Biology Study Guide Overview

Zoologists study animals, their biology, behavior, and interactions with their environment.

Photosynthesis is the process where plants capture sunlight energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen.

ATP's phosphate groups are involved in storing and releasing energy. Breaking these bonds releases energy for cellular processes.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek used a simple microscope, a single lens magnifying device, to observe tiny organisms.

Diffusion is the passive movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration. This movement continues until the concentration is equal throughout.

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is a product of alcoholic fermentation. It's used in brewing, baking, and other industries.

Hydrolysis uses water to break down larger molecules (polysaccharides) into smaller ones (monosaccharides).

Reproduction is the process where a single organism produces a new offspring. It can be asexual (identical offspring) or sexual (offspring with genetic variation).

Aerobic respiration is the process of breaking down glucose to produce energy in the presence of oxygen. It yields a net gain of 36 ATP molecules per glucose molecule.

Robert Hooke observed empty chambers in cork tissue under a microscope and named them cells because they resembled the cells of a monastery.

A controlled experiment only changes one variable at a time, while keeping all other variables constant. This allows scientists to isolate the effects of the changed variable.

Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing NADH as a byproduct.

Lipids are the primary components of cell membranes. They form a phospholipid bilayer, acting as a barrier to regulate what enters and exits the cell.

The thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts is the site of the light-dependent reactions in photosynthesis. These reactions capture light energy and convert it to chemical energy.

Hydrophobic molecules are nonpolar, meaning they do not dissolve in water. They are 'water-fearing' and tend to repel water.

The role of the electron transport chain is to generate a proton gradient, not to produce carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is produced during the Krebs cycle.

A prokaryotic organism is a single-celled organism that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Bacteria are the most common type of prokaryote, and they are found in a wide variety of environments.

Plants in hot, dry climates have adaptations to minimize water loss while taking in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. These adaptations include things like thick leaves to reduce transpiration, stomata that open at night to capture CO2 while preventing water loss during the day, and a special enzyme called PEP carboxylase that allows them to capture CO2 even when water is scarce.

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment in an organism. This includes regulating factors like temperature, blood sugar, and pH levels.

The Calvin Cycle is the light-independent stage of photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide is converted into glucose. The main product of the Calvin Cycle is glucose, which is a sugar that provides energy for the plant.

Anaerobic processes do not require oxygen. Glycolysis is the process of breaking down glucose into pyruvate and occurs in the cytoplasm, without the need for oxygen. The Krebs cycle, however, requires oxygen, therefore it is not anaerobic.

A line graph is used to show trends over time, making it suitable for representing data that shows a change in temperature over a 3-week period.

The lipid bilayer is a double-layered sheet that forms the cell membrane. It is composed of phospholipids, which have a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail.

Fermentation regenerates NAD+ by converting pyruvate into lactic acid or ethanol. This is important because NAD+ is required for glycolysis, which is the first step in cellular respiration.

Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Each nucleotide consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

ATP synthase is an enzyme that uses the energy from a proton gradient to synthesize ATP from ADP and phosphate. This process occurs during both photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus of an atom, while electrons orbit the nucleus.

Glucose is not a product of the Krebs cycle; instead, it is the starting molecule of glycolysis. FADH2, ATP, and NADH are all products of the Krebs cycle.

The Calvin Cycle requires carbon dioxide as a reactant for the conversion of inorganic carbon into organic molecules.

The cell membrane is a structure found around all cells, regulating what enters and exits the cell.

The electron transport chain is the final stage of cellular respiration, where the majority of ATP is produced. It involves a series of protein complexes that transfer electrons, releasing energy to pump protons and generate a proton gradient.

Oxygen is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain. As electrons move through the chain, they release energy that is used to pump protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient. Oxygen then accepts these electrons and combines with protons to form water.

The body responds to increased energy demands by increasing the rate of glycolysis, which is the first step in cellular respiration. This results in the production of more pyruvate, which can then be used for further energy production in the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain.

The Calvin Cycle occurs in the stroma, which is the fluid-filled space outside of the thylakoids in chloroplasts.

A hypothesis is a testable prediction or statement that is written before any investigation is conducted. A theory, on the other hand, is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world. A theory is supported by a large body of evidence and has been repeatedly tested through rigorous scientific investigation.

Mitochondria are organelles that are responsible for converting food into energy, in the form of ATP, through the process of cellular respiration.

Fermentation is an anaerobic process that occurs when oxygen is not available. It involves converting pyruvate into lactic acid or ethanol to regenerate NAD+ and allow glycolysis to continue.

Endocytosis is the process by which cells take in materials from their surroundings. The cell membrane invaginates, forming a vesicle that encloses the material and brings it into the cell.

The main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is the presence of a nucleus. Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus that contains their DNA, while prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and their DNA is located in a region called the nucleoid.

Biology is the study of all living organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and protists.

Ribosomes are organelles responsible for protein synthesis. They are found in the cytoplasm and bind to mRNA, which carries the genetic code for proteins. Ribosomes then translate this code into a sequence of amino acids, assembling them into a polypeptide chain that folds into a functional protein.

Robert Hooke was the first to discover cells. He observed a slice of cork under a microscope and noticed small, box-like compartments which he named cells.

In the presence of oxygen, pyruvic acid enters the mitochondria and is converted into acetyl-CoA, initiating the Krebs cycle. Pyruvate is not converted to lactic acid or glucose. It is also not directly released as carbon dioxide but enters the Krebs cycle and is gradually broken down.

Chlorophyll absorbs most wavelengths of light except green, which it reflects back. That's why plants appear green to our eyes.

When data agrees with the hypothesis, we say the hypothesis is supported. It doesn't mean it's right, but it's consistent with the evidence gathered.

The prefix “centi” refers to one hundredth (0.01).

Data that are collected relating to the number of flowers in a garden is quantitative. Quantitative data deals with numbers and measurements, while qualitative data deals with descriptions and qualities.

ATP synthase is an enzyme that uses the energy from a proton gradient to synthesize ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. This process occurs during cellular respiration, where the proton gradient is created by the electron transport chain.

Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom. They are much smaller than protons and neutrons.

When monosaccharides bond to create a polysaccharide like glycogen, a water molecule is released. This is called a dehydration reaction, and it is how polymers are formed from monomers.

Enzymes and antibodies are both proteins. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions, while antibodies are proteins that help the immune system recognize and fight off pathogens.

A transmission electron microscope (TEM) can study cellular structures that are 1 billionth of a meter in size. TEMs use a beam of electrons to generate images of very small objects.

The main advantage of glycolysis is that it occurs quickly and does not require oxygen. It is the first step in cellular respiration and can provide a burst of energy when oxygen is limited.

Enzymes are molecules in living organisms that can speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed to start the reaction. They do this by binding to specific substrates and facilitating their conversion into products.