BIOL241: Exam 1 Objectives
The objectives for each exam are designed to give you a list of learning outcomes for the relevant chapters, and to serve as a study
guide. They cover most of the things you need to know; however, they are not exhaustive.
1. Define anatomy and physiology. Identify the levels of organization found in the human body, from the chemical level to the
organism.
2. Explain the principle of complementarity, or ‘form fits function’.
3. Define homeostasis. Understand negative and positive feedback loops.
4. Identify the three subatomic particles. Know their respective locations within an atom, and electrical charges.
5. Understand ionic, covalent, polar covalent, and hydrogen bonds. Be able to give an example of each.
6. Define solute, solvent, solution. Explain why water is considered a good solvent.
7. Understand the difference between hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances.
8. Define an acid and a base. What is pH a measure of? Understand the pH scale, state a typical pH value for a strong acid, a strong
base, and a neutral solution.
9. Describe the chemical characteristics and cellular functions of the following organic compounds: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins,
and nucleic acids (and ATP). Be able to identify the compounds by structure.
10. Identify examples of: simple sugars, double sugars, complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides), lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
(and ATP). State the basic function(s) of each of these classes of molecules/macromolecules.
11. Define an enzyme. Describe the role of enzymes in metabolism.
12. Describe the properties of cell membranes including composition, structure, function, and the fluid mosaic model. Be able to give
examples of some of the functions of membrane proteins.
13. Understand membrane transport. Describe the processes of passive transport (simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis),
active transport, endocytosis (pinocytosis and phagocytosis), and exocytosis. What are the factors that determine if a particle can
diffuse through the plasma membrane or not?
14. Define and explain the terms: hypotonic, hypertonic, isotonic, hemolysis, and crenation. Explain the importance of these terms
with respect to cells
15. Describe the location, structure, and function of each of the following organelles/structures: nucleus, nucleolus, endoplasmic
reticulum (rough and smooth), Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, lysosomes, ribosomes, centrioles, cilia, flagella, and microvilli.
Identify the 3 major cytoskeletal fibers. Be able to identify all of the above organelles/structures in a diagram, on a model, or in a
micrograph.
16. Diagram the cell cycle and explain the key events in each phase: G 1, S, G2, and M (mitotic) phase. What is the G0 phase?
17. Diagram and state the stages of mitosis and cytokinesis, and describe the events that occur in each stage. Be able to recognize (or
sketch) a cell in each phase of mitosis.
18. Understand the processes of DNA replication and transcription, including the KEY enzymes required.
19. Describe how proteins are synthesized including the role of mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, amino acids, and the ribosomes. Discuss the
nature and the importance of the genetic code.
21. Understand the 4 major tissue types and their general functions. Know the structure of the different subtypes of each tissue group
(simple squamous epithelium, stratified squamous, etc.) as well as the function and location for each!! Be able to identify tissue types
from slides.
22. Know the different cell and fiber types for the connective tissue subtypes. Understand why blood is a unique type of connective
tissue.
23. Know the different types of glands and where they can be found. Be able to give examples.
24. Understand the different types of epithelial membranes.
25. Describe the functions of skin and explain how the skin performs each of the functions.
26. Describe the structure of skin (epidermis and dermis) and know the structure and function of the following: basal cells,
keratinocytes, keratin, melanocytes, melanosomes, epidermal dendritic cells (aka Langerhans cells), tactile (aka Merkel) cells,
27. Understand the structure and function of the different layers of the epidermis: the stratum basale (germinativum), spinosum,
granulosum, lucidum, corneum,
28. Understand the structure and function of the different layers of dermis (papillary and reticular layers), and the hypodermis
(subcutaneous layer).
29. Describe the origins of skin color and the effects of UV radiation on the skin. Explain why there is so much variation in human
skin color. Differentiate basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
30. Understand the functions of the accessory structures of the skin: hair, hair follicles, nails, sweat glands (apocrine and merocrine)
sebaceous glands and follicles, and ceruminous glands.
31. Understand the specific dangers that burn victims are likely to suffer from. Differentiate between first, second and third degree
burns and know the suggested treatment for each. Define partial thickness burn and full thickness burn. What is the rule of nines?
32. Be able to identify major bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton (see Ch7 and bone list)