Fall Midterm Review (OnRamps Biology)

Front

What is the primary level of protein structure?

Back

The primary level of protein structure refers to the linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, held together by peptide bonds.

Front

What is the independent variable in an experiment?

Back

The independent variable is the factor that is manipulated or changed in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable. In the context of bacterial growth, it is the temperature.

Front

What are substrates in a biochemical reaction?

Back

Substrates are the reactants that enzymes act upon in a biochemical reaction.

Front

Which functional groups characterize an amino acid?

Back

Amino acids are characterized by the presence of an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH).

Front

If 10% of a DNA sample is made up of cytosine, what percentage is made up of thymine?

Back

40%. According to Chargaff's rules, the amount of thymine is equal to the amount of adenine, and the amount of cytosine is equal to the amount of guanine.

Front

What is the role of enzymes in biological reactions?

Back

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

Front

Define homeostasis in biological systems.

Back

Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Front

What is the function of ribosomes in a cell?

Back

Ribosomes are the cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis, translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains.

Front

What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Back

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and are more complex.

Front

What is the significance of the cell membrane?

Back

The cell membrane regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell, maintaining homeostasis and protecting the cell's internal environment.