FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
The BIOLOGY 103 course covers the following areas of biology:
• Scientific Theory, Scientific Method and Concept of Control Group, Making Conclusions using Scientific Method
• Characteristics of Life
• Cell Theory
• Molecular and Cellular Organization
• Mendelian Genetics; Mutations
• Biological Evolution
• Ecosystems
You should review the following terms and concepts in these areas as you study for the final examination.
Disclaimer: This guide provides possible questions and concepts to study and review for the final. The questions listed below may not reflect the exact questions found on the final examination. Conversely, if a concept or question is found on this list, it does not necessarily mean that it will definitely be found on the final. This is a STUDY guide, not an exact listing of questions for the final examination.
Scientific Theory,Scientific Method and Concept of Control Group, Making Conclusions using Scientific Method
Understand that the term “mean” in science and math indicates the average of a set of numbers, measurements, or data points.
Be able to interpret a set of experimental data, determine whether the data proves or disproves the starting hypothesis of the experiment, and form conclusions based on the data.
Be able to identify the following aspects in an experiment:
· Independent variable
· Dependent variable
· Control group
· Test/experimental group
· Hypothesis
· Prediction
· Results
· Conclusion
Be able to distinguish between the following concepts:
· scientific method
· scientific model
· scientific result
· scientific theory
Characteristics of Life
List and describe the shared characteristics of living organisms.
Describe the various properties of water which make it important to the survival an evolution of life on earth.
· Cohesion
· Polarity
· Solute
· Temperature regulation
Describe the Linnaean classification scheme. List and properly order the levels of organization in the Linnaean classification scheme, including
• Kingdom (highest, most inclusive level)
• Phylum
• Class
• Orde
• Family
• Genus
• Species (lowest, most specific level)
Describe the relationship between the following items, including their hierarchical organization and function in an organism
· cells (lowest level of organization)
· tissues
· organs
· organ systems
· organism (highest level of organization)
Cell Theory
Describe the principles of the Cell Theory
· all living organisms are composed of one or more cells
· the cell is the smallest living unit (i.e. it is the smallest thing that is alive)
· all cells arise from pre-existing cells; the continuity of life results directly from the growth and division of single cells
Plasma Mem
ane/Cell Mem
ane
· Describe the structure of mem
anes, including:
·
· the lipid bilayer and the molecules that compose the bilaye
· the fluid mosaic model
· Describe the function of mem
anes, including the meaning of the term “selectively permeable” as applied to mem
anes.
Describe the function of each of the following parts of a cell:
· cell wall
· centrioles
· chlorophyll
· chloroplast
· chromosome
· cilia
· cytoskeleton
· cytoplasm
· endoplasmic reticulum
· flagella
· golgi apparatus
· lysosome
· mitochondria
· mitotic spindle
· nucleus
· nucleolus
· organelle
· phopholipid
· ribosome
· vacuole
Types of cells
· Describe the terms “eukaryotic” and “prokaryotic”.
· Explain the relationship between eukaryotic cells, animal cells, and plant cells
· Provide examples of eukaryotic, prokaryotic, animal, and plant cells
· Describe the major structural similarities and differences between bacterial cells, animal cells, and plant cells
· Explain the difference between gametes, germ cells, and somatic cells
Molecular and Cellular Organization
Explain the properties and function of each of the following items, as well as the hierarchical order and relationship between each of the following items:
· Electrons
· Neutrons
· Protons
· Subatomic particles
· Atoms
· Molecules
Molecules of Life
· Be able to list the four major “molecules of life” – proteins, lipids, ca
ohydrates, nucleic acids
· Be able to state the subunit from which each macromolecule is built:
·
· Proteins – built from amino acids subunits
·
· Peptides
· Polypeptides
· Ca
ohydrates – built from saccharide (sugars) subunits
·
· Monosaccharides
· Polysaccharides
· Lipids – built from fats & triglycerides subunits
· Nucleic acids (DNA & RNA) – built from nucleotide subunits
· Be able to describe the overall structure of each as a ca
on chain
Covalent Bond
· Describe the nature of covalent bonds
· Explain the general role of covalent bonds in molecules
· Explain the role of covalent bonds in proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and ca
ohydrates
Explain the meaning and role of each the following types of molecules in living organisms:
· ATP
· Lipid bilaye
· Monome
· Phospholipids
· Polyme
Enzymes
· Explain the role of enzymes in chemical reactions and cells
· Explain the factors and conditions that affect the function of enzymes
Chemical Reactions
· Explain the following aspects of a standard chemical reaction in cells:
• Byproduct
• Enzyme
• Product
• Substrate
Metabolic Reactions
· Explain the meaning of the term “metabolic pathway”
· For each of the following metabolic pathways - what is this process, what is its overall purpose, where does it occur, what does it yield?
·
· Photosynthesis
· Aerobic respiration
· Glycolysis
· Krebs cycle
· Electron transport chain
· Explain how the above 4 metabolic pathways are linked to one another in nature
· Explain why the term “respiration” can be used to describe both the process of
eathing in humans and the chemical pathways refe
ed to as aerobic respiration
·
· Be able to state which metabolic pathways are part of aerobic respiration – glycolysis, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain
Cell Cycle
· List the steps in the cell cycle and place them in the proper order, including the following phases:
·
· Interphase
· G1
· S
· G2
· Mitosis
· Prophase
· Metaphase
· Anaphase
· Telophase
· Cytoplasmic division
· Describe the events that occur during each stage of the cell cycle listed above
Mitosis and Meiosis
· Describe the similarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis, including:
·
· The type of starting cell
· The number of cells produced
· The type of cells produced
· The chromosome content of the starting and ending cells
· The number of cell division events that occu
· The overall purpose of each
· Mitosis
·
· Describe the overall steps of mitosis.
· Describe how cytokinesis differs in plant and animal cells
· Explain why the terms “asexual cell division” and “asexual reproduction” are used to describe mitosis
· Meiosis
·
· Describe the overall steps of meiosis.
· Explain what the term “reduction division” means and why it is associated with the process of meiosis
· Explain why the term “sexual reproduction” is used to describe meiosis
DNA
· Describe the structure and function of DNA
· Describe the changes, alterations, and manipulations that chromosomes undergo during DNA replication, transcription, and mutation.
· Describe how DNA stores the hereditary information that determines the traits of an organism
· Describe the factors that contribute to the packaging of several feet of DNA into a cell that cannot be seen by the naked eye
Chromosomes
· Describe the structure and function of chromosomes.
· Describe the benefit to the cell of chromatin being condensed into chromosomes within the cell?
· Describe the changes, alterations, and manipulations that chromosomes undergo in cells during mitosis, meiosis, replication
Describe the structure, function, and relationship between the following items:
· Alleles
· Chromosome
· Codon
· Diploid
· DNA
· Double helix
· Genes
· Haploid
· Histones
· Nucleotides (A, C, G, T, U)
Gene Expression
· Explain how DNA and RNA are similar and different from one anothe
· A gene is a “unit of information” – explain what is meant by this phrase
· Explain the functional relationship between DNA, genes, RNA, proteins, and traits
Describe the overall purpose and steps in each of the following processes:
· DNA replication
· Transcription
· Translation
Mendelian Genetics; Mutations
Explain the difference between the terms “genotype” and “phenotype”. Explain how genotype and phenotype are related to one another.
Mendelian Genetics
· Explain the principles of Mendelian inheritance – dominant and recessive genes
· Identify the phenotype of an organism, given the genotype of a Mendelian trait.
· Infer the genotype of a Mendelian trait of an organism, given the phenotype of the trait in that organism.
· For a particular Mendelian trait, use a Punnett Square to predict the possible genotypes and phenotypes of a particular mating.
Describe the meaning and relationship between the following items:
· Allele
· Dominant
· Heteroygous
· Homozygous
· Homozygous dominant
· Homozygous recessive
· Recessive
Mutations
· Define the term “mutation”
· describe the various causes/sources of mutations
· describe the various types of mutations and how they change the structure of DNA
· Describe the possible consequences of mutations on genes, proteins, cells, and traits
· Describe how some mutations can be harmful, some beneficial, and some neutral
Biological Evolution
Define the term “evolution”.
State the biological levels at which evolution occurs.
Explain the term natural selection, and the role of genetics and the environment in natural selection.
Be able to describe the forces that can cause biological change to occur in a population over long periods of time.
Describe factors that may affect the evolution of a population.
Describe the sources of new genetic variation in a population.
Explain the concept of Hardy-Weinberg equili
ium. Explain how the Hardy Weinberg equation indicates whether or not a population is evolving. If a population is found to be in Hardy-Weinberg equili
ium, is the population evolving?
Be able to define, explain, and distinguish between the following terms, as well as their role in evolution and diversity:
· Acquired traits
· Adaptations
· Emigration
· Extinction
· Gene flow
· Genetic drift
· Immigration
· Inherited traits
· Inheritance
· Mutation
· Natural selection
· Reproductive fitness
· Selective
eeding
· Selective facto
· Sexual reproduction
Briefly summarize the lines of evidence that support evolution. Explain why we refer to evolution as a scientific theory?
Species
· Define the term “species”
· Explain what features determine whether or not two organisms are members of the same or different species.
· Define the term “speciation”
· Explain how new species arise
Explain why species become extinct.
Ecosystems
Be able to define, explain, and distinguish between the following terms
· Community
· Organism
· Population
· Species
Be able to define, explain, and distinguish between the following items and concepts:
· Biome
· Biosphere
· Ca
ying capacity
· Consumers
· Decomposers
· Ecology
· Ecosystem
· Endangered species
· Food chain
· Food we
· Habitat
· Producers
· Trophic level
· 10% Rule
Be able to define, explain, and distinguish between the following concepts:
· Mutualism
· Parasitism
· Predation
· Symbiosis
Biogeochemical cycles
· Explain what is recycled through the various portions of