What This Document Is
This document is a study guide designed to help students prepare for Test One in BIO 110, Introductory Biology: Cells & Molecules at Eastern Michigan University. It summarizes key concepts related to the scientific method, the building blocks of life (macromolecules), and the fundamental unit of life – the cell. It’s intended as a review tool, not a replacement for lectures, readings, or laboratory work.
Why This Document Matters
This study guide is valuable for students enrolled in BIO 110 who are looking for a concise overview of the material covered on the first exam. It’s most useful during the exam preparation phase, helping students identify areas to focus on and reinforcing core principles. It exists to streamline your studying by highlighting the most important topics the instructor expects you to know.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This study guide provides a summary, and therefore does *not* contain the full depth of explanation found in the course materials. It won’t teach you the concepts if you are unfamiliar with them, nor will it provide practice problems or detailed examples. It is a starting point for review, and further study of your notes and textbook is essential. It does not include all possible exam questions.
What This Document Provides
This study guide includes:
* An overview of the scientific method, including variables (independent and dependent), hypothesis formation, controls (negative and positive), and the nature of scientific theories.
* A summary of the four major classes of macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
* A comparison of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, focusing on key structural differences.
* An explanation of cell theory and the reasons for its acceptance (specifically addressing spontaneous generation).
* Definitions of key terms like genome and proteome, and their relationship.
* Details on dehydration and hydrolysis reactions.
* Information on the structure and function of carbohydrates (monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides) and lipids (triglycerides, saturated/unsaturated fats, phospholipids, cholesterol).
* An introduction to protein structure (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary) and amino acids.
* A brief introduction to nucleic acids.
This preview does *not* include detailed explanations of metabolic pathways, specific enzyme functions, or in-depth coverage of cellular organelles. It also does not contain practice questions or detailed diagrams.
