Biology Final Exam Study Guide Spring 2015
Chapter 12: DNA
Covers Sections 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3 (p. 342-353)
Vocabulary
Nucleic acid
Nucleotide
Phosphate group
Deoxyribose
Nitrogenous base
Adenine
Cytosine
Guanine
Thymine
Double helix
Concepts
1. What are the three roles of DNA?
2. List the three parts of a nucleotide.
3. List the four nucleotides that make up DNA.
4. Explain Chargaff’s Rule (base-pairing rules).
5. Name the two parts of a nucleotide that form DNA’s backbone.
6. List and describe the steps of DNA replication.
7. Describe the two jobs that DNA polymerase has in DNA replication.
Base pairing
Complementary bases
DNA replication
Replication fork
DNA polymerase
Chapter 13: RNA and Protein Synthesis
Covers Sections 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 (p. 362-376)
Vocabulary
RNA
Uracil
Messenger RNA
Transfer RNA
Ribosomal RNA
RNA synthesis
Transcription
RNA polymerase
Promoter
Polypeptide
Genetic code
Codon
Protein synthesis
Translation
Anticodon
Mutations
Point mutation
Substitution
Insertion
Deletion
Frameshift mutation
Chromosomal mutation
Mutagen
Concepts
1. Know the difference between a DNA nucleotide and an RNA nucleotide (DNA has deoxyribose; RNA has
ribose in its nucleotides).
2. Compare and contrast DNA and RNA molecules, their functions, and where they are located in the cell.
3. Know base-pairing rules between DNA and RNA, and between RNA and RNA molecules.
4. List the steps involved in transcription (RNA synthesis).
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
What is the job of RNA polymerase in transcription?
What does the promoter tell RNA polymerase to do?
List the steps involved in translation (protein synthesis).
Know the differences between transcription and translation
Know how to use an mRNA codon chart to figure out the order of amino acids in a polypeptide chain made
during translation from an mRNA molecule.
10. Explain how codons and anticodons work with each other.
11. Know that information in cells travels in the following order: DNA → RNA → protein → trait.
12. Describe the two main categories of mutations (point and chromosomal).
13. List and describe the different types of point mutations.
14. Explain why frameshift mutations can be extremely damaging.
15. List and describe the different types of chromosomal mutations.
16. List some things that can cause mutations.
Chapters 16, 17 & 19: Evolution
Covers:
Sections 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, and 16.4 (p. 454-471)
Sections 17.1, 17.2, and 17.3 (p. 483, 487-490, 494-497)
Section 19.2 (p. 546-551)
Vocabulary
Evolution
Artificial selection
Natural selection
Adaptation
Fitness
Biogeography
Homologous structures
Analogous structures
Vestigial structures
Gene pool
Allele frequency
Directional selection
Stabilizing selection
Disruptive selection
Genetic drift
Bottleneck effect
Founder effect
Species
Speciation
Reproductive isolation
Behavioral isolation
Geographic isolation
Temporal isolation
Macroevolution
Gradualism
Punctuated equilibrium
Concepts
1. List and describe the three key observations Darwin made as a result of the HMS Beagle voyage.
2. List and describe the three factors that must occur in natural selection.
3. Be able to describe how natural selection would work in nature.
4. Explain how artificial selection is different than natural selection.
5. Explain the meaning of Darwin’s statement “descent with modification”.
6. Describe and give examples of the four major categories of evidence for evolution:
a. Biogeography
b. Fossils and the age of the earth
c. Comparing anatomy and embryology
d. Genetics and molecular biology
7. Explain how homologous structures are different from analogous structures.
8. Explain why vestigial structures can be important in showing evolution.
9. Define evolution in genetic terms (see p. 483).
10. Describe how a gene pool and allele frequencies are related to each other.
11. Describe directional selection, and know what the graph that shows directional selection looks like.
12. Describe stabilizing selection, and know what the graph that shows stabilizing selection looks like.
13. Describe disruptive selection, and know what the graph that shows disruptive selection looks like.
14. Explain why genetic drift is different than natural selection.
15. What causes a genetic bottleneck? What is the result of this genetic bottleneck?
16. What causes the founder effect? What is the result of this founding population?
17. Explain why the bottleneck effect and the founder effect are both examples of genetic drift.
18. List and describe the three types of reproductive isolation. Give an example of each one.
19. Why does reproductive isolation lead to speciation?
20. Explain how speciation occurs in Darwin’s finches (see p. 496 in your book).
21. Compare and contrast gradualism with punctuated equilibrium.
Chapter 6: Humans in the Biosphere
Covers: Section 6.3 and 6.4 (p. 166-179)
Vocabulary
Biodiversity
Genetic diversity
Ecosystem diversity
Habitat fragmentation
Species diversity
Introduced species
Ecological hot spot
Climate change
Global warming
Concepts
1. Compare the three levels of biodiversity.
2. Give examples of the economic value that biodiversity provides to humans.
3. Give examples of threats to biodiversity.
4. Give examples of conservation of biodiversity.
5. Describe the evidence that scientists use to show that the climate is changing.
Chapters 30 & 33: Anatomy and Physiology
Includes:
Chapter 30 Sections 30.1, 30.4
Chapter 33 Sections 33.1, 33.3
Vocabulary
Cell
Tissue
Epithelial tissue
Connective tissue
Nervous tissue
Muscle tissue
Organ
Organ system
Homeostasis
Feedback inhibition
Excretion
Skin
Lungs
Liver
Kidneys
Ureters
Urinary bladder
Urethra
Heart
Myocardium
Atrium
Ventricle
Valves
Pulmonary circulation
Systemic circulation
Sinoatrial (SA) node/pacemaker
Atrioventricular (AV) node
Arteries
Capillaries
Veins
Blood
Plasma
Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
White blood cells (leukocytes)
Platelets
Blood pressure
Systolic pressure
Diastolic pressure
Cholesterol
Atherosclerosis
Heart attack
Stroke
Nose
Pharynx
Trachea
Larynx
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli
Hemoglobin
Diaphragm
Inhalation
Exhalation
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
Lung cancer
Concepts
1. List and describe the four tissue types.
2. Explain feedback inhibition (negative feedback loop), and give an example.
3. Either list the steps or diagram the flow of blood through the heart. Know all the relevant chambers, valves,
arteries, and veins in order.
4. Describe the process of the heartbeat.
5. Describe the three types of blood vessels.
6. Know what blood plasma contains.
7. Know the three types of blood cells and their functions.
8. Describe what causes blood pressure, and indicate a “good” blood pressure reading.
9. Give some examples of circulatory disease and their causes.
10. Trace the pathway that air takes in and out of the body during breathing, and indicate how the diaphragm
and rib muscles are involved.
11. Explain what happens during gas exchange in the lungs.
12. Give some examples of respiratory disease, and their causes.