Biology Chapters 1-4

Biology

The study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment

Hierarchy

The arrangement of living things into levels of organization

Atoms

The smallest unit of matter that retains chemical properties

Molecule

A group of atoms bonded together

Macromolecule

A large molecule made up of smaller subunits

Organelle

A specialized structure within a cell that performs a specific function.

Cell

The basic unit of life

Tissue

A group of cells with a similar structure and function.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.

Community

All the different populations that live together in an area.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms interacting with their physical environment.

Cellular organization

The arrangement of cells into tissues, organs, and organ systems

Ordered complexity

The intricate organization of living things

Sensitivity to environment

The ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment.

Growth

The increase in size or number of cells.

Development

The process of maturation and differentiation of cells

Reproduction

The production of offspring

Energy utilization

The ability to acquire and use energy

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment

Evolutionary adaptation

The process of organisms changing over time to better survive in their environment.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a phenomenon

Prediction

A statement of what will happen if a hypothesis is true.

Variable

A factor that can change in an experiment.

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured or observed in an experiment.

Independent variable

The variable that is deliberately changed in an experiment.

Control

A standard for comparison in an experiment

Positive Control

A group in an experiment that is expected to show a positive result

Negative Control

A group in an experiment that is expected to show no response

Organ

A structure made up of different tissues working together.

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

Experiment

A controlled test to investigate a hypothesis

Biosphere

The sum of all ecosystems on Earth.

Atom

The basic unit of matter composed of a nucleus, containing protons and neutrons, orbited by electrons in energy levels or electron shells.

Element

A substance consisting of atoms with the same number of protons, uniquely defined by its atomic number, and characterized by its chemical properties.

Proton

A positively charged sub-atomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom, contributing to its atomic mass and defining its element.

Neutron

A neutral sub-atomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom, contributing to its atomic mass without affecting its elemental identity.

Electron

A negatively charged sub-atomic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom in specific energy levels, participating in chemical reactions and bonding

Sub-atomic Particle

Fundamental particles that make up atoms, including protons, neutrons, and electrons

Molecule

A combination of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds, representing the smallest unit of a compound with distinct properties

Net Charge

The overall charge of an atom or molecule, calculated by comparing the number of protons (positive charge) to the number of electrons (negative charge).

Ion

An atom or molecule that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge

Cation

A positively charged ion formed by losing electrons

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed by gaining electrons

Chemical Bonds

Forces that hold atoms together in molecules, resulting from interactions between electrons

Ionic Bonds

Chemical bonds formed by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, typically between a metal cation and a non-metal anion

Covalent Bonds

Chemical bonds in which atoms share electrons, resulting in the formation of molecules or compounds

Polarity

The distribution of electrical charge within a molecule, leading to partial positive and negative regions

Nonpolar

Molecules or bonds with an equal sharing of electrons, resulting in no significant charge separation

Polar

Molecules or bonds with an unequal sharing of electrons, leading to partial positive and negative charges

Hydrogen Bond

A type of weak chemical bond formed between a hydrogen atom bonded to an electronegative atom (usually oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine) and another electronegative atom

Van der Waals Interactions

Weak attractions between molecules resulting from temporary shifts in electron density, including London dispersion forces and dipole-dipole interactions

Electron Shell

A region around the nucleus where electrons are found, characterized by specific energy levels or orbitals; electrons in outer shells are involved in chemical reactions and bonding

Solvent

A solvent is a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances, known as solutes, to form a homogeneous mixture called a solution

Solute

A solute refers to a substance that is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. It is typically present in smaller quantities within the solution

Solution

A solution is a homogeneous mixture formed when a solute is dissolved in a solvent. The solute particles are evenly distributed throughout the solvent

Hydrogen Bond

A hydrogen bond is a relatively strong, electrostatic attraction between a hydrogen atom attached to an electronegative atom (such as oxygen or nitrogen) and another electronegative atom in a different molecule or a different part of the same molecule

Polarity

Polarity refers to the separation of electric charge within a molecule due to the unequal sharing of electrons between atoms. It leads to the formation of positive and negative poles within the molecule

Partial Charge

Partial charge refers to the uneven distribution of electron density within a molecule, resulting in regions of partial positive and partial negative charges

Aqueous

Aqueous refers to a solution in which water is the solvent. For example, an aqueous solution of salt means that salt is dissolved in water

Cohesion

Cohesion is the property of water molecules being attracted to each other due to hydrogen bonding, leading to the formation of water droplets and surface tension

Adhesion

Adhesion is the attraction between water molecules and other molecules or surfaces, allowing water to stick to and wet surfaces

Hydrogen Bonding Network

A hydrogen bonding network is an interconnected system of hydrogen bonds that forms in liquids like water due to the ability of water molecules to form multiple hydrogen bonds with neighboring molecules

Hydropathy

Hydropathy refers to the hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature of amino acid residues within a protein, which can influence the protein's structure and interactions

Hydrophobicity

Hydrophobicity is the property of repelling water and having an aversion to interactions with water molecules. Hydrophobic molecules tend to cluster together in water

Hydrophilicity

Hydrophilicity is the property of being attracted to and interacting favorably with water molecules. Hydrophilic molecules tend to dissolve or disperse in water

Density

Density refers to the mass of a substance per unit volume. In the context of biology, it can refer to the density of cells, tissues, or biological fluids

Transparency

Transparency refers to the property of a substance, like water, allowing light to pass through without significant scattering or absorption, resulting in clear visibility

Acid

An acid is a substance that can donate protons (H⁺ ions) in a solution, leading to an increase in the concentration of H⁺ ions

Base

A base is a substance that can accept protons (H⁺ ions) or donate hydroxide ions (OH⁻ ions) in a solution, leading to a decrease in the concentration of H⁺ ions

pH

pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, indicating the concentration of H⁺ ions present. It is defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the H⁺ ion concentration

pH Scale

The pH scale is a numerical scale that ranges from 0 to 14, used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. A pH of 7 is neutral, lower values are acidic, and higher values are alkaline

Buffer

A buffer is a solution that can resist changes in pH when an acid or base is added, helping to maintain the stability of the solution's pH

Buffer Capacity

Buffer capacity is the ability of a buffer solution to resist changes in pH upon addition of acids or bases

Biological Buffer

A biological buffer is a buffer system present in living organisms that helps regulate and maintain the pH of biological fluids, such as blood, to ensure proper physiological function

Biological Molecule

Flashcard: "Complex organic compounds essential for life processes. Examples include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. They have specific structures and functions that contribute to cell function and overall organism health."

Carbohydrates

Macronutrients that serve as the body's primary source of energy. They consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Can be classified as simple (sugars) or complex (starches and fibers). Found in foods like grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Play a crucial role in providing fuel for daily activities.

Flashcard: Proteins

Complex molecules made up of amino acids. They play crucial roles in the body, including building and repairing tissues, regulating cell processes, and serving as enzymes and antibodies. Proteins are essential for growth, development, and overall functioning of the human body.

Lipids

Organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They are hydrophobic and insoluble in water. Serve as a long-term energy storage, insulation, and protection for organs. Types include triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.

Nucleic Acids

Large biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information. They are made up of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. There are two types: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). DNA holds the instructions for building and maintaining an organism, while RNA is involved in protein synthesis.

Hydrocarbons

Organic compounds composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They are the main components of fossil fuels and include alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Hydrocarbons are nonpolar and have low solubility in water. They undergo combustion reactions to release energy. They are used as fuels, solvents, and raw materials in various industries.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within a molecule that determine its chemical properties and reactivity. They are responsible for the characteristic behavior of organic compounds. Some common functional groups include hydroxyl (-OH), carbonyl (C=O), carboxyl (-COOH), amino (-NH2), and methyl (-CH3). Each functional group has its own unique set of properties and can participate in various chemical reactions.

hydroxyl

The hydroxyl group (-OH) is a functional group consisting of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom. It is commonly found in organic compounds, such as alcohols and carbohydrates. The presence of a hydroxyl group can affect the chemical properties and reactivity of a molecule.

Isomer

A molecule with the same chemical formula but different structural arrangement. Isomers have distinct physical and chemical properties.

Structural Isomer

Structural isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but differ in the arrangement of atoms within the molecule. They have different connectivity or bonding patterns. This results in different physical and chemical properties.

stereoisomer

A stereoisomer is a molecule that has the same molecular formula and connectivity of atoms as another molecule, but differs in the spatial arrangement of its atoms. This spatial arrangement can result in different physical and chemical properties. Stereoisomers can be classified as either enantiomers (mirror images) or diastereomers (non-mirror images).

Enantiomer

A molecule that is a mirror image of another molecule, but cannot be superimposed onto it. They have identical physical properties, but can have different biological activities.