Biochem
What type of bond forms between water molecules and gives water its cohesive properties?
Hydrogen bond
What organelle is responsible for ATP production?
Mitochondrion
What is the name of the process by which DNA is copied into RNA?
Transcription
Who proposed the theory of natural selection?
Charles Darwin
What term describes all the populations of different species living in the same area?
Community
Which macromolecule serves as the main energy source for cells?
Carbohydrates
Which type of transport moves substances from low to high concentration and requires energy?
Active transport
In a monohybrid cross of two heterozygotes, what is the expected phenotypic ratio?
3:1 (dominant:recessive)
What is genetic drift and in what type of populations does it have the greatest effect?
Random changes in allele frequency; greatest effect in small populations
Define carrying capacity.
Maximum number of individuals an environment can support
What are the monomers of proteins called?
Amino acids
Describe one difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes have them
Define the law of independent assortment.
Alleles of different genes assort independently during gamete formation
Describe the role of homologous structures in supporting common ancestry.
Similar structures inherited from a common ancestor support evolutionary relationships
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
Food chain: single energy path; Food web: interconnected food chains
Describe the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of protein structure.
Primary: amino acid sequence; Secondary: alpha helices & beta sheets; Tertiary: 3D folding due to side chain interactions
What is the role of the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus in protein production?
ER synthesizes proteins (rough ER); Golgi modifies, sorts, and ships them
How do mutations in DNA affect protein function?
They can change amino acid sequences, altering protein structure and possibly function
What is the difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation?
Allopatric: due to geographic isolation; Sympatric: occurs without physical separation
Describe how energy flows through an ecosystem and how much is transferred at each trophic level.
Energy flows from producers to consumers; ~10% is transferred to the next level
Explain why enzymes are considered biological catalysts and how temperature affects their function.
Enzymes lower activation energy to speed up reactions; high temperatures can denature enzymes, reducing function
How does the structure of the plasma membrane support its function in cell communication and transport?
Phospholipid bilayer allows selective transport; embedded proteins assist with signaling and transport
Explain the difference between codominance and incomplete dominance with examples.
Codominance: both alleles expressed (e.g. AB blood); Incomplete dominance: blended phenotype (e.g. red + white = pink)
Explain how molecular biology provides evidence for evolution.
DNA/protein sequence similarities indicate common ancestry
Explain how keystone species impact ecosystems.
They have a disproportionately large effect on community structure and biodiversity