Exam 1 Whiteboards

Learning Objectives Overview

  • LO1: Discipline-based educational research and cognitive science

  • LO2: Principles of graph reading

  • LO3: Actions that enhance and impair student performance

  • LO4: Tools and resources

Scientific Method (LO2)

  • Stages:

    • Observation

    • Question

    • Hypothesis

    • Prediction

    • Experiment

    • Result

Characteristics Defining Life (LO1)

  • Key Attributes:

    • Homeostasis

    • Energy acquisition and metabolism

    • Reproduction

    • Evolution

    • Response to stimuli

    • Cellular structure (order)

Differences Between Theory and Hypothesis (LO4)

  • Theory: Well-substantiated explanation for an observable phenomenon.

  • Hypothesis: Tentative, testable explanation for a question/observation.

Biological Domains (LO3)

  • Three Domains: Overview and relationships represented on a phylogenetic tree.

    • Bacteria

    • Archaea

    • Eukarya

Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection (LO5)

  • Core Concepts:

    • Variability in population traits.

    • Heritable traits.

    • Variable survival and reproduction success.

    • Fitness: Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive or reproduce.

Basic Chemistry (Page 3)

  • Matter and Elements (LO1):

    • Composed of protons, neutrons, electrons.

    • Elements: Unique forms of matter with specific properties.

  • Chemical Bonds (LO2):

    • Covalent Bonds: Sharing of electrons.

    • Ionic Bonds: Transfer of electrons.

    • Polar vs Nonpolar Covalent Bonds.

  • Carbon Properties (LO4):

    • Key for biological molecules: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, nucleic acids.

    • Forms covalent bonds up to four atoms.

Water's Unique Properties (Page 4)

  • Hydrogen Bonding: Results in unique solvent properties and cohesion/adhesion.

  • pH Scale Importance:

    • Logarithmic scale for H+ concentration; 7 = neutral, below 7 = acidic, above 7 = alkaline.

  • Buffers: Resist pH changes by neutralizing acids or bases.

Carbohydrates Overview (Page 5)

  • Polymer Synthesis (LO1):

    • Dehydration reaction to form polymers; hydrolysis to break them down.

  • Structure & Functions (LO2, LO3):

    • Monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds; types: alpha (coiled) vs beta (sheets).

    • Major roles: energy storage (starch, glycogen), structural (cellulose).

Nucleic Acids Overview (Page 6)

  • Nucleotide Structure (LO2):

    • 5-carbon sugar, phosphate group, nitrogenous base.

    • Sugar: ribose in RNA, deoxyribose in DNA.

  • Phosphodiester Bonds: Join nucleotides, forming a sugar-phosphate backbone.

  • DNA Structure: Antiparallel double strands with base pairing (A-T, C-G).

Proteins Overview (Page 7)

  • Functions (LO1): Diverse roles in cellular activities.

  • Protein Structure Levels (LO4): Must be folded correctly; folding aided by chaperones.

  • Amino Acid Composition (LO2): Determined by R-groups; peptide bonds form through dehydration.

Lipids Overview (Page 8)

  • Structure and Function (LO1):

    • Includes triglycerides and phospholipids.

  • Fatty Acids: Saturated (solid, no double bonds) vs unsaturated (liquid, double bonds).

  • Nonpolarity: Lipids are hydrophobic and not polymers.

Membrane Transport Basics (Page 9)

  • Phospholipid Structure: Facilitates bilayer formation.

  • Osmosis: Movement of water across membranes to achieve equilibrium.

  • Permeability: Dependent on fatty acid composition and cholesterol presence.

Membrane Transport Mechanisms (Page 10)

  • Transport Types:

    • Passive (no energy): diffusion along concentration gradients; facilitated by transport proteins.

    • Active (requires energy): moving substances against gradients (e.g., Na+-K+ pump).

    • Bulk transport mechanisms: endocytosis and exocytosis for larger substances.