UTSA BIO 1404 Biosciences I Key Terms Flashcards - Questions
with Correct Answers (Verified Update)
Fold the page down the middle: term on the left, answer on the right
Unit 1: Chemistry of Life
1. Atomic number Number of protons in an atom; defines the element.
2. Isotope Atoms of one element with different numbers of neutrons.
An atom's attraction for shared electrons; differences create polar
3. Electronegativity
bonds.
Weak attraction between a partially positive H and a partially
4. Hydrogen bond
negative O or N.
Attraction of water molecules to each other through hydrogen bonds;
5. Cohesion
causes surface tension.
6. Adhesion Attraction of water to other surfaces; contributes to capillary action.
Energy needed to raise 1 g of a substance by 1 C; high in water,
7. Specific heat
stabilizing temperature.
8. pH -log[H+]; below 7 is acidic, 7 neutral, above 7 basic.
A substance that minimizes pH changes by accepting or donating
9. Buffer
H+.
A group of atoms (e.g., hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, phosphate) that
10. Functional group
gives a molecule characteristic properties.
Unit 2: Macromolecules
11. Dehydration synthesis Joining monomers by removing water.
12. Hydrolysis Breaking polymers by adding water.
13. Monosaccharide Simple sugar such as glucose or fructose.
14. Glycogen Highly branched glucose polymer stored in animal liver and muscle.
15. Triglyceride Glycerol + three fatty acids; long-term energy storage.
Glycerol, two fatty acids and a phosphate head; amphipathic
16. Phospholipid
membrane lipid.
17. Steroid Lipid with four fused carbon rings, e.g., cholesterol, testosterone.
Covalent bond between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and
18. Peptide bond
the amino group of the next.
19. Denaturation Loss of a protein's 3D shape (and function) due to heat, pH or salt.
Phosphate + five-carbon sugar + nitrogenous base; monomer of
20. Nucleotide
nucleic acids.
21. Purines vs. pyrimidines Purines (A, G) have two rings; pyrimidines (C, T, U) have one.
, Unit 3: Cells
All organisms are made of cells; cells are the basic unit of life; cells
22. Cell theory
arise from existing cells.
Cell without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles (bacteria,
23. Prokaryote
archaea).
24. Nucleoid Region of a prokaryotic cell containing its DNA.
Nuclear envelope, ER, Golgi, lysosomes, vesicles and plasma
25. Endomembrane system
membrane working together.
26. Golgi apparatus Modifies, sorts and packages proteins and lipids.
Organelle with hydrolytic enzymes that digest macromolecules and
27. Lysosome
old organelles.
28. Endosymbiotic theory Mitochondria and chloroplasts descended from engulfed prokaryotes.
Network of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments
29. Cytoskeleton
giving shape and movement.
30. Gap junction Channel connecting cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells.
Unit 4: Membranes
Membrane = phospholipid bilayer with moving proteins and other
31. Fluid mosaic model
molecules.
32. Selective permeability Membrane lets some substances cross more easily than others.
33. Diffusion Net movement of particles from high to low concentration.
34. Osmosis Diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
35. Hypotonic solution Lower solute concentration than the cell; water enters the cell.
36. Facilitated diffusion Passive transport through channel or carrier proteins.
37. Active transport Movement against a concentration gradient using energy (ATP).
38. Sodium-potassium pump Pumps 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in per ATP.
Cell takes in material by forming vesicles from the plasma
39. Endocytosis
membrane.
40. Exocytosis Vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane to release contents.
Unit 5: Energy and Enzymes
41. Metabolism All chemical reactions in an organism.
42. Activation energy Energy needed to start a reaction; lowered by enzymes.
43. Exergonic reaction Releases free energy; negative delta G.
44. Endergonic reaction Requires free energy; positive delta G.
with Correct Answers (Verified Update)
Fold the page down the middle: term on the left, answer on the right
Unit 1: Chemistry of Life
1. Atomic number Number of protons in an atom; defines the element.
2. Isotope Atoms of one element with different numbers of neutrons.
An atom's attraction for shared electrons; differences create polar
3. Electronegativity
bonds.
Weak attraction between a partially positive H and a partially
4. Hydrogen bond
negative O or N.
Attraction of water molecules to each other through hydrogen bonds;
5. Cohesion
causes surface tension.
6. Adhesion Attraction of water to other surfaces; contributes to capillary action.
Energy needed to raise 1 g of a substance by 1 C; high in water,
7. Specific heat
stabilizing temperature.
8. pH -log[H+]; below 7 is acidic, 7 neutral, above 7 basic.
A substance that minimizes pH changes by accepting or donating
9. Buffer
H+.
A group of atoms (e.g., hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, phosphate) that
10. Functional group
gives a molecule characteristic properties.
Unit 2: Macromolecules
11. Dehydration synthesis Joining monomers by removing water.
12. Hydrolysis Breaking polymers by adding water.
13. Monosaccharide Simple sugar such as glucose or fructose.
14. Glycogen Highly branched glucose polymer stored in animal liver and muscle.
15. Triglyceride Glycerol + three fatty acids; long-term energy storage.
Glycerol, two fatty acids and a phosphate head; amphipathic
16. Phospholipid
membrane lipid.
17. Steroid Lipid with four fused carbon rings, e.g., cholesterol, testosterone.
Covalent bond between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and
18. Peptide bond
the amino group of the next.
19. Denaturation Loss of a protein's 3D shape (and function) due to heat, pH or salt.
Phosphate + five-carbon sugar + nitrogenous base; monomer of
20. Nucleotide
nucleic acids.
21. Purines vs. pyrimidines Purines (A, G) have two rings; pyrimidines (C, T, U) have one.
, Unit 3: Cells
All organisms are made of cells; cells are the basic unit of life; cells
22. Cell theory
arise from existing cells.
Cell without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles (bacteria,
23. Prokaryote
archaea).
24. Nucleoid Region of a prokaryotic cell containing its DNA.
Nuclear envelope, ER, Golgi, lysosomes, vesicles and plasma
25. Endomembrane system
membrane working together.
26. Golgi apparatus Modifies, sorts and packages proteins and lipids.
Organelle with hydrolytic enzymes that digest macromolecules and
27. Lysosome
old organelles.
28. Endosymbiotic theory Mitochondria and chloroplasts descended from engulfed prokaryotes.
Network of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments
29. Cytoskeleton
giving shape and movement.
30. Gap junction Channel connecting cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells.
Unit 4: Membranes
Membrane = phospholipid bilayer with moving proteins and other
31. Fluid mosaic model
molecules.
32. Selective permeability Membrane lets some substances cross more easily than others.
33. Diffusion Net movement of particles from high to low concentration.
34. Osmosis Diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
35. Hypotonic solution Lower solute concentration than the cell; water enters the cell.
36. Facilitated diffusion Passive transport through channel or carrier proteins.
37. Active transport Movement against a concentration gradient using energy (ATP).
38. Sodium-potassium pump Pumps 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in per ATP.
Cell takes in material by forming vesicles from the plasma
39. Endocytosis
membrane.
40. Exocytosis Vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane to release contents.
Unit 5: Energy and Enzymes
41. Metabolism All chemical reactions in an organism.
42. Activation energy Energy needed to start a reaction; lowered by enzymes.
43. Exergonic reaction Releases free energy; negative delta G.
44. Endergonic reaction Requires free energy; positive delta G.
