bio 101

🔬 Scientific Method & Experimental Design

1. What are the steps of the scientific method?
   – Observation, Question, Hypothesis, Prediction, Experiment/Test, Data Collection, Conclusion, Peer Review

2. What is an independent variable?
   – The variable that is changed in the experiment

3. What is a dependent variable?
   – The variable that is measured or observed

4. What is a controlled variable?
   – A factor kept constant throughout the experiment

5. What is a control group?
   – A group used for comparison that doesn’t receive the experimental treatment

🌱 Darwin & Evolution

6. What is natural selection?
   – Individuals with favorable traits survive and reproduce more successfully

7. What does “variation” mean in evolution?
   – Differences in traits among individuals of a population

8. What is “descent with modification”?
   – Offspring inherit traits that may change over time

9. Who influenced Darwin’s idea of competition for resources?
   – Thomas Malthus

10. What’s the difference between Darwin’s and Gould’s views of evolution?
    – Darwin: gradual change; Gould: rapid bursts followed by stability (punctuated equilibrium)

💧 Water Properties

11. What is cohesion in water?
    – Water molecules stick to each other

12. What is adhesion in water?
    – Water molecules stick to other substances

13. Why does water have high heat capacity?
    – It takes a lot of energy to change its temperature

14. Why does ice float on water?
    – Ice is less dense than liquid water

15. Why is water a good solvent?
    – It dissolves polar and charged (hydrophilic) substances

🧪 Acids, Bases, and pH

16. What is an acid in Bronsted-Lowry terms?
    – A substance that donates H⁺ ions

17. What is a base in Bronsted-Lowry terms?
    – A substance that accepts or attracts H⁺ ions

18. What is the pH of pure water?
    – pH 7 (neutral)

19. What is the formula to calculate pH?
    – pH = –log[H⁺]

🧬 Biomolecules

Carbohydrates

20. What is the monomer of carbohydrates?
    – Monosaccharides like glucose or fructose

21. What are the main functions of carbohydrates?
    – Quick energy, energy storage, structural support (cellulose), cell ID

22. What are examples of carbohydrate polymers?
    – Starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin

Lipids

23. What are the monomers of lipids?
    – Glycerol and fatty acids

24. What are the main functions of lipids?
    – Long-term energy storage, insulation, protection, membranes, hormones

25. What are examples of lipids?
    – Fats, oils, steroids, waxes, phospholipids

Proteins

26. What are the monomers of proteins?
    – Amino acids

27. What are the main functions of proteins?
    – Build/repair tissues, enzymes, transport, defense, hormones

28. What are the 4 levels of protein structure?
    – Primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary

29. What do molecular chaperones do?
    – Help proteins fold correctly

Nucleic Acids

30. What are the monomers of nucleic acids?
    – Nucleotides (sugar + phosphate + base)

31. What are the main functions of nucleic acids?
    – Store and transmit genetic information (DNA), protein synthesis (RNA)

32. What are examples of nucleic acids?
    – DNA and RNA

🧫 Cells

33. What are the three parts of the cell theory?
    – All living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, cells come from pre-existing cells

34. What are the 3 main parts of all cells?
    – Plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and DNA

35. What are two types of cells?
    – Prokaryotic and eukaryotic

🦠 Prokaryotic Cells

36. Do prokaryotic cells have a nucleus?
    – No, they have a nucleoid region instead

37. What structures do prokaryotic cells have?
    – Plasma membrane, ribosomes, cytoplasm, nucleoid, cell wall, capsule, flagella, pili

🧬 Eukaryotic Cells & Organelles

38. Do eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles?
    – Yes

39. What does the nucleus do?
    – Stores DNA and controls cell activities

40. What do ribosomes do?
    – Make proteins

41. What does the rough ER do?
    – Makes and processes proteins

42. What does the smooth ER do?
    – Makes lipids and detoxifies substances

43. What does the Golgi apparatus do?
    – Packages and ships proteins

44. What does the mitochondrion do?
    – Produces energy (ATP)

45. What does the lysosome do?
    – Breaks down waste and cell debris

46. What does the peroxisome do?
    – Breaks down fatty acids and toxins

47. What is the function of a vacuole?
    – Stores nutrients, waste, and water

48. What do chloroplasts do (in plant cells)?
    – Perform photosynthesis

49. What is the cytoskeleton?
    – A network of proteins that provides shape and helps movement

🧱 Cell Membrane & Support

50. What is the plasma membrane made of?
    – Phospholipid bilayer with proteins

51. What does “selectively permeable” mean?
    – Only certain substances can pass through

52. What is the cell wall?
    – A rigid layer that provides structure and protection (plants, fungi)

53. What is the extracellular matrix?
    – A support system outside of animal cells for structure and communication

54. What are the functions of carbohydrates?
    – Quick energy
    – Energy storage
    – Structural support (cellulose in plants)
    – Cell recognition and signaling

55. What are the functions of lipids?
    – Long-term energy storage
    – Make up cell membranes (phospholipids)
    – Hormone production (steroids)
    – Insulation and protection
    – Waterproof coatings (waxes)

56. What are the functions of proteins?
    – Build and repair tissues
    – Act as enzymes (speed up reactions)
    – Transport molecules (like hemoglobin)
    – Fight infections (antibodies)
    – Send signals (hormones like insulin)
    – Provide structure (muscle, hair, nails)

57. What are the functions of nucleic acids?
    – Store genetic information (DNA)
    – Help build proteins (RNA)
    – Transfer genetic material to offspring

🧫

Cell Organelles – Functions

58. What is the function of the nucleus?
    – Stores DNA and controls cell activities

59. What is the function of ribosomes?
    – Make proteins

60. What is the function of the rough ER?
    – Synthesizes and processes proteins

61. What is the function of the smooth ER?
    – Makes lipids and detoxifies harmful substances

62. What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?
    – Modifies, sorts, and ships proteins

63. What is the function of mitochondria?
    – Produces energy (ATP) through cellular respiration

64. What is the function of lysosomes?
    – Breaks down waste and damaged cell parts

65. What is the function of peroxisomes?
    – Breaks down fatty acids and detoxifies toxins

66. What is the function of vacuoles (in plant cells)?
    – Stores water, nutrients, and waste

67. What is the function of chloroplasts (in plant cells)?
    – Performs photosynthesis

68. What is the function of the cytoskeleton?
    – Provides cell structure and helps with movement

69. What is the function of the plasma membrane?
    – Controls what enters and exits the cell

70. What is the function of the cell wall?
    – Provides extra structure and protection

71. What is the function of the extracellular matrix (in animal cells)?
    – Supports the cell and helps it communicate with other cells