BIOL 207 - Exam 1 Topics Flashcards

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards drawn from the BIOL 207 Exam 1 Topic List, covering chapters 01–06 concepts and terminology.

What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?

Anatomy studies structure; physiology studies function.

What is the hierarchy of body systems?

Cells → Tissues → Organs → Organ systems (with chemical/molecular levels preceding).

What is homeostasis?

Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite external changes.

What is a negative feedback loop?

A mechanism that counteracts a change and returns the system toward a set point.

What is a positive feedback loop?

A mechanism that amplifies a stimulus and moves the system away from the set point.

What are the general pathway and components of feedback loops?

Stimulus → receptor → control center → effector → response.

Give an example of a negative feedback loop.

Body temperature regulation (e.g., sweating or shivering to return to setpoint).

Give an example of a positive feedback loop.

Childbirth: uterine contractions intensify until delivery.

What are the types of signals and signaling pathways?

Autocrine, paracrine, endocrine, and neural signaling (local vs long-distance).

What is Cell Theory?

All living things are composed of cells; cells arise from pre-existing cells; cells are the basic units of structure and function.

What are the major tissue types and their general functions?

Epithelial (lining), Connective (support), Muscle (movement), Nervous (control).

What is the functional classification and significance of glands?

Glands are endocrine (hormones into blood) or exocrine (secretions onto surfaces); signaling and homeostasis implications.

What are the subatomic particles in the atom?

Protons and neutrons in the nucleus; electrons around the nucleus in electron shells.

What are the main types of chemical bonds?

Ionic, covalent (polar and nonpolar), and hydrogen bonds.

How are chemical bonds related to energy?

Bond formation releases energy; breaking bonds requires energy; energy is stored in bonds.

How do you interpret pH values?

pH measures acidity/basicity; below 7 acidic, above 7 basic; scale is logarithmic; normal physiological pH ~7.35–7.45.

What mechanisms regulate pH in the body?

Buffers (e.g., bicarbonate), respiratory regulation, and renal (kidney) regulation.

What is the association of pH and glucose metabolism?

Enzyme activity and metabolic flux are pH-dependent; pH can influence glycolysis and glucose utilization.

What are the major biomolecule classes and their physiological significance?

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids; roles in energy, structure, signaling, and genetic information.

Name a few organelles and their primary functions.

Nucleus (DNA storage/transcription), Mitochondria (ATP production), Ribosomes (protein synthesis).

What is the structure and function of the plasma membrane?

Phospholipid bilayer with proteins; selective permeability; fluid mosaic model.

What are vesicular transport processes and their types?

Exocytosis (bulk export), Endocytosis (uptake), Pinocytosis (cell drinking); (phagocytosis not listed).

What are the major phases of the cell cycle?

Interphase (growth/duplication), Mitosis (nuclear division), Cytokinesis (cytoplasm division).

What are the major events of Interphase, Mitosis, Cytokinesis and their enzymes/products?

Interphase: DNA replication; Mitosis: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase (enzymes: various kinases); Cytokinesis: cytoplasmic division.

What are protein catalysts and enzyme function?

Enzymes are protein catalysts that accelerate reactions by lowering activation energy and are highly specific.

What factors cause enzyme denaturation?

Extreme temperatures, pH changes, high salt, or chemicals that disrupt structure.

What are exergonic vs. endergonic reactions?

Exergonic release energy; Endergonic require energy input.

What are redox reactions and their relevance?

Oxidation-reduction reactions involve electron transfer; carriers like NAD+/NADH and FAD/FADH2 shuttle energy.

What are the major steps and outputs of aerobic respiration?

Glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation (intermediate step), Krebs cycle, Electron Transport Chain; outputs include ATP, NADH, FADH2, CO2, H2O.

What are the reactants and purpose of aerobic respiration?

Reactants: glucose and O2; Purpose: produce ATP and reducing equivalents for cellular work.

What is anaerobic respiration and its association with the Cori cycle?

Glycolysis without O2 yields lactate (humans); regenerates NAD+ for glycolysis; lactate can be converted to glucose in liver via the Cori cycle.

What is the significance of glucose-6-phosphate, pyruvate, and acetyl-CoA in energy metabolism?

Glucose-6-phosphate channels glucose into glycolysis or glycogen synthesis; Pyruvate becomes acetyl-CoA for the Krebs cycle.

What is the significance of glucose, glycogen, lactate, and lipid as energy sources?

Glucose fuels immediate energy; glycogen stores glucose; lactate can be recycled; lipids provide high-energy reserves via beta-oxidation.

What is beta-oxidation and its significance?

Catabolic breakdown of fatty acids to acetyl-CoA; links to glucose metabolism and diabetes risk; provides substantial ATP.

What are the major events and organelles involved in protein synthesis?

Transcription (nucleus) and RNA processing; Translation (cytoplasm) at ribosomes; organelles: nucleus, rough ER, ribosomes, Golgi.

What is the role of RNA in protein synthesis?

mRNA carries genetic code; tRNA brings amino acids; rRNA forms the ribosome.

What are the key aspects of transcription?

Reactants: DNA; products: mRNA; location: nucleus; enzyme: RNA polymerase; steps: initiation, elongation, termination.

What are the key aspects of translation?

Reactants: mRNA, tRNA, ribosome; products: polypeptide; location: cytoplasm; enzyme/ribozyme; steps: initiation, elongation, termination.

What are the steps of DNA synthesis?

Reactants: dNTPs and templates; products: two identical DNA molecules; location: nucleus; enzyme: DNA polymerase; steps: initiation, elongation, termination.

What are plasma membrane permeability patterns?

Selective permeability based on molecule size, charge, and polarity; governed by bilayer properties and transport proteins.

What is carrier vs non-carrier mediated transport?

Carrier-mediated uses transport proteins (saturation, specificity); non-carrier uses channels or simple diffusion.

What is active vs passive transport?

Active transport requires energy (ATP or gradients); Passive transport relies on diffusion or facilitated diffusion without direct energy use.

How do you interpret membrane transport diagrams?

Identify direction of movement, transport mode (diffusion, osmosis, channels, or vesicles), and relative gradients.

What are concentration gradients and their significance?

Differences in concentration across membranes; drive diffusion/osmosis and help maintain homeostasis.

How are concentration gradients maintained?

Maintained by pumps and channels using energy to actively transport substances.

What are consequences of unregulated transport?

Imbalances in ions and solutes, cell swelling or shrinkage, disrupted homeostasis.