Midterm Study Guide – Wednesday (12/16) @ 8:30am (C Block in C-1 & D Block in C-3)
Chapter 1 (p. 1-16; 25-27)
1.
Differentiate between eukaryotic & prokaryotic cells; know 4 things that all cells have (also in Ch 6)
2.
Know 3 domains & 6 kingdoms; what each contains, type of cell that makes up group (also in Ch 6)
3.
Know taxonomic hierarchy (Domain, Kingdom, Phylum…)
4.
Be able to identify positive/negative feedback systems
Chapter 2 (p. 30-34; 38-45)
5.
Define matter, elements, atoms, compounds, trace elements, radioactive isotope, chemical equilibrium
6.
Know 3 subatomic particles (& valence electrons); predict numbers of subatomic particles
7.
Be able to discern the difference between two isotopes (e.g.
12
C &
14
C)
8.
Know the two types of ions (cations & anions), predict type of ion an element forms
9.
Know difference between 4 bond/interaction types; which are strongest a.
Covalent – sharing of electrons i.
Non-polar covalent – sharing of electrons is equal (e.g. carbon dioxide) ii.
Polar covalent – unequal sharing due to one atom being more electronegative (e.g. water) b.
Ionic – formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another (e.g. sodium chloride) i.
Define electronegativity; which elements have greatest electronegativity c.
Know what a hydrogen bond is, why it forms, who it forms between d.
van der Waals Interactions – weakest interaction
Chapter 3 (p. 46-57)
10.
Know the 4 emergent properties of water & why they occur, define hydrophilic/hydrophobic
11.
Define acid & base (how H
+
affected), pH scale; predict pH changes w/ & w/o buffers (carbonic acid)
Chapter 4 (p. 58-59; 61-hydrocarbons; 63-67)
12.
Define/recognize organic molecules, hydrocarbons, & 7 functional groups (p. 64-65)
13.
Know characteristics of ATP; how it stores energy
Chapter 5 (p. 68-90)
14.
Define polymer/monomer; which classes form polymers; describe dehydration & hydrolysis reactions
15.
Lipids: a.
Discuss functions/characteristics of lipids (fat, phospholipid, steroid, ester linkage) b.
Describe structure of fats; why hydrophobic; difference b/w saturated & unsaturated fatty acids c.
Describe structure of phospholipids (amphipathic)
16.
Carbohydrates a.
Discuss functions/characteristics of carbs b.
Define mono-, di-, polysaccharide, glycosidic linkage c.
Discuss characteristics of starch, glycogen, cellulose, glucose
17.
Proteins a.
Discuss functions/characteristics of proteins b.
Describe general amino acid structure c.
Define polypeptide, peptide bond, denaturation, chaperonin; know 4 levels of protein folding
18.
Nucleic Acids a.
Discuss characteristics of DNA & RNA (know differences) b.
Know 3 parts of a nucleotide & 5 bases (A,G,T,C,U); complementary pairs

Chapter 6 (p. 94-124)
19.
Know description/functions of nucleus, nuclear envelope, chromosomes, chromatin, nucleolus
20.
Know how ribosome is formed, what it’s made of; where located; define transcription & translation
21.
Name structures of endomembrane system & how system works a.
Know difference b/w two types of ER & what their functions are b.
Know structure of Golgi (two faces), its functions c.
Discuss lysosome function (autophagy & phagocytosis) d.
Know the three vacuoles & what each does
22.
Describe structure & function of mitochondrion, chloroplast, & peroxisomes
23.
Discuss what cytoskeleton is; distinguish b/w three fibers of cytoskeleton; roles of each a.
Describe general interaction b/w dynein & microtubules b.
Describe general interaction b/w myosin & microfilaments
24.
Know what a cell wall is, composition of plants/fungi, function
25.
Discuss structure/function of ECM & four intercellular junctions (who has them)
Chapter 7 (p 125-140; 768-771 on water potential)
26.
Know different molecules that make up cell membrane (functions/characteristics); characteristics of molecules that pass freely across membrane versus which need help
27.
Understand fluidity of membrane (movement of PLs, temp effect, cholesterol’s role, fatty acid’s role)
28.
Define & give functions of integral & peripheral proteins, glycoprotein & glycolipid
29.
Know two types of transport proteins (carrier & channel) & how each works
30.
Define/understand diffusion, concentration gradient, & passive transport
31.
Understand how osmosis works, water potential, know about aquaporin
32.
Know isotonic, hypertonic, hypotonic & what happens to cell (w/ & w/o cell walls) when placed in different solutions; know lyse (lysis), turgid, flaccid, plasmolyze
33.
Understand facilitated diffusion & active transport
34.
Describe 2 electrogenic pumps work & purpose (Na
+
-K
+
& Proton pumps); how cotransport works
35.
Describe functions of exocytosis, endocytosis, phagocytosis, pinocytosis, receptor-mediated endocytosis
Chapter 22 (p. 452-468)
36.
Understand what fossils are and where they appear
37.
Know adaptive traits (adaptations) –vs- maladaptive trait
38.
Know/understand Darwin’s 4 observations & 2 inferences (pg 458); Discuss steps to evolution
(mutate, natural selection, evolution); Read Natural Selection: A Summary (pg 459)
39.
Describe the three types of natural selection (directional, stabilizing, disruptive)
40.
Understand/recognize artificial selection
41.
Know difference b/w homologous/vestigial/analogous structures
Chapter 25 (p. 507-525; skip sections 25.5 &25.6)
42.
Recognize why fossil record is incomplete & why some species are better represented in fossil record
43.
Know what radiometric dating is & how to use half life to determine age of fossils
44.
Know the 3 eons of geologic time & what appears in each, which organisms colonized land first
45.
Understand what a stromatolite is & their significance
46.
Define continental drift & know structure of earth (core, mantle, crust. etc.)
47.
Describe different plate boundaries & what happens at each
48.
Define mass extinction; know 3 periods (Paleo-, Meso-, Cenozoic) of Phanerozoic eon & about
Permian & Cretaceous extinction (which periods they separate, types of dead animals, cause)

Chapter 26 (p. 536-543; 549-554)
49.
Define phylogeny & taxonomy (know binomial naming & biological hierarchy)
50.
Read a phylogenetic tree, info it can/can’t give, recognize branch points, sister taxa, polytomy
Chapter 52 (p. 1144-1168)
51.
Define/recognize organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere
52.
Define weather & climate; know characteristics of troposphere
53.
Describe uneven heating of Earth’s surface by the sun, convection, & albedo (what has highest value)
54.
Describe greenhouse effect & know greenhouse gases (also in Ch 55)
55.
Describe cause of seasons (where Earth is in regards to sun at different times; which season it is)
56.
Understand convection circulation; describe effects of global convection cells (Hadley, Ferrel, & Polar)
57.
Describe effects mountains have on temp & rainfall (rain shadow effect)
58.
Discuss/recognize generalized aquatic life (phytoplankton, zooplankton, nekton, benthos,decomposer)
59.
Describe characteristics of aquatic biomes (see outline) a.
Marine Environments i.
Estuaries ii.
Coastal Wetlands (salt marsh & mangrove forest) iii.
Intertidal Zone iv.
Coral Reefs (describe mutualistic relationship b/w coral & zooxanthellae) v.
Open Ocean (euphotic, bathyal, abyssal, & benthic zones) b.
Freshwater Environments i.
Lakes (oligotrophic, eutrophic; littoral, limnetic, profundal, & benthic zones) ii.
Rivers (know watershed [or basin], floodplain, riparian, tributary) iii.
Freshwater Wetlands (marsh, swamp, bog)
60.
Discuss characteristics of land biomes (see outline) a.
Deserts (Tropical, Temperate, Cold) b.
Grasslands (Savanna, Temperate Grassland, Arctic Tundra) c.
Chaparral d.
Forests (Tropical Rain Forest, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Coniferous Forest)
Chapter 53 (p. 1170 – 1192)
61.
Know three types of dispersion; three types of survivorship curves & their characteristics
62.
Calculate total & natural growth rate; total changes (births, deaths, etc.); ‘Rule of 70’ (MATH)
63.
Define carrying capacity; know differences b/w K-selection & r-selection, exponential growth (Jcurve), & logistic growth (S-curve)
64.
Define/recognize density dependent & density independent factors
65.
Read an age structure pyramid & predict future growth
66.
Discuss steps/reasons for demographic transition
Chapter 54 (p. 1194-1216)
67.
Describe/recognize what ecological niche is (fundamental & realized); generalist & specialist species
68.
Discuss/recognize types of intraspecific & interspecific interactions (competition, predation, symbiosis, parasitism, mutualism, commensalism) & competitive exclusion theory
69.
Describe adaptations of prey (coloration & mimicry) & predators; define coevolution
70.
Understand trophic level feeding (different levels of organisms), food chains, food webs
71.
Recognize what a disturbance is & describe process of primary & secondary terrestrial succession
(characteristics of pioneer species, early, mid, & late successional/climax plants)

Chapter 55 (p. 1218-1231, skip 55.5; 1254-1259)
72.
Understand the three physical laws (1 st & 2 nd laws of thermodynamics, & conservation of mass)
73.
Define/understand trophic level feeding, food webs, food chains, GPP, NPP, limiting factors & trophic efficiency
74.
Know four biogeochemical cycles (Water, Carbon, Phosphorus, Nitrogen): a.
biological importance of nutrient b.
form available to life c.
largest reservoir d.
key processes in cycle e.
human impact f.
Other general info for cycles: water properties & causes; eutrophication & process causing dead zones; assimilation
75.
Discuss causes & effects of acid deposition & ozone depletion (Montreal Protocol)
76.
Explain bioaccumulation & biomagnification
77.
Understand the various ways climate is studied (ice cores, sediment analysis, direct sampling-know keeling curve, computer models-how they’re used)
78.
Discuss IPCC Report (understand trends, ideas, hypothesized causes & effects)
Short Answer Topics
79.
Population Ecology a.
Read & describe a population growth curve b.
Discuss limiting factors of a population c.
Explain r-selected & K-selected reproductive strategies
80.
Proteins a.
Describe structure & protein folding b.
Discuss roles of DNA & RNA in proteins c.
Discuss function of proteins in membrane structure & transport