BIOLOGY 1500 EXAM 1 REVIEW
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
decomposers - ANSWER-an organism, especially a soil bacterium, fungus, or
invertebrate, that decomposes organic material.
Bacteria - ANSWER-constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms.
Eukarya - ANSWER-plants, animals, fungi, and protists
Archaea - ANSWER-The Archaea constitute a domain and kingdom of single-celled
microorganisms. These microbes are prokaryotes, meaning they have no cell
nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelles in their cells.
descent with modification - ANSWER-passing traits from parent to offspring
What is matter? - ANSWER-Organisms are composed of matter
Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass
Explain the difference between an element and a compound. - ANSWER-An element
is a substance that cannot be broken down to other substances by chemical
reactions
A compound is a substance consisting of two or more elements in a fixed ratio (can
be broken down)
Explain the difference between an essential element and a trace element. -
ANSWER-essential elements are needed by an organism to live a healthy life and
reproduce
Trace elements are required in only minute quantities
Which four elements make up 96% of all living things? - ANSWER-Oxygen, carbon,
hydrogen, and nitrogen
What are important trace elements in cells? - ANSWER-Calcium
phosphorous
potassium
sulfur
sodium
chlorine
magnesium
What is the definition of an atom? - ANSWER-An atom is the smallest unit of matter
that still retains the properties of an element
What are the three subatomic particles that comprise an atom? What is the charge
for each subatomic particle? - ANSWER-Neutrons (no electrical charge)
,Protons (positive charge)
Electrons (negative charge)
b. Describe the basic structure of an atom. Where is each subatomic particle located
within the atom? - ANSWER-Neutrons and protons form the atomic nucleus
Electrons form a "cloud" around the nucleus
c. What unit do we use to measure protons and neutrons? - ANSWER-Neutron mass
and proton mass are almost identical and are measured in daltons or atomic mass
units (amu)
What information can you learn from the atomic number of an atom? - ANSWER-An
element's atomic number is the number of protons in its nucleus
b. Most atoms are electrically neutral. If an atom has an atomic number of 6, how
many electrons are found in that atom? - ANSWER-6
c. How do you calculate the mass number of an atom? - ANSWER-An element's
mass number is the sum of protons plus neutrons in the nucleus
d. The atom potassium has an atomic number of 19 and a mass number of 39. How
many protons, electrons, and neutrons found in a potassium atom? - ANSWER-
protons: 19
electrons: 19
neutrons: 20
a. What is an isotope? - ANSWER-Isotopes are two atomic forms of an element that
differ in number of neutrons
What is a radioactive isotope? - ANSWER-radioactive isotopes are any of several
species of the same chemical element with different masses whose nuclei are
unstable and dissipate excess energy by spontaneously emitting radiation in the
form of alpha, beta, and gamma rays
What are some benefits and dangers of radioactive isotopes? - ANSWER-have
many medical uses such as cancer treatment, diagnosing thyroid disorders, etc
but can also damage normal tissue, cause mutations to DNA, etc
Which subatomic particle of an atom is directly involved in chemical reactions
between atoms? - ANSWER-The electrons of an atom have potential energy due to
their distance from the nucleus
What is potential energy? How does it differ from kinetic energy? - ANSWER-
Potential energy is the energy that matter has because of its location or structure.
this energy is stored.
kinetic energy is energy that a moving object has
, Explain the difference between a theory and a hypothesis. Give one example of a
scientific theory. - ANSWER-a theory is a statement that has tons of evidence to
support it. it hold a lot of value and is the closest thing to being "proven". a
hypothesis is an educated guess that is testable but does not have evidence stacked
up for it.
evolution - ANSWER-a change in gene (allele) frequency in a population over time.
These unifying themes help to organize biological information: - ANSWER-
Organization
Information
Energy and Matter
Interactions
Evolution
reducrionism - ANSWER-complex systems are reduced to simpler components to
make them more manageable to study
emergent properties - ANSWER-result from the arrangement and interaction of parts
within a system
Properties of the system are different than the individual parts
Emergent properties characterize nonbiological entities as well
For example, a functioning bicycle emerges only when all of the necessary parts
connect in the correct way
the cell - ANSWER-The cell is the smallest unit of life that can perform all the
required activities
All cells share certain characteristics, such as being enclosed by a membrane
nucleotides - ANSWER-basic structural unit of DNA (the CTAG)
gene expression - ANSWER-process of converting information from gene to cellular
product, usually along the pathway of DNA to RNA to proteins
ribonucleic acid (RNA) protein - ANSWER-a polymeric molecule made up of one or
more nucleotides. helps dna turn into protein
work - ANSWER-energy transferred by mechanical means, force acting over a
distance.
light - ANSWER-Light energy is the only form of energy that we can actually see
directly. It is formed through chemical, radiation, and mechanical means. Light
energy can also be converted into other forms of energy.
chemical energy - ANSWER-released when bonds form in a chemical reaction, often
producing heat as a by-produc
heat - ANSWER-A form of energy that is transferred by a difference in
temperature.Heat energy is the energy stored within atoms, that can be produced
when the organism vibrates and causes friction
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
decomposers - ANSWER-an organism, especially a soil bacterium, fungus, or
invertebrate, that decomposes organic material.
Bacteria - ANSWER-constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms.
Eukarya - ANSWER-plants, animals, fungi, and protists
Archaea - ANSWER-The Archaea constitute a domain and kingdom of single-celled
microorganisms. These microbes are prokaryotes, meaning they have no cell
nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelles in their cells.
descent with modification - ANSWER-passing traits from parent to offspring
What is matter? - ANSWER-Organisms are composed of matter
Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass
Explain the difference between an element and a compound. - ANSWER-An element
is a substance that cannot be broken down to other substances by chemical
reactions
A compound is a substance consisting of two or more elements in a fixed ratio (can
be broken down)
Explain the difference between an essential element and a trace element. -
ANSWER-essential elements are needed by an organism to live a healthy life and
reproduce
Trace elements are required in only minute quantities
Which four elements make up 96% of all living things? - ANSWER-Oxygen, carbon,
hydrogen, and nitrogen
What are important trace elements in cells? - ANSWER-Calcium
phosphorous
potassium
sulfur
sodium
chlorine
magnesium
What is the definition of an atom? - ANSWER-An atom is the smallest unit of matter
that still retains the properties of an element
What are the three subatomic particles that comprise an atom? What is the charge
for each subatomic particle? - ANSWER-Neutrons (no electrical charge)
,Protons (positive charge)
Electrons (negative charge)
b. Describe the basic structure of an atom. Where is each subatomic particle located
within the atom? - ANSWER-Neutrons and protons form the atomic nucleus
Electrons form a "cloud" around the nucleus
c. What unit do we use to measure protons and neutrons? - ANSWER-Neutron mass
and proton mass are almost identical and are measured in daltons or atomic mass
units (amu)
What information can you learn from the atomic number of an atom? - ANSWER-An
element's atomic number is the number of protons in its nucleus
b. Most atoms are electrically neutral. If an atom has an atomic number of 6, how
many electrons are found in that atom? - ANSWER-6
c. How do you calculate the mass number of an atom? - ANSWER-An element's
mass number is the sum of protons plus neutrons in the nucleus
d. The atom potassium has an atomic number of 19 and a mass number of 39. How
many protons, electrons, and neutrons found in a potassium atom? - ANSWER-
protons: 19
electrons: 19
neutrons: 20
a. What is an isotope? - ANSWER-Isotopes are two atomic forms of an element that
differ in number of neutrons
What is a radioactive isotope? - ANSWER-radioactive isotopes are any of several
species of the same chemical element with different masses whose nuclei are
unstable and dissipate excess energy by spontaneously emitting radiation in the
form of alpha, beta, and gamma rays
What are some benefits and dangers of radioactive isotopes? - ANSWER-have
many medical uses such as cancer treatment, diagnosing thyroid disorders, etc
but can also damage normal tissue, cause mutations to DNA, etc
Which subatomic particle of an atom is directly involved in chemical reactions
between atoms? - ANSWER-The electrons of an atom have potential energy due to
their distance from the nucleus
What is potential energy? How does it differ from kinetic energy? - ANSWER-
Potential energy is the energy that matter has because of its location or structure.
this energy is stored.
kinetic energy is energy that a moving object has
, Explain the difference between a theory and a hypothesis. Give one example of a
scientific theory. - ANSWER-a theory is a statement that has tons of evidence to
support it. it hold a lot of value and is the closest thing to being "proven". a
hypothesis is an educated guess that is testable but does not have evidence stacked
up for it.
evolution - ANSWER-a change in gene (allele) frequency in a population over time.
These unifying themes help to organize biological information: - ANSWER-
Organization
Information
Energy and Matter
Interactions
Evolution
reducrionism - ANSWER-complex systems are reduced to simpler components to
make them more manageable to study
emergent properties - ANSWER-result from the arrangement and interaction of parts
within a system
Properties of the system are different than the individual parts
Emergent properties characterize nonbiological entities as well
For example, a functioning bicycle emerges only when all of the necessary parts
connect in the correct way
the cell - ANSWER-The cell is the smallest unit of life that can perform all the
required activities
All cells share certain characteristics, such as being enclosed by a membrane
nucleotides - ANSWER-basic structural unit of DNA (the CTAG)
gene expression - ANSWER-process of converting information from gene to cellular
product, usually along the pathway of DNA to RNA to proteins
ribonucleic acid (RNA) protein - ANSWER-a polymeric molecule made up of one or
more nucleotides. helps dna turn into protein
work - ANSWER-energy transferred by mechanical means, force acting over a
distance.
light - ANSWER-Light energy is the only form of energy that we can actually see
directly. It is formed through chemical, radiation, and mechanical means. Light
energy can also be converted into other forms of energy.
chemical energy - ANSWER-released when bonds form in a chemical reaction, often
producing heat as a by-produc
heat - ANSWER-A form of energy that is transferred by a difference in
temperature.Heat energy is the energy stored within atoms, that can be produced
when the organism vibrates and causes friction
