Midterm+Review+Sheet_SP24

Midterm Review Sheet – BSC2010L

This review sheet serves as a comprehensive guide for reviewing concepts and equipment covered in the BSC2010L lab course. Remember, it is not exhaustive, and students are responsible for mastering all material presented throughout the semester.

Syllabus Review and Introductory Material

• Review all details covered in the syllabus and the introductory course PowerPoint.

Literature Review

• Finding and Appropriating Articles: Understand the process for locating scientific articles and how to use them appropriately.

• Analyzing and Synthesizing Information: Be adept at extracting relevant information from scientific literature.

Lab 1: Scientific Method and Laboratory Techniques

• Measuring Tools: Gain proficiency in using and reading laboratory measuring instruments:

  • Serological pipettes

  • Micropipettes

  • Graduated cylinders

• Spectrophotometer: Understand its function (measures light absorbance) and how to utilize it.

• Absorption Spectrum: Know how to plot absorption spectra to determine a substance's value.

• Standard Curve: Comprehend how standard curves help in deducing the concentration of unknown substances.

• Scientific Method: Familiarize yourself with the scientific method components:

  • Hypothesis: Understand the necessity for hypotheses to be falsifiable.

  • Control: Know what a control is in experiments.

  • Variables: Distinguish between independent and dependent variables.

Labs 2 and 3: Microscope Investigations

• Microscope Parts: Identify and understand the functions of various microscope components.

• Key Terms: Learn definitions and modulation of:

  • Magnification

  • Resolution

  • Contrast

  • Depth of field

  • Index of refraction

• Microscope Techniques: Be proficient with techniques such as:

  • Preparing wet mounts

  • Using immersion oil

  • Focusing microscopes

• Calculations: Know how to:

  • Calculate total magnification

  • Calculate the diameter of the field of view

  • Estimate cell size based on magnification and field diameter.

• Metric Conversions: Be able to interconvert:

  • Meters, millimeters (mm), micrometers (μm)

  • Liters, milliliters (ml), microliters (μl)

• Cell Types: Summarize differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, categorizing observed organisms based on characteristics (e.g., photosynthetic, non-photosynthetic).

• Organism Description: Describe organisms regarding size, shape, and living environments.

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• Cell Size Limitation: Explain how the surface area-to-volume ratio restricts cell size and mechanisms larger cells, particularly in plants, use for survival.

• Endosymbiont Theory: Describe the theory regarding the origin of certain eukaryotic organelles and cite supporting evidence.

Lab 4: Diffusion and Osmosis

• Diffusion: Define diffusion, concentrating on:

  • Diffusion down a concentration gradient

  • Dynamic equilibrium

  • Effects of temperature on diffusion rate.

• Osmosis: Explain osmosis and the significance of hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic environments on:

  • Plant cells

  • Animal cells

• Cell Adaptations: Discuss how different cell types (animal cells, plant cells, protists, bacteria) adapt to osmotic changes.

• Osmometer Use: Understand how an osmometer can assess solute concentrations in solutions.

• Inquiry-based Activity: Describe observed changes in potato specimens when exposed to various solute concentrations.

Lab 5: Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

• Key Equations: Write and understand the equations for:

  • Aerobic cellular respiration

  • Alcohol fermentation

• Carbohydrates: Differentiate between:

  • Monosaccharides

  • Disaccharides

  • Polysaccharides

• Alcohol Fermentation Measurement: Know the method of measuring alcohol fermentation in the lab and how to interpret data from fermentation tubes.

• Cellular Respiration and Blood pH: Understand the impact of cellular respiration on blood pH levels and the functioning of the bicarbonate buffer system.