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BI 211 Study Objectives for Chapters 1-5
Chapter 1
 Distinguish between living and nonliving things by describing the features that characterize living organisms
 Construct a hierarchy of biological organization, from molecular to biosphere
 Summarize the importance of heritable information transfer in living systems: between species & inside
organisms
 Compare and contrast positive and negative feedback mechanisms and their importance in homeostasis
 Describe in general how nutrients and energy move within organisms and ecosystems
 Demonstrate the binomial system of nomenclature by Carolus Linneaus and be able to use an example to
classify domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species
 Identify the three domains and four kingdoms of living organisms and give examples of organisms assigned to
each group
 Give a brief overview of the theory of evolution and explain why it is the principal unifying concept in biology
 Design an experiment to test a given hypothesis, using the procedure and terminology of the scientific method
Chapters 2 & 3
 Compare the physical properties (mass and charge) and locations of electrons, protons, and neutrons;
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distinguish between the atomic number and the mass number of an element. Be able to use the periodic
table to determine the above items.
Explain what an isotope is and what radioisotopes are.
Define the term electron shell/level and orbital and explain how the number of valence electrons of an atom is
related to its chemical properties. Be able to draw an atom using the octet rule and diagram the electrons in
each orbital.
Distinguish among covalent bonds, ionic bonds, and hydrogen bonds. Compare them in terms of the
mechanisms by which they form and their relative bond strengths.
Understand the differences between atoms and ions and be able to determine proton and electron numbers for
both. (i.e. Na+ ion has how many protons? electrons?) What is a cation? An anion?
Describe electronegativity and how it impacts bonding (i.e. polar vs. nonpolar bonds)
Explain how hydrogen bonds between adjacent water molecules govern many of the properties of water—(for
example polarity, cohesion, etc.)
Describe patterns of chemical reactions. Be able to identify a synthesis reaction (and condensation reaction),
a decomposition reaction (and hydrolysis) and an exchange reaction.
In a chemical reaction, be able to identify products, reactants, and be able to balance basic equations!
Be able to diagram the structural formula of a given molecule. Example: what is the structural formula of CH4?
Hint: begin with Lewis structure, then fill in lines. Use atoms and molecules lab as a review.
How do you find molecular mass? What is a mole? How do you calculate molarity of a solution?
Describe what determines molecular shapes?
Describe the properties of water~ what makes it a good solvent? High specific heat? Surface Tension?
Define hydrophilic and hydrophobic
Describe the pH scale and contrast acids and bases and discuss their properties. What does pH indicate?
Describe the function of a buffer and its components.
Use this study guide, your textbook, lecture notes, and plenty of quality study time to properly prepare
for this exam.
Chapters 4 & 5
 Distinguish between organic and inorganic compounds
 Describe the properties of carbon that make it the central component of organic compounds
 Define the term isomer and distinguish among the three principal isomer types (structural, cis-trans,
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enantiomers)
Identify and describe the functional groups present in organic compounds, and describe their properties
Explain the relationship between monomers and polymers:
-why type of chemical reaction is associated with the building of polymers from monomers?
-what type of chemical reaction is associated with breaking the bonds of polymers?
List the four major classes of organic compounds (and their characteristics!) found in cells.
What is the characteristic empirical formula of carbohydrates? Be able to identify a carbohydrate molecule.
Distinguish among monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides (characteristics & examples)
How are lipids identified? Describe characteristics and biological functions of each and list all the major types
as described in class
What is a saturated (and trans) versus unsaturated fatty acid? What are the basic components of a neutral fat
(triglyceride)?
Be able to identify steroid chemical structure & distinguish among the types of steroids.
Give an overall description of the structure and functions of proteins
What type of monomer is the basic unit of a protein?
Describe the features that are shared by all amino acids, and know the chemical structure of an amino acid
(i.e. name the two functional groups associated with an amino acid)
What is an essential amino acid?
What type of bond links one amino acid to another?
Distinguish among the four levels of organization of protein molecules
Describe the three basic components of a nucleic acid. Name some nucleic acids and nucleotides, and
discuss the importance of these compounds in living organisms
List the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA
Which nitrogenous base is only found RNA and not DNA?
Explain complementary base-pairing and describe which bases readily base-pair with each other
What type of bond normally links two strands of DNA together?
Use this study guide, your textbook, lecture notes, and plenty of quality study time to properly prepare
for this exam.