alcohol.

Meiosis

The process of cell division that produces gametes.

Peptide bond

The specific type of bond that forms between amino acids.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration without using energy.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis characterized by the separation of chromosomes.

Hypotonic

A solution that has a lower solute concentration than the cell placed within it.

Fatty acid tails

The specific part of a phospholipid molecule that is hydrophobic.

Cell theory

A theory stating that all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and cells come from preexisting cells.

Cytoskeleton

A cell structure that provides structural support.

tRNA

The molecule responsible for carrying amino acids to the ribosome.

DNA

The molecule that stores genetic information.

Active transport

A cellular process that requires energy to move substances.

Cell

The simplest level of biological organization compared to tissues, organs, or organ systems.

Acidic

The classification of a substance with a $pH$ of $2$.

Meiosis I

The stage of meiosis with the primary purpose of separating homologous chromosomes.

Scientific method

The process following the order: Observation $\rightarrow$ Hypothesis $\rightarrow$ Experiment $\rightarrow$ Conclusion.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation within the scientific method.

Control group

The group in an experiment used to provide a baseline for comparison.