BIOL 181 WEEK 1–8 LECTURE NOTES,
DIAGRAMS & KEY CONCEPTS 2026
◉ van der Waals interactions. Answer: weak, non specific forces
created when two atoms come close together
◉ Mole.... Answer: 6.022*10^23
◉ PH equation... Answer: -log[H+]
◉ A buffer is.... Answer: weak acid and base thatt keeps counts PH
which is important for normal cellular function
◉ Spontaneous reactions result in. Answer: entropy (disorder),
products with lower potential energy, or both
◉ Entropy increases in.... Answer: closed system (2nd law of
threadynamics)
◉ Energy is.... Answer: Capacity to do work or supply heat
◉ Thermal energy is. Answer: kinetic energy of molecular motion
, ◉ Energy of the early earth. Answer: Kinetic- lots of heat, radiation,
and lightning storms
Potential- The bonds of small molecules
◉ Prebiotic Earth. Answer: Surface- High radiation, lightning storms
probably common, atmosphere abundant with volcanic gases (CO,
CO2)
Underwater-Less radiation, dissolved gasses, hydrothermal vents
and vent minerals
◉ Origins of life hypotheses. Answer: -Life could have originated on
earth once
-Life could have originated on Earth multiple times
-Life or its components could have originated elsewhere and then
traveled here (panspermia)
◉ Miller-Urey prebiotic synthesis experiment. Answer: Organic
molecules can be synthesized abiotically under conditions that
might have existed on the early Earth.
◉ Life on earth began.... Answer: 3.8-4 billion years ago
DIAGRAMS & KEY CONCEPTS 2026
◉ van der Waals interactions. Answer: weak, non specific forces
created when two atoms come close together
◉ Mole.... Answer: 6.022*10^23
◉ PH equation... Answer: -log[H+]
◉ A buffer is.... Answer: weak acid and base thatt keeps counts PH
which is important for normal cellular function
◉ Spontaneous reactions result in. Answer: entropy (disorder),
products with lower potential energy, or both
◉ Entropy increases in.... Answer: closed system (2nd law of
threadynamics)
◉ Energy is.... Answer: Capacity to do work or supply heat
◉ Thermal energy is. Answer: kinetic energy of molecular motion
, ◉ Energy of the early earth. Answer: Kinetic- lots of heat, radiation,
and lightning storms
Potential- The bonds of small molecules
◉ Prebiotic Earth. Answer: Surface- High radiation, lightning storms
probably common, atmosphere abundant with volcanic gases (CO,
CO2)
Underwater-Less radiation, dissolved gasses, hydrothermal vents
and vent minerals
◉ Origins of life hypotheses. Answer: -Life could have originated on
earth once
-Life could have originated on Earth multiple times
-Life or its components could have originated elsewhere and then
traveled here (panspermia)
◉ Miller-Urey prebiotic synthesis experiment. Answer: Organic
molecules can be synthesized abiotically under conditions that
might have existed on the early Earth.
◉ Life on earth began.... Answer: 3.8-4 billion years ago
