Properties of life and cell theory
Atoms/Molecules
Scientific method
Darwin &Endosymbiotic theory
Bonding
Water
Ph&water
100

What are the three domains of life? 

What is Bacteria, Eukarya, and Archaea?

100

Which of the subatomic particles CANNOT change in number without changing the identity of the element itself?

 The number of protons in an atom determines the element's identity; changing the number of protons changes the element.

100

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?

  • Quantitative data is numerical and can be measured and analyzed statistically (e.g., height, weight, temperature).
  • Qualitative data is descriptive and relates to characteristics or qualities that are not easily measured numerically (e.g., color, texture, subjective observations).
100

What is the importance of genetic variation in evolution?

Genetic variation provides the raw material for natural selection, as it allows for different traits to be favored in different environments, leading to evolutionary changes over time.

100

What is the difference between covalent and ionic bonds?

  • Covalent Bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
  • Ionic Bonds involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positively and negatively charged ions that attract each other.
100

What property of water molecules allows it to retain surface tension?

 Surface tension is due to the cohesive forces between water molecules. These cohesive forces create a "skin" on the surface of the water, allowing it to resist external forces.

100

Write the equation for pH.

The equation for pH is: pH=−log⁡[H+]

200

What do Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells have in common? 

DNA, Order, regulation, reproduction, growth & development, evolutionary adaptation, energy processing, and response to environment

200

What are the differences between an atom, an element, and an isotope, and how are they related?

  • An atom is the smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element.
  • An element is a pure substance consisting of only one type of atom.
  • An isotope is a variant of an element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.
200

Differentiate between independent vs dependent variable, and controls.

Question: What are the differences between independent variables, dependent variables, and controls?

  • Independent Variable: The variable that is changed or manipulated by the researcher in an experiment (e.g., the amount of light in a plant growth experiment).
  • Dependent Variable: The variable that is measured or observed in response to changes in the independent variable (e.g., the growth rate of the plant).
  • Controls: The variables that are kept constant to ensure that any observed effect is due to the manipulation of the independent variable and not other factors.
200

What is the role of adaptation in Darwin’s theory of evolution?

 Adaptation occurs when traits that enhance an organism’s survival and reproductive success become more common in a population over generations due to natural selection.

200

In what circumstances will an ionic bond form?

An ionic bond forms when there is a large difference in electronegativity between two atoms, typically between a metal and a non-metal. The metal loses electrons to become a positively charged ion, while the non-metal gains those electrons to become a negatively charged ion.

200

What is the difference between temperature and heat?

  • Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.
  • Heat is the total energy transferred from one body to another due to a temperature difference.
200

What is one “mole” and what do we use a mole to quantify?

One mole is 6.022×10236.022 \times 10^{23}6.022×1023 entities (atoms, molecules, etc.). It is used to quantify the amount of a substance in terms of the number of particles it contains.

300

What is one thing that makes a Eukaryotic cell different from a prokaryotic cell? 

Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus and membranes, while Prokaryotic cells do not.  

  • eproduce asexually through binary fission, a simple division process.
  • Eukaryotic Cells: Can reproduce asexually (through mitosis) and sexually (through meiosis, leading to the formation of gametes).
  • Prokaryotic Cells: Typically have a single circular chromosome. They may also contain small circular DNA molecules called plasmids.
  • Eukaryotic Cells: Have multiple linear chromosomes located within the nucleus.
300

What is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom tell us about the atom?

The atomic number of an element is the number of protons in the nucleus of its atoms.

300

Why must the methods of a research study be repeatable?

The methods of a research study must be repeatable to ensure that the results are reliable and can be verified by other researchers. Repeatability helps confirm that the findings are consistent and not due to random chance or experimental error.

300

What is common descent?

Common descent is the concept that all living organisms share a common ancestor and have diverged from this ancestral species over time through the process of evolution.

300

What determines whether a covalent bond will be polar?

A covalent bond is polar if there is a significant difference in electronegativity between the two atoms involved. The atom with the higher electronegativity will attract the shared electrons more strongly, creating a partial negative charge on that atom and a partial positive charge on the other.

300

Define specific heat.

Specific heat is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

300

Define acid and base.

  • Acid: A substance that donates protons (H⁺ ions) in a solution.
  • Base: A substance that accepts protons (H⁺ ions) or donates hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in a solution.
400

What are the four recognized Kingdoms of the Eukarya Domain?

1. Plantae

2. Animalia

3. Fungi

4. Protists 

400

What is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus?

The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

400

How is the word “theory” defined in scientific terms?

In science, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation. It integrates a range of facts and hypotheses into a coherent framework.

400

What is the evidence supporting the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts?

Evidence includes the presence of their own circular DNA, double membranes, and ribosomes similar to those found in prokaryotes, as well as their ability to replicate independently within the cell.

400

In what circumstances will a covalent bond be non-polar?

A covalent bond is non-polar when the two atoms involved have similar or identical electronegativities. The electrons are shared equally, resulting in no partial charges on the atoms. Non-polar covalent bonds typically occur between identical atoms (e.g., H₂, O₂) or between atoms with similar electronegativities.

400

Define heat of vaporization.

Heat of vaporization is the amount of heat required to convert one gram of a liquid into a gas at its boiling point without changing its temperature.

400

pH is measured on a log scale—explain what one change on this log scale (for example, an increase in pH from 3 to 4) means for the change in concentration of H⁺ in the solution.

An increase in pH by 1 unit represents a tenfold decrease in the concentration of hydrogen ions [H⁺]. For example, a solution with pH 3 has ten times the concentration of H⁺ ions compared to a solution with pH 4.

500

Does Cell Theory provide a structural or functional definition of life?

Cell Theory provides a structural definition of life, focusing on the idea that all living things are composed of cells.

500

Define valence, valence shell, and valence electrons

  • Valence: The ability of an atom to bond with other atoms, often determined by the number of electrons in the valence shell.
  • Valence Shell: The outermost electron shell of an atom.
  • Valence Electrons: The electrons located in the valence shell of an atom that are involved in forming bonds.
500

What kinds of conclusions can be drawn from observational studies compared to experimental studies, and how do these study designs differ?

  • Observational Studies: These studies involve observing and recording data without manipulating variables. Conclusions are generally correlational and can identify relationships or patterns but cannot establish causation.
  • Experimental Studies: These studies involve manipulating one or more variables and controlling others to determine cause-and-effect relationships. They allow researchers to make causal inferences because the researcher actively controls the variables.

Difference: Observational studies do not involve manipulation of variables and often deal with natural conditions, while experimental studies involve controlled manipulation of variables to test hypotheses.

500

What is the explanation for the similarities between mitochondria, chloroplasts, and prokaryotic cells according to the serial endosymbiosis theory?

The similarities are explained by the theory suggesting that mitochondria and chloroplasts are descendants of free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by a host cell, leading to a mutualistic relationship and the integration of these prokaryotes into the eukaryotic cell as organelles.

500

Order Hydrogen, covalent, Ionic, and Van Der Walls interactions in order of strongest to weakest.

what is Ionic, Covalent, Hydrogen, and van der Waals interactions? 

500

How does water’s high specific heat contribute to its ability to sustain life?

Water’s high specific heat allows it to absorb and release large amounts of heat with only small changes in its own temperature. This helps maintain stable temperatures in organisms and environments, supporting life by protecting against extreme temperature fluctuations.

500

What is a buffer?

A buffer is a solution that resists changes in pH when small amounts of an acid or base are added. It typically consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.

600

What are the three main tenets of Cell Theory?

  • All living things are composed of one or more cells.
  • The cell is the basic unit of structure and organization in organisms.
  • All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
600

What does it mean if an atom of an element is “ionized”?

When an atom is ionized, it has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge.

600

What is something important when conducting research?

Using reliable sources of information, avoid information from blogs and out of dated textbooks. 

600

What is a major difference between Darwin’s theory of evolution and the serial endosymbiosis theory?

Darwin’s theory of evolution focuses on the mechanisms of natural selection and adaptation over time, while the serial endosymbiosis theory explains the origin of eukaryotic cells through symbiotic relationships with prokaryotic cells.

600

Differentiate between "reactants" and "products" in a chemical reaction.

  • Reactants are the starting substances that undergo a chemical change.
  • Products are the substances formed as a result of the chemical reaction.
600

What is the equation for the natural ionization (or dissociation) of water molecules?

The equation for the natural ionization of water is: H2O⇌H++OH−\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightleftharpoons \text{H}^+ + \text{OH}^-H2O⇌H++OH−

600

Describe the “law of mass action” in the context of buffer systems.

The law of mass action states that the position of equilibrium in a reversible reaction is determined by the concentrations of reactants and products. In buffer systems, the law of mass action helps maintain pH stability by shifting the equilibrium between the weak acid and its conjugate base to counteract pH changes.

700

What are some life-like entities that are not considered living under Cell Theory?

Viruses are considered life-like entities because they can reproduce and evolve, but they are not considered living organisms under Cell Theory because they do not consist of cells and require a host cell to replicate.

700

What is electronegativity?

pt.2  Out of C, N, O, and H, which two are the most electronegative? Which two elements have the most similar electronegativity?  

Electronegativity is the measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a chemical bond.


  • The two most electronegative elements are Oxygen (O) and Nitrogen (N).
  • The two elements with the most similar electronegativity are Carbon (C) and Hydrogen (H).

 

700

What are the steps of the scientific method in order? 

Observation, prediction, hypothesis, Experiment, collect data, analyze data, conclusion, report results.  

700

How is the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria an example
of rapid natural selection?

Within any bacterial population, there is genetic variation. Some bacteria naturally possess or acquire mutations that provide resistance to antibiotics. This variation arises through random genetic mutations or through the acquisition of resistance genes from other bacteria.

bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics survive and reproduce in the presence of the drug, while those that are not resistant are killed. As a result, the proportion of resistant bacteria increases rapidly in the population, as they reproduce and pass on their resistance traits to their offspring.

Bacteria reproduce rapidly, often within hours, which allows for quick changes in their populations. When exposed to antibiotics, the selection pressure is immediate and intense, leading to rapid evolution of resistance within a very short period compared to the timescales of many other evolutionary processes.  

700

What is a cation? 

Pt. 2 what is an anion? 

A cation is a positively charged ion. It forms when an atom loses one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive charge. For example, a sodium atom (Na) that loses one electron becomes a sodium cation (Na⁺).

An anion is a negatively charged ion. It forms when an atom gains one or more electrons, resulting in a net negative charge. For example, a chlorine atom (Cl) that gains one electron becomes a chloride anion (Cl⁻).  

700

What is the concentration of hydrogen ions [H⁺] in pure water? Write the number in scientific notation.

In pure water, the concentration of hydrogen ions [H⁺] is 1×10−71 \times 10^{-7}1×10−7 moles per liter.

700

Given the equation of our blood’s buffering system, predict how the addition of an acid or a base to the bloodstream would impact the equilibrium of the reaction, and how the reaction may “shift” to reestablish dynamic equilibrium.

The blood’s buffering system is represented by the equation: H2CO3⇌H++HCO3−\text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 \rightleftharpoons \text{H}^+ + \text{HCO}_3^-H2CO3⇌H++HCO3−

  • Addition of an acid (H⁺ ions): The equilibrium will shift to the left, increasing the concentration of carbonic acid (H2CO3\text{H}_2\text{CO}_3H2CO3) and reducing the concentration of H+\text{H}^+H+ ions.
  • Addition of a base (OH⁻ ions): The equilibrium will shift to the right, increasing the concentration of bicarbonate (HCO3−\text{HCO}_3^-HCO3−) and reducing the concentration of H+ ions by forming more carbonic acid.