Biology Review Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes covering basic biological principles, the chemical basis for life, and enzymes.

List the eight characteristics that all living things share.

Made of cells, reproduce, based on universal genetic code, evolve, grow and develop, require energy, respond to stimuli, maintain internal balance.

Which characteristic is shared by all prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Ability to store hereditary information

Which of the following is essential to proper functioning of all prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms?

ATP

Name the characteristics of Prokaryotic cells

Have a cell wall, Lack a nucleus, Smaller, Less complex, Lack organelles, May be unicellular

Name the characteristics of Eukaryotic cells

Have a nucleus, Membranes, Larger, More complex, Have organelles

Name the characteristics shared by both Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells

Have cytoplasm, DNA, Both are living

Which statement best compares eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles, and prokaryotes do not.

Which two structures are common to both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Plasma membrane and cytoplasm

Place the following terms in order from least complex to most complex: Cells, Organ Systems, Organs, Tissues, Organisms.

Cells → Tissues → Organs → Organ Systems → Organisms

Which statement best describes how the structure of the alveoli allows the lungs to function properly?

They increase the surface area of the lungs, allowing efficient gas exchange.

Lungs and capillaries both have porous linings. Which function do these porous linings most likely serve in living organisms?

Gas exchange

A scientist observes a single-celled organism with several long, whip-like tails. Which function do the whip-like tails most likely perform for the organism?

Movement through an environment

What makes water polar?

The unequal sharing of electrons

Which statement best describes an effect of the low density of frozen water in a lake?

When water in a lake freezes, it floats, providing insulation for organisms below.

Which property of water is most responsible for plants being able to transport water from their roots to their leaves?

The attraction between molecules

What makes carbon unique as compared to other elements?

All living things are made up of chemicals based mostly on carbon.

How many valence electrons does a carbon atom have?

4

What kind of bond(s) do carbon atoms form?

Covalent

Which statement correctly describes how carbon's ability to form four bonds makes it uniquely suited to form macromolecules?

It forms large, complex, diverse molecules.

Which bonding pattern cannot be formed by carbon?

C=C=C

What polymer is made up of Monosaccharide (simple sugar) + monosaccharide (simple sugar)?

Polysaccharide

What polymer is made up of Fatty acids + glycerol?

Lipid

What polymer is made up of Amino acid + amino acid + amino acid…?

Polypeptide

What polymer is made up of Nucleotide + nucleotide + nucleotide…?

Nucleic Acid

What is the reaction called that forms a polymer from two monomers?

Dehydration synthesis

Which process best describes the assembly of proteins from amino acids?

Monomers are linked to form a polymer.

What is the function of Carbohydrates?

Provides quick energy

What is the function of Lipids?

Stores energy

What is the function of Proteins?

Helps fight disease, Moves substances in and out of cells, Controls the rate of reactions

What is the function of Nucleic Acids?

Stores and transmits genetic information

Which functional characteristic of proteins distinguishes them from carbohydrates?

Ability to catalyze biochemical reactions

Define catalyst.

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed during the process

Define activation energy.

The minimum amount of energy required to initiate a chemical reaction

Substance A is converted to substance B in a metabolic reaction. Which statement best describes the role of an enzyme during this reaction?

It speeds up the reaction without being consumed.

What does denature mean?

Loss of normal protein shape

A scientist observes that, when the pH of the environment surrounding an enzyme is changed, the rate the enzyme catalyzes a reaction greatly decreases. Which statement best describes how a change in pH can affect an enzyme?

A pH change can cause the enzyme to change its shape.