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General Biology Exam 1 Key Concepts (Ch. 1-3)

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  • Scientific method steps

    Includes observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, data analysis, and conclusion.

  • Difference between hypothesis, prediction, and theory

    Hypothesis: testable explanation; Prediction: expected outcome; Theory: well-supported broad explanation.

  • Experimental group vs. control group

    Experimental group: receives treatment; Control group: baseline for comparison, no treatment.

  • Independent vs. dependent variables

    Independent variable: manipulated factor; Dependent variable: measured outcome.

  • Darwin's concept of descent with modification

    Species change over time, passing traits to offspring with variations.

  • How natural selection works

    Individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more, increasing trait frequency.

  • Five themes of biology

    Evolution, structure and function, information flow, energy transformations, and systems biology.

  • Properties of life

    Order, regulation, growth, energy processing, response to environment, reproduction, and evolution.

  • Biological organization levels

    From atom < molecule < organelle < cell < tissue < organ < organism < population < community < ecosystem < biosphere.

  • Atoms and subatomic particles

    Atoms consist of protons (+), neutrons (neutral), and electrons (-).

  • Ions

    Atoms or molecules with a net electric charge due to loss or gain of electrons.

  • Trace elements and their importance

    Elements required in small amounts; e.g., iodine prevents goiter.

  • Functional groups in molecules

    Specific groups of atoms (e.g., hydroxyl) that determine molecule properties.

  • Reactants vs. products in chemical reactions

    Reactants: starting substances; Products: substances formed.

  • Properties of water important to biology

    Polarity, cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, high specific heat, evaporative cooling, and ice formation.

  • pH scale and buffers

    Measures acidity/basicity; buffers stabilize pH by absorbing or releasing H+ ions.

  • Types of chemical bonds

    Covalent: shared electrons; Ionic: electron transfer; Hydrogen: weak attraction between polar molecules.

  • Why carbon is important in biology

    Can form four covalent bonds, enabling diverse complex molecules.

  • Monomers and polymers

    Monomers are single units; polymers are chains of monomers (e.g., glucose monomers form starch).

  • Dehydration synthesis vs. hydrolysis

    Dehydration: joins monomers by removing water; Hydrolysis: breaks polymers by adding water.

  • Saturated vs. unsaturated fats

    Saturated: no double bonds, solid at room temp; Unsaturated: one or more double bonds, liquid at room temp.

  • Trans fats and hydrogenation

    Hydrogenation adds H to unsaturated fats, creating trans fats linked to health risks.

  • Carbohydrate types and examples

    Monosaccharides (glucose), disaccharides (sucrose), polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, glycogen).

  • DNA vs. RNA

    DNA is double-stranded, stores genetic info; RNA is single-stranded, involved in protein synthesis.

  • Nucleotide complementary base pairing

    A pairs with T (or U in RNA), and G pairs with C via hydrogen bonds.

  • Hydrophilic vs. hydrophobic molecules

    Hydrophilic: water-attracting; Hydrophobic: water-repelling, important in macromolecule structure.

  • Protein structure levels

    Primary (amino acid sequence), secondary (alpha helices, beta sheets), tertiary (3D folding), quaternary (multiple polypeptides).

  • Enzymes

    Proteins that speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

  • Antibiotic resistance evolution

    Bacteria evolve resistance through natural selection acting on genetic variation.