Mid-term Exam
Review Problems – Level 1
Introduction to biology:
1. Identify the characteristics of life, and be able to do the following:
a. Be able to identify all definitions and examples of each characteristic.
b. If given a description of a characteristic of life, be able to correctly identify it.
c. Be able to make comparisons between the 2 main types of reproduction.
d. Be able to explain the various levels of organization as seen in unicellular and multicellular
organisms.
e. Be able to explain the importance of adaptations to an organism’s survival.
f. Be able to compare the various mechanisms of acquiring energy
2. Explain the relationships between organisms based on their taxa – what taxa would distantlyrelated organisms share vs. what taxa would closely-related organisms share?
3. Name the taxa by which we classify all living things. Know the hierarchy of these taxa.
Scientific Method:
4.
Be able to explain what a hypothesis is.
5.
Be able to describe what we mean when we refer to a control group, and be able to explain its
importance to an experiment.
6. Be able to distinguish between a dependent and an independent variable.
Biochemistry:
7.
Calculate the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons for carbon, oxygen, and silicon (or any
given atom) using the information found in the periodic table.
8.
Be able to identify the properties of water, and be able to explain what is meant by polarity,
surface tension, and cohesion.
9. What is the difference between covalent, ionic, and hydrogen bonds?
10. What is the difference between hydrolysis and condensation synthesis/dehydration synthesis in
terms of building vs. breaking down molecules and what happens to water in each?
11. What is the distinction between the following terms: ion, atom, molecule, compound, and isotope?
12. Why do atoms form bonds with one another?
13. What is the difference between acids, bases, and neutral substances in terms of their pH range and
the concentration of hydrogen and hydroxide ions?
14. For each of the following organic compounds, identify examples, how they are used by organisms,
and their structure: lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids.
15. Be able to label pictures of any of the following: monosaccharide, disaccharide, polysaccharide,
lipid, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, saturated fat, glycerol, amino acid, dipeptide,
protein, peptide bond.
DNA and protein synthesis:
16. What is the significance of the Hershey-Chase experiment? How was it done?
17. Identify the discoveries of Wilkins and Franklin and Watson and Crick as they relate to the
structure of DNA.
18. Make a chart that compares DNA and RNA.
19. Explain what happens during DNA replication, and explain why it is important to the process of
cell division.
20. Describe the steps involved in protein synthesis. Be sure to mention transcription, translation,
tRNA, mRNA, codons, and anticodons.
21. If given a sequence of DNA, be able to figure out the complementary base pairs along the other
strand of DNA, the mRNA that would be made from it, along with the tRNA anticodons that would
pair with each mRNA codon.
22. Name the 3 parts of a nucleotide and know which part differs from one to the next.
23. What is a mutation, and what possible effects could it have on an organism?
24. Be able to label a diagram detailing the parts and processes involved in protein synthesis.
Cell reproduction:
25. Outline the steps involved during the phases of the cell cycle (interphase and mitosis).
26. Be able to label diagrams of the phases of the cell cycle, and all cell structures involved.
27. Compare the end result of mitosis and meiosis based on the number of cells produced and the
number of chromosomes of the parent and daughter cells.
28. What is the difference in the number of chromosomes in cells with the diploid number vs. the
haploid number? What types of cells would have each? Be sure to include the term “homologous
chromosome” in your explanation.
29. How are mitosis and cytokinesis different in plant cells and animal cells? Why is cytokinesis
different between the two?
30. Be able to identify the differences between normal cells and cancerous cells.
31. How do spermatogenesis and oogenesis compare?
32. State 3 reasons why there is so much variety in organisms that reproduce sexually.
33. Be able to explain how the processes of mitosis and meiosis are used throughout the course of the
human life cycle in terms of producing gametes, a zygote, and growth.
Genetics:
34. Give an example of the following genotypes: homozygous dominant, heterozygous, homozygous
recessive. Show punnett squares showing crosses for each to the others. State genotype and
phenotypes for offspring.
35. Define and give examples of the following: sex-linked traits, codominance, incomplete
dominance. Be able to solve problems for each type of inheritance. Be able to solve multiple
probability problems as well.
36. Explain how Mendel performed his experiments with pea plants, and be able to explain the results
he got for his F1 and F2 generations in terms of dominant and recessive traits.
37. What did Mendel mean by the laws of segregation and independent assortment? Explain each
using genotypes and/or phenotypes.
38. Define the following vocabulary terms: allele, phenotype, and genotype.
39. What is the significance of using a testcross?
40. What sex chromosomes are inherited for a male? For a female?
41. Explain how nondisjunction would occur during meiosis I or meiosis II, and how this affects the
number of chromosomes a person inherits.
42. Why would a karyotype be used? What could it indicate about a person?
43. What are some types of chromosomal mutations, and what happens to the genes on the
chromosomes for each?
Evolution:
44. Explain the types of evidence that we use to show how evolution occurs. Give an example for
each.
45. What is the significance of homologous structures? Of analogous structures? Vestigial structures?
46. What are fossils? What types of things can we learn about from fossils?
47. What is the significance of similar organisms on different continents?
48. What relationship can be inferred by organisms sharing similar DNA or proteins?
49. What is the gene pool? Changes in the gene pool would indicate what had occurred?
50. What five conditions must be met in order for the Hardy-Weinberg Law to apply? Are those
conditions ever met in nature?
51. Describe the process of natural selection. Be sure to discuss the role of variations, resources within
the environment, and fitness.
52. What is the difference between genetic drift and gene flow?
53. Name two pre-mating and two post-mating reproductive isolating mechanisms.
54. What is the difference between an adaptation and a variation?
55. What is needed for natural selection to occur?
56. How did Lamarck explain the larger necks of the giraffe?
57. What is the difference between coevolution, divergent evolution, and convergent evolution?
58. There are 3 ways that natural selection can act on a population: stabilizing, directional, and
disruptive selection. How are they different?