Biology 1-2 Final Exam Cheat Sheet by Eldiego650

Biology is the scientific study of life. This is a neat and simple defini­tion, but it covers a fascin­ating and diverse world. This textbook is an introd­uction to the world of biology, and in it you will learn what living organisms are made of, how they function, and how they have evolved and continue to do so. Our study of life will be a scientific one, following the scientific method of asking questions, collecting data, making and testing hypoth­eses, and formul­ating theories. All the inform­ation, hypoth­eses, and theories presented in this textbook have been derived by countless scientists following such proced­ures. Biological knowledge has been steadily built up and refined over hundreds of years. Today our biological knowledge is increasing at a phenomenal rate, and biology has assumed an ever more important role in all of our lives. Only through unders­tanding biology can we hope to address and solve vital medical and ecological problems, for example, and help improve the quality of life for all organisms on this planet. We begin our study of biology by examining the theory of evolution by natural select­ion­-what it says, the evidence on which Darwin based his theory, and how the theory has withstood the test of time. We start with this theory because it forms the foundation of modern biology. Indepe­ndent Variable: Cause, Dependent Variable: Effect, Controlled Variable: Constant. Plants take in and release water: Homeos­tasis. Redwood trees start off as small saplings: Growth­/de­vel­opment. Deer eats plants for energy: Metabo­lism. Redwood tree offspring look like their parents; Heredity. Onions under the microscope look like they have small boxes: Cell organi­zation. Plants release pollen into the air: Reprod­uction

In the previous chapter we learned that all matter is composed of atoms. The atoms of living organisms are arranged into large, complex macrom­ole­cules. Life is built upon these macrom­ole­cules. They store energy for later use, form membranes, provide structural support, help control chemical reactions within the organism, and store the hereditary inform­ation that is used to direct every aspect of the organism's life and is passed on to the next genera­tion. The four major categories of macrom­ole­cules are carboh­ydr­ates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Monome­r=s­implest form of a carb. Dimer= pair of 2 monomers of same type. Polymer= set of many monomers of same type bonded together. Dehydr­ation Synthesis= removal of water. Hydrol­osis= Addition of water.

Our study of life begins with an examin­ation of chemistry because all living organisms are composed of chemicals, and all life processes follow chemical rules. All matter, living and nonliving, is made up of atoms. Atoms can interact by transf­erring electrons or by sharing electrons and forming molecules. Atoms and the bonds that hold them together contain energy; this energy is harnessed and utilized by the chemistry of life. The single most important molecule for life as we know it is water. Water's unique and vital properties are a direct conseq­uence of its chemistry. Atoms are the basic unit of matter (smallest) they are made of protons, neutrons and electrons. Each water molecule is made up of 2 H atoms and 1 O atom which are held together by a covalent bond. Water moves up the small space between to microscope slides= capillary action. Water sticks to a plastic surface when upside down= Adhesion. A paperclip can float on the surface of water= surface tension. Water sticks to other water molecules= Cohesion. Oxygen has an atomic mass of 16 and an atomic number of 8 so it has 2.6 electrons. Covalent bonds are formed when pairs of electrons are shared by atoms. A weak bond between 2 molecules resulting from an electr­o-s­tatic attraction makes a hydrogen bond. Ph Scale= the higher, the more basic, the lower, the more acidic.