Bio MidTerm Review

Page 1: Scientific Method and Metric Conversions

1. Characteristics of Living Things

  • Possess order (complex organization)

  • Respond to stimuli (ability to react to changes in environment)

  • Reproduce (ability to produce new organisms)

  • Adaptation (ability to adjust to changes through evolution)

  • Grow and develop (changes in form over time)

  • Regulation (maintain homeostasis)

  • Energy processing (ability to convert energy for metabolism)

  • Evolutionary adaptation (change over generations)

2. Identifying Variables in a Scenario

  • Independent Variable: The variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment.

  • Dependent Variable: The variable that is measured or tested in an experiment.

  • Control: A standard for comparison in an experiment.

  • Constant: Conditions that are kept the same throughout the experiment.

3. Homeostasis

  • Definition: The process by which a living organism regulates its internal environment to maintain stable, constant conditions (e.g., body temperature, pH).

  • Example: Humans sweating to cool down during hot weather.

4. Definition of Biology

  • Biology: The scientific study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy.

5. Purpose of Science

  • To understand the natural world through observation, experimentation, and theoretical explanations.

6. Metric Conversions (Using the Ladder Method)

  • a. 480 cm = 4.8 m

  • b. 65 g = 65,000 mg

  • c. 5 L = 0.5 hL

7. Importance of Repeating Experiments

  • To verify results and ensure reliability; repetition minimizes the effects of anomalies and increases confidence in findings.

8. Publishing in Peer-Reviewed Journals

  • Allows for validation of research through critique by experts, ensuring that the study's methodology and conclusions are sound.

9. Advantages of the Metric System

  • Decimal-based, easier to convert between units, universally accepted, reduces confusion compared to the English system.


Page 2: Biochemistry

1. Water Molecule Illustration

  • Must draw water molecule (H2O), indicating:

    • Elements: Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O)

    • Charges: H (+), O (-)

    • Bond Type: Covalent bonds holding H and O together.

2. Defining Bonds and Polarity

  • a. Ionic Bond: Electrostatic attraction between charged ions.

  • b. Covalent Bond: Bond formed when atoms share electrons.

  • c. Polarity: Distribution of electrical charge over the atoms involved in the bond, leading to positive and negative poles.

3. Definitions and Examples

  • a. Adhesion: Attraction of water molecules to other substances (e.g., water on a leaf).

  • b. Cohesion: Attraction of water molecules to each other (e.g., water droplets).

  • c. Surface Tension: Resistance of the surface of a liquid to penetration (e.g., ability of a water strider to walk on water).

  • d. Heat Capacity: Quantity of heat needed to change the temperature (e.g., water’s high heat capacity).

  • e. Universal Solvent: Water dissolves most substances (e.g., salt in water).

4. Solute and Solvent

  • Solute: Substance dissolved in a solution (e.g., sugar in water).

  • Solvent: Substance that dissolves the solute (e.g., water).

5. Definition of a Solution

  • A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances (e.g., saline solution).

6. Subatomic Particles and Their Charges

  • a. Proton: Positively charged, located in the nucleus.

  • b. Neutron: Neutral charge, located in the nucleus.

  • c. Electron: Negatively charged, located in electron shells around nucleus.

7. Enzyme Function

  • Enzymes act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions in biological systems.

8. Composition of Enzymes

  • Enzymes are composed of proteins (macromolecules made of amino acids).

9. Macromolecule Chart

  • Carbohydrate: Monomer - Monosaccharide; Function - Energy storage; Example - Glucose; Elements - C, H, O.

  • Lipid: Monomer - Glycerol & fatty acids; Function - Long-term energy storage; Example - Oil; Elements - C, H, O.

  • Protein: Monomer - Amino acids; Function - Structure & function; Example - Hemoglobin; Elements - C, H, O, N.

  • Nucleic Acid: Monomer - Nucleotides; Function - Genetic information; Example - DNA/RNA; Elements - C, H, O, N, P.


Page 3: Acid/Base Concepts

11. Identification of Macromolecule

  • Identifying the macromolecule from an image provided (likely DNA, protein, etc.).

12. Solution Producing H+ Ions

  • This is an example of an acid.

13. Solution Producing OH- Ions

  • This is an example of a base.

14. Definition of Alkaline

  • Alkaline refers to substances with a pH greater than 7, indicating basic properties.

15. Substances with pH Above 7

  • Substances are called alkalis or bases.

16. Substances with pH Below 7

  • Substances are called acids.

17. Atoms with Different Neutrons

  • Atoms with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons are called isotopes.

18. pH Measurement

  • pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution.

19. Macromolecule with Peptide Bonds

  • Peptide bonds join proteins.

20. Finding Protons, Neutrons, & Electrons in Nitrogen

  • a. Protons: 7

  • b. Neutrons: 7 (atomic mass 14 - atomic number 7)

  • c. Electrons: 7 (same as protons in neutral atom).

21. Definition of Element

  • Element: A pure substance consisting of one type of atom that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

22. Metric Conversion Examples

  • Specific conversions using the metric conversion chart.


Page 4: Cells & Photosynthesis/Respiration

1. Three Parts of Cell Theory

  • All living things are made of cells.

  • Cells are the basic unit of life.

  • All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

2. Skin Cell in Hypertonic Solution

  • A skin cell placed in a hypertonic solution will shrink due to water leaving the cell.

3. Skin Cell in Hypotonic Solution

  • A skin cell placed in a hypotonic solution will swell or burst due to water entering the cell.

4. Definition of Diffusion

  • Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration (e.g., perfume spreading in a room).

5. Definition of Osmosis

  • Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

6. Venn Diagram for Plant and Animal Cells

  • Differences:

    1. Plant cells have cell walls; animal cells do not.

    2. Plant cells have chloroplasts for photosynthesis; animal cells do not.

    3. Plant cells tend to be larger than animal cells.

  • Similarities:

    1. Both have cell membranes.

    2. Both contain organelles.

    3. Both undergo cellular respiration.

7. Is a Virus Living?

  • A virus is not considered living because it cannot replicate without a host cell.

8. Robert Hooke’s Contribution

  • Robert Hooke discovered cells by observing cork under a microscope, coining the term "cell".

9. Active vs Passive Transport

  • Diffusion is classified as passive transport (does not require energy).

10. Difference between Active and Passive Transport

  • Active Transport: Movement of molecules against the concentration gradient, requiring energy.

  • Passive Transport: Movement along the concentration gradient, does not require energy.

11. Functions of Cellular Organelles

  • a. Cell Membrane: Protective barrier, regulates what enters/exits the cell.

  • b. Ribosome: Protein synthesis.

  • c. Nucleus: Holds genetic material (DNA); control center of the cell.

  • d. Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.

  • e. Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, produces ATP.

  • f. Lysosome: Contains digestive enzymes for breaking down waste.

  • g. Vacuole: Storage of substances.

  • h. Nucleolus: Produces ribosome components.

  • i. Chloroplast: Site of photosynthesis in plant cells.


Page 5: Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

12. Definition of Autotroph

  • Autotrophs are organisms that produce their own food from sunlight (e.g., plants).

13. Definition of Heterotroph

  • Heterotrophs are organisms that obtain food by consuming other organisms (e.g., animals).

14. Photosynthesis Formula

  • Formula: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6 O2

  • Reactants: Carbon dioxide and water.

15. Cellular Respiration Formula

  • Formula: C6H12O6 + 6 O2 -> 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + ATP.

16. Reactants for Photosynthesis

  • Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

17. Reactants for Cellular Respiration

  • Glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2).

18. Composition of ATP

  • ATP is made of adenosine (adenine + ribose) and three phosphate groups.

19. Definition of Prokaryote

  • Prokaryotes are unicellular organisms without a nucleus (e.g., bacteria).

20. Definition of Eukaryote

  • Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells have nuclei (e.g., plants, animals, fungi).

21. Relationship Between Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

  • Products of photosynthesis serve as reactants for cellular respiration, showing a cycle of energy flow.

22. ATP Production in Cellular Respiration

  • Cellular respiration produces approximately 36-38 ATP molecules per glucose molecule.

23. Scientists Behind Cell Theory

  • Scientists like Schleiden, Schwann, and Virchow contributed to the development of the cell theory.


Page 6: Cell Division

1. Identifying Phases of Mitosis

  • Know the phases of mitosis: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.

2. Identifying Cellular Structures in Mitosis

  • a. Centriole: Involved in cell division.

  • b. Spindle Fiber: Help separate chromosomes.

  • c. Chromosome: Carries genetic information.

  • d. Chromatin: Uncoiled DNA.

  • e. Chromatid: Each half of chromosome during mitosis.

  • f. Centromere: Region where chromatids are joined.

  • g. Daughter Cells: Resulting cells after mitosis.

3. Cells Undergoing Mitosis

  • Somatic (body) cells undergo mitosis.

4. Purpose of Cell Division

  • For growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues.

5. Cells Produced in Mitosis

  • Two identical daughter cells are produced at the end of mitosis.

6. Cells Undergoing Meiosis

  • Germ cells undergo meiosis.

7. Cells Produced in Meiosis

  • Four non-identical daughter cells are produced at the end of meiosis.

8. Phases of Mitosis in Order

  • Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.

9. Longest Phase of Cell Cycle

  • Interphase is the longest phase of the cell cycle.

10. Phase of DNA Replication

  • DNA replicates during the S phase of interphase.

11. Labeling a Chromosome

  • Be able to draw and label chromosome structures including a centromere and chromatids.

12. Definition of Crossing Over

  • Crossing over: The process during prophase I of meiosis where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material, increasing genetic diversity.


Page 7: Genetics

1. Another Word for Homozygous

  • Homozygous: Purebred (having identical alleles for a trait).

2. Another Word for Heterozygous

  • Heterozygous: Hybrid (having different alleles for a trait).

3. Offspring Genetics in Bunnies

  • If a homozygous fluffy tail (FF) is mated with a rough tail (ff), 100% of the baby bunnies will have a fluffy tail (all will be Ff).