Guaranteed Pass Solutions 2026-2027
Updated.
describe the basic functions all life forms must accomplish - Answer -response to
environmental stimuli & maintain homeostasis
-uptake and processing of nutrients/energy
-regulation
-growth and reproduction
compare and contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell types - Answer Prokaryotes:
-circular chromosomes, no nucleus, no organelles, 3.5 bya
-DNA concentrated in nucleoid
Eukaryotes:
-linear chromosomes, nucleus, organelles, 1.5 bya
-DNA concentrated in nucleus
Both:
-cellular function takes place in cytoplasm
-have plasma membrane & cell wall (optional in eukaryotes)
explain the importance of designing controlled experiments - Answer cancels the effects of
unwanted variables
describe the levels of biological organization from cell to biome - Answer atom -> molecule ->
organelle -> cell -> tissue -> organ -> organ system -> organism -> population -> community ->
ecosystem -> biosphere
compare/contrast discovery science and hypothesis-driven science - Answer Discovery
Science:
-Describes natural structure & processes
-Uses inductive reasoning (specific to general)
Hypothesis-driven science:
-Inquiry that asks a specific question
-Uses deductive reasoning (general to specific)
- If...Then...
,compare/contrast the concepts of hypothesis and scientific theory - Answer Hypothesis:
-Tentative answer to a well framed question
-Must be testable
-Must be falsifiable
-Can never be proven, only supported or refuted
Theory:
-A tested and confirmed explanation for observations of phenomenon
-Broad in scope
-Generates new hypotheses
-Supported by a large body of evidence
-Constantly being challenged, tested, and modified as new information is obtained
explain the 2 main point of darwins "on the origin of species" - Answer 1) Descent with
modification: Genetics
2) Natural selection: Ecology
draw a diagram of an atom and label the parts - Answer Nucleus: Positively charged protons,
no charge neutrons
Electron Cloud: Negatively charged electrons
explain how the structure of atoms changes as you move through the periodic table - Answer
-As the atomic number increases so does mass, number of protons,
-Moving down the periodic table adds a valence shell
-Moving right adds valence electrons
explain how isotopes differ from each other and how they can be used in biology - Answer -
Isotopes of a given element differ in the number of neutrons in the nucleus, but have the same
number of protons
-Isotopes can be used in biology as a research tool (Ex: over time carbon-14 decays to nitrogen-
14, and researchers compare the amount of carbon-14 in the atmosphere to the amount in
fossil remain to determine the age of fossils)
describe the relationship between electronegativity and chemical bonds - Answer -The
stronger an atom attracts electrons in its bonds, the stronger its electronegativity and vise-versa
compare and contrast ionic and covalent bonds - Answer -Covalent: share electrons, weak
bond
-Ionic: take electrons, very strong bonds
, -Both: involve valence electrons, form chemical bonds
compare and contrast nonpolar and polar covalent bonds - Answer -Nonpolar: atoms have
similar electronegativities, share electrons equally
-Polar: atoms have unequal electronegativities, share electrons unequally
-Both bond type and molecule shape determine polarity
explain the importance of weak bonds/interactions for biology - Answer -Weak bonds allow
for dynamic and easily reversible interactions
-Reinforce the shapes of large molecules
-Helps molecules reversibly adhere to each other
predict the outcome of altering components of a reaction that was in chemical equilibrium -
Answer -The concentrations of both reactants and products undergo additional changes after
altering to return back to equillibrium
explain how hydrogen bonds affect the structure and behavior of water - Answer -Bonds
result from the polarity of water molecules
-There is no net charge to a water molecule (slight positive on hydrogen, slight negative on
oxygen)
-Bonds constantly form/break as the molecules move past one another
define hydrophobic and hydrophilic - Answer -Hydrophobic: do not mix with H2O(non-polar)
-Hydrophilic: mixes with H2O (polar)
calculate quantities/concentration of molecules and atoms (solution concentrations, pH,
convert units) - Answer -Solution concentrations: molarity(M)=mol/L
Steps
1) Calculate the molecular weight of your molecule
2) Calculate the number of grams needed to get the requested number of moles per L
3) Calculate the number of grams needed to get the requested molarity in the final volume
-pH=potential hydrogen, low in acid (more H+ ions), high in base (more OH- ions), each pH unit
represents a 10x difference in H+ concentrations, always adds to 14
-converting unit, use conversion factors and dimensional analysis
define acid, base, weak acid, and weak base - Answer -Acid: any substance that increases the
hydrogen ion concentration of a solution
-Base: any substance that reduces the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution