2107 Study Guide I (Spring 2009)
Chapter 1: Exploring Life
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Know the hierarchy of structural levels in the biological organization of life from most inclusive
to most exclusive.
o Given a description of one of the levels be able to identify it or vice versa.
Be able to explain emergent properties and give an example.
Explain a reductionist approach to science and the problems associated with it.
Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Be able to list and describe each of the 7 common features of life.
Explain how organisms interact with living and non-living components in their environment.
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Explain the difference between producers, consumers, and decomposers.
Recognize the basic structure of DNA.
Distinguish between positive and negative feedback.
Know the various taxons used to classify and organize organisms.
Know the 3 Domains of life and the cell type for each.
Describe the observations and inferences that led Charles Darwin to his theory of evolution by
natural selection.
Be familiar with the two examples of evolution discussed in class.
Distinguish between discovery science and hypothesis-based science.
List the steps of the scientific method.
Know the limits of the scientific method/science.
Chapter 2: The Chemical Basis of Life
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Be able to distinguish between and explain the connections between matter, elements, atoms,
subatomic particles, and molecules.
Know the 4 elements that compose 96% of living matter.
Be able to extract the above information from a periodic table.
Be able to describe a biological application that uses radioactive isotopes.
Be able to draw and label electron shell models of any given atom.
Be able to explain the importance and the role of electrons.
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Explain how valence electrons affect the activity of an atom.
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Explain the amounts of energy associated with the first electron shell as compared to
electrons in an outer shell.
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Know where an orbital can be found and the max number of electrons found in each.
Distinguish between covalent and ionic bonds and be able to give an example of a molecule
demonstration each.
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Explain the differences between a non-polar and polar covalent bond.
Name and describe the components of a chemical reaction.
Chapter 3: Water
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Describe the structure of a water molecule and how its structure affects its characteristics.
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Explain how water molecules are attracted together.
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Know the characteristics of water that are emergent properties as a result of hydrogen bonding.
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Distinguish between adhesion, cohesion, and surface tension
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Distinguish between heat and temperature and the relationship with molecule movement
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List a phenomena that is associated with each
How the properties of water contribute to coastal climates
Explain heat’s connection with making and breaking hydrogen bonds.