BIOD 171 Final Exam Study Guide questions and answers rated A+

BIOD 171 Final Exam Study Guide questions and answers rated A+ What is microbiology the study of? - microbes and their biological processes What is the smallest biological unit of life? - cell What are the characteristics of life? - movement, responsiveness, growth, reproduction, metabolism, homeostasis, and organization What is a macromolecule? - a complex molecule that is composed from smaller subunits What are the four main types of macromolecules? - protein, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates What is the most prominent macromolecule in the body? - protein What are the functions of proteins in a cell? - Movement, catalyzing, support, storage, transportation, communication in the cell, defense what is the most abundant cell type? - Prokaryotic What are the two major types of nucleic acids and their roles? - DNA and RNA DNA contains a vast amount of hereditary information and is responsible for the inheritable characteristics of living organisms. RNA is responsible for deciphering the hereditary information in DNA and using it to synthesize proteins. What is the plasma membrane and what is it made of? - The plasma membrane serves the cell as a surrounding barrier that separates the inside of the cell from the outside surrounding environment. The plasma membrane also restricts the movement of materials (water, nutrients, etc) either in or out of the cell, thus allowing a cells to absorb and keep what is needed (influx) while also preventing the escape (out flux) of essential nutrients. The plasma membrane is composed of lipids (hydrophobic hydrocarbons).