Midterm Study Guide

Scientific method, Characteristics of Life & Energy • Know the characteristics of living things • Know the scientific method (steps) • Differentiate among hypothesis, theory and fact • Know the difference b/n qualitative and quantitative info • Know how to design an experiment (control, sample size, etc) • Know how to graph and where put the variables • Know how to differentiate b/n dependent and independent variable • Where does photosynthesis occur and what are the steps? • Where does cell respiration occur and what are the steps? • What are the overall equations of each? • What is ATP?

Ecology

• Distinguish b/n biotic and abiotic factors in the environment • Compare the different levels of biological organization (population, communities….) • Explain the difference b/n a niche and habitat • Compare different population interactions (predator-prey, symbiotic, parasites….) • Trophic levels •

Food webs & Food pyramids

• Geochemical cycles •

Population characteristics: geographic distribution, etc

• Three factors that affect population size • Distinguish b/n biomes •

Emigration: factors affecting

• Immigration: factors affecting • Factors affecting population size • J curve • Carrying capacity • Limiting factors (5 things) •

Density dependent and ind.: define and give examples

Chemistry • Atomic nucleus • Relate the particle structure of the atom to the identity of elements • Atomic mass and atomic number • Relate the formation of covalent and ionic chemical bonds to stability of atoms • Valence electrons • Polarity • Classify the variety of organic compounds • Polymers • Compare the structures of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) • Identify the effects of enzymes and how they function • Explain enzyme-substrate complex • Explain what affects enzymes • What is ATP? Where is energy stored?

Cell Biology • Identify the main ideas of the cell theory

• Describe how the plasma membrane functions based on its structure • Relate the function of the plasma membrane to the fluid mosaic model • Identify the structure and function of the parts of the typical eukaryotic cell • Explain the advantages of highly folded membranes in cells • Compare and contrast the structures of plant and animal cells • Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells • Explain the process of diffusion, carrier facilitated diffusion, and active transport and why they are important to cells • Provide an example of each (see bullet above) • Predict the effect of hypotonic, hypertonic and isotonic environment on a cell • What is the cell cycle • What is mitosis- give stages