BIO 210 Final Exam Review: Comprehensive Study Guide,
Key Concepts & Practice Questions 2026–2027
Define anatomy. - correct answers -The study of structure.
Define physiology. - correct answers -The study of function.
Define homeostasis. - correct answers -The body's ability to maintain a constant internal environment.
Define metabolism. - correct answers -The sum of all of the chemical reactions that occur within body
cells, including catabolism (the breaking down of larger, more complex substances into smaller, simpler
building blocks) and anabolism (the building of larger, more complex substances from smaller, simpler
building blocks).
Define stimuli. - correct answers -Changes.
List the structural levels of organization from simplest to most complex. Explain each level. - correct
answers -1. Atom - the basic unit of a chemical element
2. Molecule - 2 or more atoms chemically bonded together
3. Cell - the smallest living component of a living being
4. Tissue - a group of cells that performs a specific function
5. Organ - a group of different tissues that performs a specific function
6. Organ System - a group of different organs that performs a specific function
7. Organism - a group of different organ systems that work together to maintain life
1
,Differentiate between negative feedback and positive feedback. - correct answers -Negative feedback:
original stimulus and response are opposites
Positive feedback: original stimulus and response are the same
Differentiate between visceral and parietal membranes. Name the fluid found between these
membranes. - correct answers -Visceral membranes are located on the surface of the organs. Parietal
membranes line the cavity in which the organ is located.
Serous fluid
Define atom. - correct answers -The basic unit of a chemical element
Define element. - correct answers -A unique substance that cannot be broken down by ordinary
chemical methods
Describe the structure of an atom. List the subatomic particles and their charges, and give their locations
in the atom. - correct answers -Atoms are made up of 3 different subatomic particles:
1. Protons - positive charge
2. Neutrons - no charge
3. Electrons - negative charge
The nucleus, made up of protons and neutrons, has an overall positive charge and lies in the middle of
the atom. Surrounding the nucleus are energy levels (or shells) that house electrons. These negatively
charged electrons orbit around the nucleus (due to the magnetic attraction between positive and
negative charges).
2
,Differentiate between atomic number and atomic mass. - correct answers -Atomic number: number of
protons
Atomic mass: number of protons + number of neutrons
Differentiate between ionic and covalent bonding. - correct answers -Ionic bonding: also called electron
transfer, one atom loses one or more electrons and becomes positively charged while the other atom
gains one or more electrons and becomes negatively charged. The attraction between positive and
negative charges holds the two atoms together.
Covalent bonding: also called electron sharing, two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons
Differentiate between cations and anions. - correct answers -Cations: positively charged ions
Anions: negatively charged ions
Differentiate between inorganic and organic molecules. - correct answers -Organic compounds: contain
carbon, made by living things, covalently bonded
Inorganic compounds: usually do not contain carbon (a few exceptions - carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide)
Name the most important inorganic molecule and explain its importance. - correct answers -Water
1. High heat capacity (absorbs/releases large amounts of heat before changing in temperature)
2. High heat of vaporization (requires large amounts of heat to be absorbed for hydrogen bonds to break
in order to vaporize)
3
, 3. Universal solvent (almost anything will dissolve into water with the exception of lipids)
4. Reactivity
5. Cushioning
6. Forms hydration layers
Differentiate between acids, bases, and salts. - correct answers -Acids: high concentration of H+, low
concentration of OH-, low pH
Bases: low concentration of H+, high concentration of OH-, high pH
Salts: release ions other than H+ and OH- when dissociating
All are inorganic compounds, ionic compounds, and electrolytes.
Describe the change in pH if hydrogen ions are added to a solution. - correct answers -pH goes down if
hydrogen ions are added
Describe the change in pH if hydrogen ions are removed from a solution. - correct answers -pH goes up
if hydrogen ions are removed
Define buffer. - correct answers -A substance that is added to a solution in order to counteract an acid
or base and maintain a stable pH
List and give general function(s) of the major organic molecules found in the human body. Name the
building block of each (for lipid: name the building blocks of triglycerides). - correct answers -1.
Carbohydrates - monosaccharide (simple sugar)
2. Lipids - 1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids
3. Proteins - amino acids
4
Key Concepts & Practice Questions 2026–2027
Define anatomy. - correct answers -The study of structure.
Define physiology. - correct answers -The study of function.
Define homeostasis. - correct answers -The body's ability to maintain a constant internal environment.
Define metabolism. - correct answers -The sum of all of the chemical reactions that occur within body
cells, including catabolism (the breaking down of larger, more complex substances into smaller, simpler
building blocks) and anabolism (the building of larger, more complex substances from smaller, simpler
building blocks).
Define stimuli. - correct answers -Changes.
List the structural levels of organization from simplest to most complex. Explain each level. - correct
answers -1. Atom - the basic unit of a chemical element
2. Molecule - 2 or more atoms chemically bonded together
3. Cell - the smallest living component of a living being
4. Tissue - a group of cells that performs a specific function
5. Organ - a group of different tissues that performs a specific function
6. Organ System - a group of different organs that performs a specific function
7. Organism - a group of different organ systems that work together to maintain life
1
,Differentiate between negative feedback and positive feedback. - correct answers -Negative feedback:
original stimulus and response are opposites
Positive feedback: original stimulus and response are the same
Differentiate between visceral and parietal membranes. Name the fluid found between these
membranes. - correct answers -Visceral membranes are located on the surface of the organs. Parietal
membranes line the cavity in which the organ is located.
Serous fluid
Define atom. - correct answers -The basic unit of a chemical element
Define element. - correct answers -A unique substance that cannot be broken down by ordinary
chemical methods
Describe the structure of an atom. List the subatomic particles and their charges, and give their locations
in the atom. - correct answers -Atoms are made up of 3 different subatomic particles:
1. Protons - positive charge
2. Neutrons - no charge
3. Electrons - negative charge
The nucleus, made up of protons and neutrons, has an overall positive charge and lies in the middle of
the atom. Surrounding the nucleus are energy levels (or shells) that house electrons. These negatively
charged electrons orbit around the nucleus (due to the magnetic attraction between positive and
negative charges).
2
,Differentiate between atomic number and atomic mass. - correct answers -Atomic number: number of
protons
Atomic mass: number of protons + number of neutrons
Differentiate between ionic and covalent bonding. - correct answers -Ionic bonding: also called electron
transfer, one atom loses one or more electrons and becomes positively charged while the other atom
gains one or more electrons and becomes negatively charged. The attraction between positive and
negative charges holds the two atoms together.
Covalent bonding: also called electron sharing, two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons
Differentiate between cations and anions. - correct answers -Cations: positively charged ions
Anions: negatively charged ions
Differentiate between inorganic and organic molecules. - correct answers -Organic compounds: contain
carbon, made by living things, covalently bonded
Inorganic compounds: usually do not contain carbon (a few exceptions - carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide)
Name the most important inorganic molecule and explain its importance. - correct answers -Water
1. High heat capacity (absorbs/releases large amounts of heat before changing in temperature)
2. High heat of vaporization (requires large amounts of heat to be absorbed for hydrogen bonds to break
in order to vaporize)
3
, 3. Universal solvent (almost anything will dissolve into water with the exception of lipids)
4. Reactivity
5. Cushioning
6. Forms hydration layers
Differentiate between acids, bases, and salts. - correct answers -Acids: high concentration of H+, low
concentration of OH-, low pH
Bases: low concentration of H+, high concentration of OH-, high pH
Salts: release ions other than H+ and OH- when dissociating
All are inorganic compounds, ionic compounds, and electrolytes.
Describe the change in pH if hydrogen ions are added to a solution. - correct answers -pH goes down if
hydrogen ions are added
Describe the change in pH if hydrogen ions are removed from a solution. - correct answers -pH goes up
if hydrogen ions are removed
Define buffer. - correct answers -A substance that is added to a solution in order to counteract an acid
or base and maintain a stable pH
List and give general function(s) of the major organic molecules found in the human body. Name the
building block of each (for lipid: name the building blocks of triglycerides). - correct answers -1.
Carbohydrates - monosaccharide (simple sugar)
2. Lipids - 1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids
3. Proteins - amino acids
4
