CLEP BIOLOGY STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Evolution - Evolution is the process of change that has transformed life on Earth
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid: a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed
from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix
Biology - The scientific study of life
Eukaryotic Cell - A type of cell with a membrane-enclosed nucleus and membrane-enclosed
organelles. Organisms with eukaryotic cells (protists, plants, fungi, and animals) are called
eukaryotes.
Prokaryotic Cell - A type of cell lacking a membrane-enclosed nucleus and membrane-enclosed
organelles. Organisms with prokaryotic cells (bacteria and archaea) are called prokaryotes.
Biosphere - The entire portion of Earth inhabited by life; the sum of all the planet's ecosystems.
Ecosystems - All the organisms in a given area as well as the abiotic factors with which they
interact; one or more communities and the physical environment around them
Community - All the organisms that inhabit a particular area; an assemblage of populations of
different species living close enough together for potential interaction.
Population - A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and
interbreed, producing fertile offspring.
Organism - a creature such as a plant, animal or a single-celled life form, or something that has
interdependent parts and that is being compared to a living creature
Organs - A specialized center of body function composed of several different types of tissues.
Organ Systems - A group of organs that work together in performing vital body functions.
Tissues - An integrated group of cells with a common structure, function, or both.
Organelles - Any of several membrane-enclosed structures with specialized functions,
suspended in the cytosol of eukaryotic cells.
Cell - The part of a neuron that houses the nucleus and most other organelles.
,Molecule - Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.
Negative Feedback - A form of regulation in which accumulation of an end product of a process
slows the process; in physiology, a primary mechanism of homeostasis, whereby a change in a
variable triggers a response that counteracts the initial change.
Positive Feedback - A form of regulation in which an end product of a process speeds up that
process; in physiology, a control mechanism in which a change in a variable triggers a response
that reinforces or amplifies the change.
Adaptation - Inherited characteristic of an organism that enhances its survival and reproduction
in a specific environment.
What are the 7 Characteristics of Life? - 1. Order
2. Regulation
3. Energy Processing
4. Evolutionary Adaptation
5. Response to the Environment
6. Reproduction
7. Growth and Development
Metabolism - The totality of an organism's chemical reactions, consisting of catabolic and
anabolic pathways, which manage the material and energy resources of the organism.
What are the three domains by which all living organisms are classified? - Domain Bacteria
Domain Archaea
Domain Eukarya
What are the 4 kingdoms in the Domain Eukarya? - Plantae
Animalia
Fungi
Protista
What are Bacteria? - All unicellular prokaryotic (no nucleus) organisms with peptidoglycan in
their cell walls
What is the Theory of Natural Selection? - A process in which individuals that have certain
inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than other individuals because of
those traits.
Why is evolution considered the core theme of biology? - Evolution accounts for the unity and
diversity of life and it explains the most fundamental aspects of all life on earth. It accounts for
the common features shared by all forms of life due to the descent from a common ancestor.
,Define Biology? What is the definition of Biology - Biology is the scientific study of life
What is the molecule that can account for both the unity and the diversity of life? - DNA
What is the appropriate term for an interacting group of individuals of a single type occupying a
defined area? - A Population
How would you define a Eukaryotic cell? - A eukaryotic cell has membrane-enclosed organelles,
the largest of which is usually the nucleus
How would you define a prokaryotic cell? - A prokaryotic cell is simpler and usually smaller, and
does not contain a nucleus or other membrane-enclosed organelles
What are the 7 Properties/Characteristics of Life - 1. Order
2. Regulation
3. Energy Processing
4. Evolutionary Adaptation
5. Response to the Environment
6. Reproduction
7. Growth and Development
What are the 10 levels of Biological Organization? - 1. Biosphere
2. Ecosystem
3. Communities
4. Populations
5. Organisms
6. Organs and Organ Systems
7. Tissues
8. Cells
9. Organelles
10. Molecules
Cell - The lowest level of organization that can perform all activities required for life
Of the three domains Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya, which one is prokayotic? - Archaea
The energy used by most organisms for metabolism and growth ultimately comes from.... - The
sun
Eukaryotic organisms that decompose dead organisms and absorb the nutrients are generally
found in which kingdom? - Fungi
Primary Structure - -Sequence of AAs attached by peptide bonds
, Secondary Structure - - Arises through hydrogen bonding between carbonyl oxygen and amino
hydrogens located on the peptide backbone (main chain)
- Two most common are alpha helices and beta sheets
- DOES NOT involve H-bonding of side chains, but the type of secondary structure that's formed
can be influenced by side chains
Tertiary Structure - - Refers to interactions of secondary structures
- Side chain and main chain H-bonding are important - Also ionic, hydrophobic, and van der
Waals
Quaternary Structure - - Interactions between different polypeptide chains
- Interactions mediated by same forces important for tertiary structure
- Relative orientation of subunits can change to regulate function of the complex
Interactions Governing S,T, and Q Structures of Protein - 1. H-Bonds
- Especially important for secondary structure
2. Ionic
- Between side chains of charged AAs - "salt bridges"
3. Hydrophobic
- Hydrophobic side chains exclude water and get packed together - E favorable, an entropic
effect
4. Van der Waals - not strong on own but yes in aggregate
- Between any two atoms
- Important in tightly packed regions of the protein
H-Bonding in an Alpha Helix - - Alpha helix stabilized by main chain H-bonds
- Occurs between every fourth residue (red arrows)
- Happens between partially negative O and hydrogens on partially positive N (due to partial
double bond character of peptide bond)
- Turns once ever 3.6 AAs
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Evolution - Evolution is the process of change that has transformed life on Earth
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid: a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed
from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix
Biology - The scientific study of life
Eukaryotic Cell - A type of cell with a membrane-enclosed nucleus and membrane-enclosed
organelles. Organisms with eukaryotic cells (protists, plants, fungi, and animals) are called
eukaryotes.
Prokaryotic Cell - A type of cell lacking a membrane-enclosed nucleus and membrane-enclosed
organelles. Organisms with prokaryotic cells (bacteria and archaea) are called prokaryotes.
Biosphere - The entire portion of Earth inhabited by life; the sum of all the planet's ecosystems.
Ecosystems - All the organisms in a given area as well as the abiotic factors with which they
interact; one or more communities and the physical environment around them
Community - All the organisms that inhabit a particular area; an assemblage of populations of
different species living close enough together for potential interaction.
Population - A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and
interbreed, producing fertile offspring.
Organism - a creature such as a plant, animal or a single-celled life form, or something that has
interdependent parts and that is being compared to a living creature
Organs - A specialized center of body function composed of several different types of tissues.
Organ Systems - A group of organs that work together in performing vital body functions.
Tissues - An integrated group of cells with a common structure, function, or both.
Organelles - Any of several membrane-enclosed structures with specialized functions,
suspended in the cytosol of eukaryotic cells.
Cell - The part of a neuron that houses the nucleus and most other organelles.
,Molecule - Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.
Negative Feedback - A form of regulation in which accumulation of an end product of a process
slows the process; in physiology, a primary mechanism of homeostasis, whereby a change in a
variable triggers a response that counteracts the initial change.
Positive Feedback - A form of regulation in which an end product of a process speeds up that
process; in physiology, a control mechanism in which a change in a variable triggers a response
that reinforces or amplifies the change.
Adaptation - Inherited characteristic of an organism that enhances its survival and reproduction
in a specific environment.
What are the 7 Characteristics of Life? - 1. Order
2. Regulation
3. Energy Processing
4. Evolutionary Adaptation
5. Response to the Environment
6. Reproduction
7. Growth and Development
Metabolism - The totality of an organism's chemical reactions, consisting of catabolic and
anabolic pathways, which manage the material and energy resources of the organism.
What are the three domains by which all living organisms are classified? - Domain Bacteria
Domain Archaea
Domain Eukarya
What are the 4 kingdoms in the Domain Eukarya? - Plantae
Animalia
Fungi
Protista
What are Bacteria? - All unicellular prokaryotic (no nucleus) organisms with peptidoglycan in
their cell walls
What is the Theory of Natural Selection? - A process in which individuals that have certain
inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than other individuals because of
those traits.
Why is evolution considered the core theme of biology? - Evolution accounts for the unity and
diversity of life and it explains the most fundamental aspects of all life on earth. It accounts for
the common features shared by all forms of life due to the descent from a common ancestor.
,Define Biology? What is the definition of Biology - Biology is the scientific study of life
What is the molecule that can account for both the unity and the diversity of life? - DNA
What is the appropriate term for an interacting group of individuals of a single type occupying a
defined area? - A Population
How would you define a Eukaryotic cell? - A eukaryotic cell has membrane-enclosed organelles,
the largest of which is usually the nucleus
How would you define a prokaryotic cell? - A prokaryotic cell is simpler and usually smaller, and
does not contain a nucleus or other membrane-enclosed organelles
What are the 7 Properties/Characteristics of Life - 1. Order
2. Regulation
3. Energy Processing
4. Evolutionary Adaptation
5. Response to the Environment
6. Reproduction
7. Growth and Development
What are the 10 levels of Biological Organization? - 1. Biosphere
2. Ecosystem
3. Communities
4. Populations
5. Organisms
6. Organs and Organ Systems
7. Tissues
8. Cells
9. Organelles
10. Molecules
Cell - The lowest level of organization that can perform all activities required for life
Of the three domains Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya, which one is prokayotic? - Archaea
The energy used by most organisms for metabolism and growth ultimately comes from.... - The
sun
Eukaryotic organisms that decompose dead organisms and absorb the nutrients are generally
found in which kingdom? - Fungi
Primary Structure - -Sequence of AAs attached by peptide bonds
, Secondary Structure - - Arises through hydrogen bonding between carbonyl oxygen and amino
hydrogens located on the peptide backbone (main chain)
- Two most common are alpha helices and beta sheets
- DOES NOT involve H-bonding of side chains, but the type of secondary structure that's formed
can be influenced by side chains
Tertiary Structure - - Refers to interactions of secondary structures
- Side chain and main chain H-bonding are important - Also ionic, hydrophobic, and van der
Waals
Quaternary Structure - - Interactions between different polypeptide chains
- Interactions mediated by same forces important for tertiary structure
- Relative orientation of subunits can change to regulate function of the complex
Interactions Governing S,T, and Q Structures of Protein - 1. H-Bonds
- Especially important for secondary structure
2. Ionic
- Between side chains of charged AAs - "salt bridges"
3. Hydrophobic
- Hydrophobic side chains exclude water and get packed together - E favorable, an entropic
effect
4. Van der Waals - not strong on own but yes in aggregate
- Between any two atoms
- Important in tightly packed regions of the protein
H-Bonding in an Alpha Helix - - Alpha helix stabilized by main chain H-bonds
- Occurs between every fourth residue (red arrows)
- Happens between partially negative O and hydrogens on partially positive N (due to partial
double bond character of peptide bond)
- Turns once ever 3.6 AAs
