Part A
- Five themes that we study in biology (know an example of each)
-Characteristics of all organisms
-Why emergent properties and reductionism helps scientists understand complex systems? (advantages and limitations)
-Levels of biological organization (be able to go from largest to smallest and vice versa; know an example of each)
-Why is the cell the lowest level of biological organization that can maintain life?
-Describe differences between eukaryotes and prokaryotes (at least three)
-Basic structure of DNA
-Why is DNA so important in biology?
-Know the three domains of life and why they are grouped the way they are
-Charles Darwin's key points from his Origins of Species book.
-What factors contribute to natural selection?
- Differences between inductive and deductive reasoning
-Steps involved in the scientific method (also keys to a good ex
Part B
- Key terms (make sure you can explain it in your own words, if necessary)
-Parts of an atom (and charge); what information about an element can you obtain from knowing the parts of the atom
-Distinguish atomic number from atomic mass
-Determine number of protons and neutrons in isotopes
-How electrons are important for interactions between atoms
-How to determine # of valence electrons and the valence for an atom
-Types of bonds (covalent, ionic, hydrogen); Van der Waals interactions
-Recognize different ways to show how electrons are arranged (i.e. structural, molecular, Lewis-dot, electron diagram)
-How electronegativity affects interactions between atoms (hint: nonpolar vs polar bonds)
-How ionic bonds are formed (difference between starting material and ending material)
-Redox reactions (what is oxidized and what is reduced)
-Properties of water that make it a good solvent
-Distinguish between acids and bases; what does pH measure?