Comprehensive Biology Review: Cells, Molecules, and Chemistry BIO 110

Mass, charge, and location of electrons, protons, neutrons?

Electron: negligible mass, -1 charge, shells | Proton: 1 amu, +1, nucleus | Neutron: 1 amu, 0, nucleus

Define atomic number.

Number of protons in the nucleus; identifies the element.

Define mass number.

Protons + neutrons in nucleus.

Define isotope.

Same element, different number of neutrons.

Define radioisotope.

Unstable isotope that emits radiation.

Define electron shell.

Region around nucleus where electrons with similar energy levels are found.

What are valence electrons and why are they important?

Electrons in outer shell; determine chemical properties.

Covalent vs ionic vs hydrogen bonds?

Covalent = share electrons (polar/nonpolar). Ionic = electron transfer. Hydrogen = weak attraction between H and electronegative atom.

Oxidation vs reduction?

Oxidation = loss of e⁻ | Reduction = gain of e⁻

Why is carbon special?

Forms 4 covalent bonds → diverse complex molecules.

Define functional group.

Specific atom group that gives a molecule its properties/reactivity.

Main macromolecules + monomers?

Carbs → monosaccharides | Lipids → glycerol + fatty acids | Proteins → amino acids | Nucleic acids → nucleotides

Define isomer.

Same formula, different structure.

Glycosidic linkage?

Covalent bond joining two monosaccharides.

Amphipathic?

Molecule with hydrophobic + hydrophilic regions.

Levels of protein structure?

Primary → Secondary → Tertiary → Quaternary

What is ATP?

Energy currency of the cell (adenosine triphosphate).

3 parts of cell theory?

All living things are made of cells, cells = basic unit, cells come from preexisting cells.

Why are cells small?

SA:V ratio must be high for efficient exchange.

Prokaryotes vs eukaryotes?

Prokaryotes = no nucleus/organelles, smaller | Eukaryotes = nucleus, organelles, larger

Plant vs animal cells?

Plant: wall, chloroplasts, big vacuole | Animal: no wall/chloroplasts, small vacuoles.

Nucleus function?

Stores DNA, controls cell.

Ribosomes function?

Protein synthesis.

ER function?

Rough = protein synthesis, Smooth = lipid synthesis.

Golgi function?

Modify/package proteins.

Lysosome function?

Digest waste (autophagy).

Mitochondria vs chloroplast?

Mito = ATP (cellular respiration) | Chloroplast = photosynthesis.

Cytoskeleton?

Structure, movement, transport.

Fluid mosaic model?

Flexible lipid bilayer with moving proteins.

Selectively permeable membrane?

Controls what enters/exits via bilayer + proteins.

Diffusion vs facilitated vs active transport?

Diffusion: passive, no protein | Facilitated: passive, uses protein | Active: needs energy, against gradient.

Osmosis definition?

Diffusion of water across membrane.

Cell in isotonic solution?

No net water movement.

Cell in hypotonic solution?

Gains water, swells (may burst).

Cell in hypertonic solution?

Loses water, shrinks.