Quiz 1: Biology

atom

smallest and most fundamental unit of matter that retains the properties of an element

biochemistry

study of the chemistry of biological organisms

biology

the study of life

biosphere

collection of all the ecosystems on Earth

cell

smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living things

community

set of populations inhabiting a particular area

control

part of an experiment that does not change during the experiment

deductive reasoning

form of logical thinking that uses a general inclusive statement to predict specific results

ecosystem

all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, nonliving parts of that environment

eukaryote

organisms with cells that have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles

evolution

the process of gradual change in a population or species over time

falsifiable

able to be disproven by experimental results

homeostasis

ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions

hypothesis

suggested explanation for an observation, which one can test

inductive reasoning

form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion

macromolecule

large molecule, typically formed by the joining of smaller molecules

molecule

chemical structure consisting of at least 2 atoms held together by one or more chemical bonds

natural science

field of science that is related to the physical world and its phenomena and processes

organ

collection of related tissues grouped together performing a common function

organ system

level of organization that consists of functionally related interacting organs

organelle

small structures that exist within cells and carry out cellular functions

organism

individual living entity

peer-reviewed manuscript

scientific paper that a scientist’s colleagues review who are experts in the field of study

phylogenetic tree

diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in genetic or physical traits or both; in essence, a hypothesis concerning evolutionary connections

population

all of the individuals of a species living within a specific area

prokaryote

single-celled organism that lacks organelles and does not have nuclei surrounded by a nuclear membrane

science

knowledge that covers general truths or the operation of general laws, especially when acquired and tested by the scientific method

scientific method

method of research with defined steps

steps of the scientific method

observation

formulation of a hypothesis

testing

and confirming or falsifying the hypothesis

serendipity

fortunate accident or a lucky surprise

theory

tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena

tissue

group of similar cells carrying out related functions

adhesion

attraction between water molecules and other molecules

base

molecule that donates hydroxide ions or otherwise binds excess hydrogen ions and decreases the hydrogen ions' concentration in a solution

buffer

substance that resists a change in pH by absorbing or releasing hydrogen or hydroxide ions

calorie

amount of heat required to change the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius

capillary action

occurs because water molecules are attracted to charges on the inner surfaces of narrow tubular structures such as glass tubes, drawing the water molecules to the tubes' sides

chemical bond

interaction between two or more of the same or different atoms that results in forming molecules

chemical reaction

process leading to rearranging atoms in molecules

cohesion

intermolecular forces between water molecules caused by the polar nature of water; responsible for surface tension

compound

substance composed of molecules consisting of atoms of at least two different elements

covalent bond

type of strong bond formed between two atoms of the same or different elements; forms when electrons are shared between atoms

electron

negatively charged subatomic particle that resides outside of the nucleus in the electron orbital; lacks functional mass and has a negative charge of –1 unit

hydrogen atoms

element

one of 118 unique substances that cannot break down into smaller substances; each element has unique properties and a specified number of protons

evaporation

change from liquid to gaseous state at a body of water's surface, plant leaves, or an organism's skin

heat of vaporization of water

high amount of energy required for liquid water to turn into water vapor

hydrocarbon

molecule that consists only of carbon and hydrogen

hydrogen bond

weak bond between slightly positively charged hydrogen atoms and slightly negatively charged atoms in other molecules

hydrophilic

describes ions or polar molecules that interact well with other polar molecules such as water

hydrophobic

describes uncharged nonpolar molecules that do not interact well with polar molecules such as water

ion

atom or chemical group that does not contain equal numbers of protons and electrons

matter

anything that has mass and occupies space

molecule

2 or more atoms chemically bonded together

neutron

uncharged particle that resides in an atom’s nucleus: has a mass of one amu

non polar covalent bond

type of covalent bond that forms between atoms when electrons are shared equally between them

nucleus

core of an atom; contains protons and neutrons

organic molecule

any molecule containing carbon (except carbon dioxide)

polar covalent bond

type of covalent bond that forms as a result of unequal electron sharing, resulting in creating slightly positive and negative charged molecule regions

product

molecule that is result of chemical reaction

proton

positively charged particle that resides in the atom's nucleus; has a mass of one amu and a charge of +1

reactant

molecule that takes part in a chemical reactions

solvent

substance capable of dissolving another substance

surface tension

tension at the surface of a body of liquid that prevents the molecules from separating; created by the attractive cohesive forces between the liquid's molecules

amino acid

a protein’s monomer

biological macromolecule

 

large molecule necessary for life that is built from smaller organic molecules

carbohydrate

biological macromolecule in which the ratio of carbon to hydrogen and to oxygen is 1:2:1; carbohydrates serve as energy sources and structural support in cells and form arthropods' cellular exoskeleton

cellulose

polysaccharide that comprises the plants' cell wall; provides structural support to the cell

chitin

type of carbohydrate that forms the outer skeleton of all arthropods that include crustaceans and insects; it also forms fungi cell walls

denaturation

loss of shape in a protein as a result of changes in temperature, pH, or chemical exposure

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

double-helical molecule that carries the cell's hereditary information

disaccharide

two sugar monomers that a glycosidic bond links

monomer

smallest unit of larger molecules that are polymers

enzyme

catalyst in a biochemical reaction that is usually a complex or conjugated protein

hydrolysis

reaction that causes breakdown of larger molecules into smaller molecules by utilizing water

lipid

macromolecule that is nonpolar and insoluble in water

monosaccharide

single unit or monomer of carbohydrates

nucleic acid

biological macromolecule that carries the cell's genetic blueprint and carries instructions for the cell's functioning

nucleotide

monomer of nucleic acids; contains a pentose sugar, one or more phosphate groups, and a nitrogenous base

peptide bond

bond formed between two amino acids

phospholipid

membranes' major constituent; comprised of two fatty acids and a phosphate-containing group attached to a glycerol backbone

polysaccharide

long chain of monosaccharides; may be branched or unbranched

protein

biological macromolecule comprised of one or more amino acid chains

ribonucleic acid (RNA)

single-stranded, often internally base paired, molecule that is involved in protein synthesis

saturated fatty acid

long-chain hydrocarbon with single covalent bonds in the carbon chain; the number of hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon skeleton is maximized

trans fat

fat formed artificially by hydrogenating oils, leading to a different arrangement of double bond(s) than those in naturally occurring lipids

unsaturated fatty acid

long-chain hydrocarbon that has one or more double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain

wax

lipid comprised of a long-chain fatty acid that is esterified to a long-chain alcohol; serves as a protective coating on some feathers, aquatic mammal fur, and leaves

properties of life

order

sensitivity or response to stimuli

reproduction

growth and development

regulation and homeostasis

energy processing/metabolism

levels of organization in life

atoms

molecules

macromolecules

organelles

cells

tissues

organs and organ systems

organisms, populations, and communities

ecosystems

biosphere

concept of a theory in science

a theory in science is a well-substantiated explanation for a natural phenomenon, based on a collection of evidence, experiments, and observations. theories provide a framework to understand and predict how things work in the natural world. they are constantly tested and refined to ensure accuracy

applied vs basic science

applied science focuses on practical application of scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems, while basic science seeks to expand knowledge and understanding of fundamental scientific principles without immediate practical application

peer review process

process where experts in the same field evaluate and provide feedback on a research paper before it gets published. helps ensure quality, accuracy, and validity of the study. Improves the paper by identifying flaws, suggesting improvements, and checking for adherence to ethical guidelines. esssential for maintaining scientific rigor and credibility.

structure of an atom

the arrangement of protons, neutrons, and electrons within an atom, determining its properties and behavior. protons and neutrons reside in the nucleus, while electrons orbit in energy levels around the nucleus. electrons in the outermost level are involved in chemical reactions and bonding.

most common elements in living organisms

carbon

oxygen

hydrogen

nitrogen

why is water important for life?

Flashcard: "Water's Importance for Life"

* Essential for survival of all living organisms
* Facilitates biochemical reactions in cells
* Maintains body temperature and regulates heat
* Provides a medium for nutrient transport in the body
* Lubricates joints and cushions organs
* Helps remove waste products through urination
* Supports digestion and absorption of nutrients
* Enables photosynthesis in plants
* Sustains ecosystems and biodiversity

basics of carbon (organic chemistry)

carbon is the fundamental building block of organic compounds, which are essential for life. it can form single, double, or triple bonds, creating a diverse range of molecules with unique properties.

four classes of macromolecules, their monomers and their basic functions

1. nucleic acids (stores and transfers info), monomer: nucleotides
2. carbohydrates (Store energy, provide fuel, and build structure in body, main source of energy, structure of plant cell wall), monomer: monosaccharides
3. proteins (provide structural support, transport, enzymes, movement, defense), monomer: amino acids
4. lipids (insulator and stores fat and energy), monomer: glycerol and fatty acids

types of molecules

1. Carbohydrates: Organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; serve as a primary source of energy in living organisms.
2. __**Proteins: Complex macromolecules composed of amino acids; essential for cell structure, function, and regulation.**__
3. __**Lipids: Hydrophobic molecules that include fats, oils, and waxes; store energy and provide insulation and protection.**__
4. Nucleic Acids: Biomolecules that carry genetic information in the form of DNA and RNA; involved in protein synthesis and heredity.
5. Enzymes: Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells; highly specific and vital for metabolic processes.

central dogma of life (of molecular biology)

the central dogma of molecular biology describes the flow of genetic information. it states that __**DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into proteins.**__ this process is fundamental to the functioning of all living organisms.

prokaryotic cells

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* Simple, single-celled organisms
* Lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
* DNA is located in the cytoplasm
* Examples include bacteria and archaea