Study Guide for BSC 103 Exam 1
Study Guide for BSC 103 Exam 1
Chapter 1:
1.Know the following terms and concepts: characteristic associated with life, major levels of structural organization, major themes of biology, natural selection, scientific theory
2.Know the steps of the scientific method and understand how a scientific experiment should be designed in terms of variables and controls.
3.Understand the difference between science and technology
4.Understand why it is important to study biology
Chapter 2:
1.Know the following terms and concepts: atomic number, isotope,pH,polar and non-
polar molecules,function group,dehydration synthesis
2. Understand how atoms achieve stability (in relation to valance electrons).
3.Understand the 3 types of chemical bonds (which exchanges electrons, which shares electrons, which forms between polar molecules).
4.Understand why the polarity of water gives it unique properties like cohesion.
5.Understand the structure and function of the 4 organic macromolecules found in
living organisms (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids). Be able to
identify their individual building blocks and how they are organized.
6.Understand the importance of structure to the function of molecules.
7.Identify diseases due to incorrectly folded proteins.
Chapter 3:
1.Understand cell membrane structure and the functions of its individual components.
2.Undersdtand how things move across the membrane passively: simple diffusion,
facilitated diffusion, osmosis.
3. Understand active mechanisms for membrane transport: active transport, endocytosis
and exocytosis)
4.Understand the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?
Chapter 4:
1.Identify the features shared by all cells.
2.What are the main features of eukaryotic cells? Identify the organelles and give the basic structure and function of each.
3.Identify the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Chapter 5:
1. What is meant by kinetic and potential forms of energy?
2.What is stated by the 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics?
3.What is meant by endergonic and exergonic chemical reactions?
4.What are the 2 forms in which energy is stored and transported within cells?
5.Define metabolism.
6.What are enzymes (catalysts) and how do they speed up chemical reactions?
7.Identify diseases caused by missing proteins(enzymes).
Chapter 6:
1.What is photosynthesis? Where does it take place in plants?
2.What is the primary light trapping pigment in plants and where are they located?
3.What is a photosystem?
4.What two products of the light-dependent reaction are used to power the dark or light-
independent reaction?
5.Where does the oxygen produced in photosynthesis come from?
6.What is the ultimate purpose of the dark or light-independent reaction?
7.What are stomata? What function do the serve for plants?
8.What is photorespiration? What are two adaptations of plant to avoid this process?
9.What is the original source of energy for life on Earth?
Chapter 7:
1.What is the source of a cell’s energy?
2.What are the steps’s of cellular respiration and where does each take place in the cell?
3.What are the 2 main types of fermentation?
4.Which energy producing pathwaysrequire oxygen and which do not?
5.Which produces more energy – fermentation or cellular respiration?
6.Which step of cellular respiration produces the most energy?