MIDTERM 1 STUDY GUIDE
FORMAT AND LOGISTICS
Weighting: 10% of final grade
Timing: ONE attempt, 90 minutes (1 ½ hours) allowed***
Total Points: 70
Format:
o 30 multiple choice questions (1 point each)
o 1 matching question (10 points)
o 10 fill in the blanks questions with a provided word bank (1 point each)
o 5 multi-select questions (4 points each)
*** If you have an accommodation from CAL and require extra time, DO NOT START THE
TEST and contact your instructor first to set up your test with the appropriate time allotment.***
CONTENT STUDY TIPS:
Module 1: Intro and Scientific Method
-
Identify/list the characteristics of life
Given an example, identify independent and dependent variables
Definition and limits of a scientific theory
Nature of scientific experimentation and conclusions; overview scientific method
Module 2: Chemistry of Life and Macromolecules
-
What chemical bonds are and how they are formed; types of bonds and their
characteristics
Define isotope, matter, ion, atom, proton, neutron, electron
Special properties of water and their consequences (ice floating; painful belly flops, etc)
Understanding of pH scale (what is acidic, basic, neutral)
Define and apply hydrophilic; hydrophobic
How macromolecules are formed and broken down
For each macromolecule, know what the monomer is called (and for lipids: what are the
main components)
Different classes of lipids and their properties; saturated vs. unsaturated vs. trans fats
Different types of carbohydrates and their functions in plant or animal cells
Levels of protein structure: what each looks like, what kinds of forces/bonds hold
together EACH level
Compare and contrast RNA and DNA; overall DNA structure
Module 3: Cell Structure and Function
-
Cell organelles/parts and their functions
Compare and contrast: eukaryotic vs. prokaryotic cells; animal vs. plant cells
Explain how enzymes work (use terms like active site, substrate, competitive and noncompetitive inhibitor); label a diagram of an enzyme
Understand the fluid mosaic model of membranes; what are the functions of the
proteins; what substances can cross freely vs. not
Definitions of kinetic energy, potential energy, entropy
-
Compare and contrast types of transport across cell membranes (facilitated diffusion vs.
active transport, etc)
Apply principles of osmosis to a situation (hyper, hypo and isotonic environments)
Different types of cell junctions: where they are found and what the main function is for
each
Module 4: Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis
-
Inputs and outputs for each stage of respiration: glycolysis, citric acid cycle, electron
transport chain
Consequences and purposes of fermentation
Inputs and outputs for each stage of photosynthesis: Light reactions and Calvin cycle
Define heterotroph, autotroph
Parts of a leaf and chloroplast
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