Name: ___________________________________ Period: _____
Keystone Study Guide
MODULE 1
UNIT 1 Basic Biological Principles
BIO.A.1 - Basic Biological Principles
Anchor Descriptors:
BIO.A.1.

1. Explain the characteristics common to all organisms.

Describe the characteristics of life shared by all prokaryotic and eukaryotic
organisms.
BIO.A.1.

2. Describe relationships between structure and function at biological levels
of organization.


Compare cellular structures and their functions in prokaryotic and eukaryotic
cells.
Describe and interpret relationships between structure and function at various
levels of biological organization (i.e., organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ
systems, and multicellular organisms).

Describe
the characteristics of life shared by all prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Make

a Venn Diagram comparing the cellular structures of prokaryotic cells to eukaryotic
cells.
1
Compare cellular structures and their functions in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Briefly describe the function of each of the following organelles:
Nucleus:____________________________________________________________________
Nucleolus:___________________________________________________________________
Mitochondria:________________________________________________________________
Golgi Apparatus:______________________________________________________________
Cell
Membrane:_______________________________________________________________
Cell
Wall:____________________________________________________________________
Endoplasmic Reticulum (Also, how does Rough ER differ from Smooth ER?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Ribosomes:__________________________________________________________________
Vacuole:____________________________________________________________________
Lysosomes:
___________________________________________________________________________
Centrioles:
___________________________________________________________________________
Chloroplasts:_________________________________________________________________
Cytoplasm:__________________________________________________________________
Cytoskeleton:________________________________________________________________
2
Place the following levels of organization in order from smallest to largest: organ systems,
cells, organelles, tissues, organisms, communities, biomes, ecosystems, biosphere, populations
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Describe how these levels of organization are related with regards to structure and function
from unicellular organisms to multicellular organisms.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
UNIT 2 The Chemical Basis for Life
BIO.A.2 - The Chemical Basis for Life
Anchor Descriptors:
BIO.A.2.

1. Describe how the unique properties of water support life on Earth.

Describe the unique properties of water and how these properties support life
on Earth (e.g., freezing point, high specific heat, cohesion).
BIO.A.2.

2. Describe and interpret relationships between structure and function at
various levels of biochemical organization (i.e., atoms, molecules, and
macromolecules).



Explain how carbon is uniquely suited to form biological macromolecules.
Describe how biological macromolecules form from monomers.
Compare the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and
nucleic acids in organisms.
BIO.A.2.

3. Explain how enzymes regulate biochemical reactions within a cell.


Describe the role of an enzyme as a catalyst in regulating a specific
biochemical reaction.
Explain how factors such as pH, temperature, and concentration levels can
affect enzyme function.
3
How do the following properties of water support life on Earth?
Freezing point:_________________________________________________________________
High specific heat:______________________________________________________________
Cohesion:_____________________________________________________________________
Adhesion:_____________________________________________________________________
 are carbon atoms uniquely suited to form biological macromolecules?
How
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Fill in the table below about macromolecules:
Organic
Atoms/Elements
Compounds/Polymers
composed of
Monomers
Main Functions
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids

Explain how macromolecules are formed or broken down, identify which is a catabolic
process and which is an anabolic process (hint: review dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis).
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
4
How and where is energy released and stored in molecules?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How do enzymes assist in biochemical reactions? Do all enzymes work in all reactions?
Explain.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How do pH, temperature, and concentrations of enzymes affect enzyme function?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
UNIT 3 Bioenergetics: Cells and Cell Processes
BIO.A.3 - Cells and Cell Processes (Bioenergetics)
Anchor Descriptors:
BIO.A.3.

1. Identify and describe the cell structures involved in processing energy.

Describe the fundamental roles of plastids (e.g., chloroplasts) and mitochondria
in energy transformations.
BIO.A.3.

2. Identify and describe how organisms obtain and transform energy for their
life processes.


Compare the basic transformation of energy during photosynthesis and cellular
respiration.
Describe the role of ATP in biochemical reactions.
5

Describe
the role of plastids (e.g., chloroplasts) in energy transformation within cells.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Describe the role of mitochondria in energy transformation within cells.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Compare and contrast photosynthesis and cellular respiration in terms of energy
transformation.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
What role does ATP play in biochemical reactions?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
UNIT 4 Homeostasis and Cell Transport
BIO.A.4 - Homeostasis and Cell Transport
Anchor Descriptors:
BIO.A.4.

1. Identify and describe the cell structures involved in transport of materials
into, out of, and throughout a cell.



Describe how the structure of the plasma membrane allows it to function as a
regulatory structure and/or protective barrier for a cell.
Compare the mechanisms that transport materials across the plasma
membrane (i.e., passive transport—diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion; and
active transport—pumps, endocytosis, exocytosis).
Describe how membrane-bound cellular organelles (e.g., endoplasmic
reticulum, Golgi apparatus) facilitate the transport of materials within a cell.
BIO.A.4.

2. Explain mechanisms that permit organisms to maintain biological balance
between their internal and external environments.

Explain how organisms maintain homeostasis (e.g., thermoregulation, water
regulation, oxygen regulation).
6
How does the structure of the plasma membrane allow it to function as a regulatory structure
and/or protective barrier for the cell?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
 do membrane-bound organelles (e.g., endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus) facilitate
How
the transport of materials within a cell?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Describe the following processes of cell transport and structures involved
Passive Transport:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Diffusion:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Osmosis:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Facilitated Diffusion:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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Active Transport:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Pumps:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Endocytosis:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Exocytosis:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Explain how organisms maintain homeostasis through the following processes:
Thermoregulation:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Water regulation (osmoregulation):
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Oxygen regulation:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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MODULE 2
UNIT 5 Cell Growth and Reproduction
BIO.B.1 - Cell Growth and Reproduction
Anchor Descriptors:
BIO.B.1.

1. Describe the three stages of the cell cycle: interphase, nuclear division,
cytokinesis.


Describe the events that occur during the cell cycle: interphase, nuclear
division (i.e., mitosis or meiosis), cytokinesis.
Compare the processes and outcomes of mitotic and meiotic nuclear divisions.
BIO.B.1.

2. Explain how genetic information is inherited.


Describe how the process of DNA replication results in the transmission and/or
conservation of genetic information.
Explain the functional relationships between DNA, genes, alleles, and
chromosomes and their roles in inheritance.
Describe the events that occur during each of the following phases of the cell cycle:
Interphase (G1, S, G2 phases):
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
M phases
Mitosis (body cells):
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Meiosis (sex cells):
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________________
Make a Venn Diagram below comparing the processes and outcomes of mitotic and meiotic
nuclear divisions.
Describe

how the process of DNA replication results in the transmission and/or conservation of
genetic information.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Explain why DNA replication is a semi-conservative process.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Explain the functional relationships between DNA, genes, alleles, and chromosomes and their
roles in inheritance.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________________
UNIT 6 Genetics
BIO.B.2 - Genetics
Anchor Descriptors:
BIO.B.2.

1. Compare Mendelian and non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance.


Describe and/or predict observed patterns of inheritance (i.e., dominant,
recessive, co-dominance, incomplete dominance, sex-linked, polygenic, and
multiple alleles).
Describe processes that can alter composition or number of chromosomes
(i.e., crossing-over, nondisjunction, duplication, translocation, deletion,
insertion, and inversion).
BIO.B.2.

2. Explain the process of protein synthesis (i.e., transcription, translation,
and protein modification).


Describe how the processes of transcription and translation are similar in all
organisms.
Describe the role of ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and
the nucleus in the production of specific types of proteins.
BIO.B.2.

3. Explain how genetic information is expressed.

Describe how genetic mutations alter the DNA sequence and may or may not
affect phenotype (e.g., silent, nonsense, frame-shift).
BIO.B.2. 4. Apply scientific thinking, processes, tools, and technologies in the study of
genetics.
Explain how genetic engineering has impacted the fields of medicine, forensics, and
agriculture (e.g., selective breeding, gene splicing, cloning, genetically modified
organisms, gene therapy).
Describe the following patterns of inheritance:
Dominant:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Recessive:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Homozygous: _________________________________________________________________
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Heterozygous: _________________________________________________________________
Codominance:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Incomplete Dominance:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Sex-linked:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Polygenic Trait:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Multiple Alleles (example: ABO blood types):
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Describe the following processes and how they can alter composition or number of
chromosomes:
Crossing-over:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Nondisjunction:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Duplication:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Translocation:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Deletion:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Insertion:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Inversion:
_____________________________________________________________________________
12
 the processes of transcription and translation are similar in all organisms?
How
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Describe the role of the following organelles in the production (synthesis) of proteins:
Ribosomes:
____________________________________________________________________________
Endoplasmic Reticulum:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Golgi Apparatus:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Nucleus:
____________________________________________________________________________
Genetic Expression
Point Mutations…
 do silent mutations alter the DNA sequence in an organism?
How
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How do nonsense mutations alter the DNA sequence?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How do missense mutations alter the DNA sequence?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
For each of the 3 types of mutations above, describe how they may or may not affect the
phenotype of an organism.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
13
How do frame-shift mutations alter the DNA sequence?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How has genetic engineering impacted the fields of medicine, forensics, and agriculture? Be
sure to mention each of the following:
Selective breeding:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Gene splicing:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Cloning:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Genetically modified organisms:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Gene Therapy:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Explain how all of the above have impacted/changed the fields of medicine, forensics, and
agriculture.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
14
UNIT 7 Evolution
BIO.B.3 - Theory of Evolution
Anchor Descriptors:
BIO.B.3.

1. Explain the mechanisms of evolution.



Explain how natural selection can impact allele frequencies of a population.
Describe the factors that can contribute to the development of new species
(e.g., isolating mechanisms, genetic drift, founder effect, migration).
Explain how genetic mutations may result in genotypic and phenotypic
variations within a population.
BIO.B.3.

2. Analyze the sources of evidence for biological evolution.

Interpret evidence supporting the theory of evolution (i.e., fossil, anatomical,
physiological, embryological, biochemical, and universal genetic code).
BIO.B.3.

3. Apply scientific thinking, processes, tools, and technologies in the study
of the theory of evolution.

Distinguish between the scientific terms: hypothesis, inference, law, theory,
principle, fact, and observation.
Explain how natural selection works to cause evolutionary changes.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How does natural selection change the allele frequencies within a population?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Name and describe the other four forces that can cause changes in allele frequencies within a
population.
(1) _______________________________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________
(2) _______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(3) _______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(4) _______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Explain how new species can form in the following circumstances:
Isolating Mechanisms
Geographic Isolation:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Reproductive Isolation:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Genetic Drift
Bottleneck Effect:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Founder Effect:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Explain how genetic mutations may results in genotypic and phenotypic changes/variations
within a population.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
16
____________________________________________________________________________
Explain how the Theory of Evolution is supported by the following types of evidence:
Fossils:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Comparative anatomy:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Comparative embryology:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Comparisons of Biological Molecules (Mostly DNA):
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Be able to explain how inferences, observations, hypotheses, facts, principles, laws, and
theories were are all applied to scientific thinking, processes, evaluation of tools and
technology in the development of the Theory of Evolution.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
17
UNIT 8 Ecology
BIO.B.4 - Ecology
Anchor Descriptors:
BIO.B.4.

1. Describe ecological levels of organization in the biosphere.


Describe the levels of ecological organization (i.e., organism, population,
community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere).
Describe characteristic biotic and abiotic components of aquatic and terrestrial
ecosystems.
BIO.B.4.

2. Describe interactions and relationships in an ecosystem.





Describe how energy flows through an ecosystem (e.g., food chains, food
webs, energy pyramids).
Describe biotic interactions in an ecosystem (e.g., competition, predation,
symbiosis).
Describe how matter recycles through an ecosystem (i.e., water cycle, carbon
cycle, oxygen cycle, and nitrogen cycle).
Describe how ecosystems change in response to natural and human
disturbances (e.g., climate changes, introduction of nonnative species,
pollution, fires).
Describe the effects of limiting factors on population dynamics and potential
species extinction.
Describe the following levels of ecological organization:
Organism:
____________________________________________________________________________
Population:
____________________________________________________________________________
Community:
____________________________________________________________________________
Ecosystem:
____________________________________________________________________________
Biome:
____________________________________________________________________________
Biosphere:
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____________________________________________________________________________
Biotic and Abiotic
Which biotic and abiotic components are characteristic of aquatic ecosystems?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Which biotic and abiotic components are characteristic of terrestrial ecosystems?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Ecological Energy Flow
How do food chains show energy flow through an ecosystem?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How do food webs differ from food chains in how they show energy flow through an
ecosystem?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Explain what an energy pyramid shows.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Ecological Biotic Interactions
Distinguish between competition and predation.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
19
____________________________________________________________________________
How do the following symbiotic relationships differ from each other?
Mutualism, commensalism, parasitism:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Recycling Matter
How does matter flow through an ecosystem through the water cycle?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How does matter flow through an ecosystem through the carbon cycle?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How does matter flow through an ecosystem through the oxygen cycle?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How does matter flow through an ecosystem through the nitrogen cycle?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Natural and Human Disturbances
Describe how climate changes affect ecosystems.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
20
____________________________________________________________________________
How does the introduction of nonnative (invasive) species impact ecosystems?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Explain how pollution changes ecosystems.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How do fires affect ecosystems?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Limiting Factors
Describe the effects of limiting factors on population dynamics and potential species extinction.
Density-Dependent Factors:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Density-Independent Factors:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
GOOD LUCK
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