Module 1

1. What is an abiotic factor? Give examples.

Non-living / sun, temp, water, gas, soil

2. What is a biotic factor? Give examples.

Living / animals, plants, bacteria

3. List the biological levels of organization from atom to biome.  What levels are
considered living? Why?
Module 2
1. How was the process of scientific inquiry used to determine if protein or DNA carried
genetic information?
Hershey and Chase - They took one group of viruses that had the proteins tagged or
marked in a way that they could be recognized later, even if they were in a different
place. They took another group of viruses that had the DNA tagged. They hypothesized
that if protein was the genetic material, they would be able to see the tagged protein
inside the infected cell. If the DNA was the genetic material, they would be able to see
the tagged DNA inside the infected cell. They used this experimental design to test their
hypothesis.

2. Think of a question or problem you have in your life. (Examples could be, is this milk
spoiled or not? Why won’t this lamp turn on? Is it faster to drive to work on the freeway or the
side roads?)  Then, apply scientific inquiry and experimental design to answer your question.
Module 3

1. Complete the table to describe the three types of subatomic particles:

name of subatomic particle location charge

Proton Nucleus Positive +

Neutron Nucleus Neutral

Electron Shell Negative -

2. Complete the table to describe different types of bonding:

type of covalent ionic hydrogen

bond

general Occurs between Occurs between charged atoms Occurs between

description atoms in the same (ions) atoms in different
molecule molecules or parts
of molecules

what are Electron pairs shared, Electron transfer from one Weak electrostatic
electrons creating a strong atom to another, resulting in a attraction between
doing? bond between atoms moderately strong electrostatic areas of molecules
attraction between oppositely with opposite
charged ions partial charge

relative Strong Moderately strong Weak

strength

examples methane, CH4 Sodium, chlorine DNA, proteins, and

ammonia, NH3 water

Label each chemical bond below.

1.Hydrogen 2. Ionic
3.Covalent

Module 4

1. Complete the table to describe the special properties of water:

special property of what is happening at a how it relates to examples

water molecular level hydrogen bonds

Excellent solvent and  Hydrophobic Hydrophobic will Salt water

can dissolve a wide  Hydrophilic not mix
range of substances Hydrophilic
will mix

Cohesive Sticks to its self Bonding to each Pepper on top of

Surface tension other water

Temperature tends to Takes a lot of energy to Ionic bonds Top of pond

remain stable break the hydrogen bonds freezes and
bottom remains
liquid

Solid water (ice) is less Ice less dense then liquid - ice bonds spread Pipes freezing
dense than liquid Hard to break hydrogen of out and expands and bursting
water water
Module 5

1. Complete the following table with the 4 most common organic macromolecules:

Macromolecule Monomer Function

Carbohydrates Sugar play an important role in

storing energy. They also
provide structural support and
facilitate communication in the
cell.
Lipids Fats are used for long-term energy
storage and play a vital role as
part of the membrane of a cell.
Proteins Amino Acids are important structural and
communication molecules as
well. One of the most
important roles that proteins
play is as enzymes; they help
speed up and control the
chemical reactions occurring in
cells.
Nucleic acids Nucleotides store genetic information that
the cell uses to control all of its
processes.

2. What are defining characteristics of carbohydrates?

organic molecules that consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in a 1:2:1 ratio

complex carbs are made up of more than one or two sugar monomers

simple carbs are made up of one or two sugar monomers

monosaccharide – single sugar monomer

disaccharide – two sugar monomer

polysaccharide – many monomers

3. What fundamental role do carbohydrates play in organisms?

 store energy
 structural building materials
4. What chemical property do all lipids demonstrate?
 First, they are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons
that include many nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds.

 nonpolar, they are also hydrophobic (water-hating), or insoluble in water.

5. Describe why waxes, steroids, fats, oils and phospholipids are all classified as lipids.
What do they have in common? How are they different?
 Same – Hydrophobic
 Different - Function

Type of Lipid  Structure  General Function

Fats and oils Glycerol and fatty acids Stores energy for use at a
later time.

Phospholipids Fatty acids and phosphate Provides structure to cell

membranes; a protective
barrier surrounding the cell
or separating compartments
and forming organelles
within the cell.

Steroids Carbon ring molecules Provides structure to

membranes; regulates many
developmental, metabolic,
and energy processes.

Waxes Esters of fatty acids Forms protective layers on

plants and animals that repel
water.

6. What are the 2 major sections of phospholipids?

two fatty acids attached to a glycerol

7. Where are phospholipids most frequently utilized in organisms?

They will form a bilayer. This is the most stable orientation for phospholipids in a water
solution.
8. What does it mean to be hydrophobic or hydrophilic?  How do phospholipids manage
to be both of these?

They will keep water molecules away from the hydrophobic tails
while keeping the hydrophilic head in contact with the water. 
If enough phospholipids are present, they will form a bilayer.
This is the most stable orientation for phospholipids in a water
solution.

9. How does the unique form of the phospholipids allow cellular membranes to be
formed?

Phospholipids, together with other molecules in smaller quantities, form membranes

that surround the cell and intracellular organelles such as mitochondria. The cell
membrane is a fluid, semipermeable bilayer that separates the cell's contents from the
environment, allowing the cell to control what goes in and out.

10.  What is an enzyme? What is its role?

Proteins ((nucleic acid enzymes (ribozymes) have also been discovered)) that catalyze
reactions.

Speeds up the rate of chemical reaction that supports life.

Module 6

1. Compare and contrast RNA and DNA, using the following table:

RNA DNA

which nucleotide bases (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C),
present? and and thymine (T)
uracil (U)

single stranded or double Single Double

stranded?

function Transmits the information in Stores and transmits

the DNA so that it can be inherited genetic
used to produce proteins. information; and contains the
coded directions for making
proteins.

2. What varies about ATP from a DNA version of adenine?

 contains a large amount of very readily accessible energy.
ATP - 1 sugar +3 phosphates
DNA – 1 sugar + 1 phosphate
Adenine always pairs with thymine; guanine always pairs with cytosine. These base
pairing rules (A-T, G-C) are very important to the structure and function of DNA.

DNA  RNA

Function  Stores genetic Involved in protein synthesis

information

Location  Remains in the nucleus Leaves the nucleus

Structures  Double stranded Single stranded

Bases  Cytosine, thymine, Cytosine, uracil, adenine, and guanine

adenine, and guanine

Module 7
1.     What is the Cell Theory?

Cell Theory: 
 All known living things are composed of one or more cells.
 All new cells are created by pre-existing cells dividing.
 The cell is the most basic unit of structure and function in all
living organisms.

2. Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

2. Organelles of Eukaryotes
4.     Plant vs. Animal Cells

a. Describe things in common in Animal cells and Plant cells.

Cytoplasm, nucleus, cell membrane, and mitochondrion

b. There are the specialized structures in Plant cells only. List the names with the numbers in
the figure and describe the function. A–

B– C-
C. What is the organelle existing only in Animal cells? Chloroplast

FLASHBACK:

-        How does knowing the basic features common in ALL cells help differentiate between the

Biotic and Abiotic components (Unit #1) of our planet?

Grow, reproduce, and adjust to changes in the environment

Module 8
1. What is a phospholipid bilayer? What properties does it have?

A double layer of phospholipid molecules that is the primary component of all cellular
membranes. “Fabric of the membrane”

2. What does the term ‘selectively permeable’ mean?

A selectively permeable membrane allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it by

means of active or passive transport

3. How does the arrangement of phospholipids in the cell membrane allow it to control

what goes in and out of the cell?

they arrange themselves in a pattern that allows the hydrophobic tails to avoid the
water, with the hydrophilic heads facing the water, because the tails prefer not to
interact with the water. A stable configuration forms, and the molecules will stay in
this pattern as much as possible

4. What other components are present in a cell membrane besides phospholipids?

Protein and Cholesterol

FLASHBACK:

-        The unique chemical features of what macromolecule (Unit #2) helps provide the special

properties of the Cell Membrane?  What is the central property of this macromolecule that help

it function in this role/structure? Energy - power

Module 9
1. What characteristics of a molecule determine its ability to pass through a membrane?

Size and polarity

Small nonpolar unless they need help

2. Complete the following table.

Mechanism of Active (requires Describe the substances Moving from high to low
transport energy) or Passive transported in this way. (i.e. concentration or from
(does not require large or small, polar or low to high?
energy) nonpolar)

Simple passive Small nonpolar High to Low

diffusion

Facilitated passive Large polar High to Low

diffusion

Active Active Small Low to High

transport

Osmosis Passive Both High to Low

Endocytosis Active Large Low to High

Exocytosis Active Large Low to High

Module 10
1.     What role does ATP play in energy flow for all living things?
 
they carry energy from the light-dependent reaction over to the Calvin cycle
 
2.     What role does the Sun play in energy flow for all living things?
 
  principal source of energy for all organisms on earth

3.     What kinds of organisms perform photosynthesis?

 
Plants
 
4.     Where does photosynthesis take place in cells?
 
Coloplast

5.     What are the overall inputs (reactants) and outputs (products) of photosynthesis?
 
Water and CO2 // O2 and glucose 

6.     What are the 2 major steps in the photosynthesis reaction?  Where do they take 
        place within the cell?
 
Light dependent and clavin cycle

7.     What are the major inputs/outputs for the light-dependent reaction?

 
H2O - O2

 
9. What are the major inputs/outputs for the Calvin Cycle?

CO2 - Glucose
Module 11
1.       What sorts of things does a cell use the energy in ATP for?  What is left over when a cell
uses the energy in a molecule of ATP?
 
Cell work ADP

2.      Where does the energy used to make ATP come from?  What processes transfer the
energy to produce ATP?
 
the breakdown of foods and phosphocreatine

3.      What is the overall chemical process of cellular respiration?     

Sugar + O2 → CO2 + H2O + energy

 
4.      What are the three phases of cellular respiration and where in the cell do they take place?
 
  glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and electron transport/oxidative phosphorylation

In the mitochondria

5.      Fill in the missing reactants and products of glycolysis.

6.      Fill in the missing reactants and products of Krebs Cycle (the citric acid cycle).
. Fill in the missing reactants and products of the electron transport chain.

8.       Of the three phases of cellular respiration, which produces the most ATP?
 
Electron Transport Chain - TONS

9.      Which phase of cellular respiration most closely resembles fermentation?

 
Glycolysis does not require oxygen
10.      What does it mean to say that fermentation is an anaerobic process?
Does not require Oxygen
FLASHBACK:

-        The unique chemical features of what macromolecule (Unit #2) allows it to act as a central
player in Cellular Respiration? What is the common monomer of this Macromolecule? 
Module 12

Cancer cells divide continually and form a tumor. Henrietta Lacks was a woman who died of
cervical cancer in 1951. At the time of her treatment, doctors and scientists were trying to grow
human cells outside the human body so scientists could study the cells. The doctors took
cancer cells from many women without asking them (there was no concept of informing any
patients about using their cells at the time). Henrietta’s cells were the first ones to survive. In
fact, Henrietta’s cells grew and divided so robustly that scientists have been using them for
research ever since. The cell line is called HeLa and is the foundation of countless medical and
scientific discoveries. Her contribution can’t be quantified.
 
Henrietta’s cells go through cell cycle each time they divide.
 

A. Label the stages of cell cycle here and in the image. State what happens at each stage.

1.
 
 
2.
 
 
3.
 
 
4.
 
 
5.
 
 
B. Steps 1 – 3 (represented by the black line) are
included in this phase overarching  _______________.
 
 
 
 
 

C.  What is a chromosome made of? Use the following terms to label the image: DNA,
nucleotides, gene, centromere, histone, protein. (Flashback to module 6 for a reminder about
nucleotides)
 

D. What are the jobs of the histones, centromere and gene?

 
 
 
 
 
 
E. Label the image to indicate homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids? What is the
difference between them?

F. When would a chromosome become a chromosome composed of a pair of sister

chromatids?
 
 
 

G. Label the names of the stages and what a chromosome inside the cell would look like at
each stage (condensed or not condensed, single chromosome, replicated not condensed
chromosomes or condensed sister chromatids)
 

 
 
H. What is the difference between haploid and diploid cells? What is the difference between the
chromosomes in a diploid cell and sister chromosomes?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I. For Henrietta, which cells of her body were haploid and which were diploid?
(Flashforward – if you are struggling with this concept, you might want to revisit it after
completing modules 13 and 14).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You can read more about Mrs. Henrietta Lacks here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrietta_Lacks
Module 13
1. What is a chromosome made of? Use the following terms to label the image: DNA, nucleotides,
gene, centromere, histone, protein. (Flashback to module 6 for a reminder about nucleotides)

2. What is the job of the centromere?

3. Why is it helpful that DNA wraps around histones?

4. Label the image below to indicate homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids. What is the
difference between them?

5. What is the purpose of mitosis? Are somatic (body) cells or gametes involved?

6. Mitosis drawing practice

7. What clues can you use to identify the stage(s) for cell cycle, mitosis or cytokinesis?
 8.  Label the stages: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis.
(Flashback to module 12 for interphase).

9. Cancer cells divide continually and form a tumor. Henrietta Lacks was a woman who died of cervical
cancer in 1951. At the time of her treatment, doctors took some of her cancer cells without asking (a
common practice of that time). Henrietta’s cells were the first ones to survive and replicate (undergo
mitosis) in the laboratory. The cell line was named HeLa and is the foundation of countless medical and
scientific discoveries. Unfortunately, no one clearly explained what happened with Henrietta’s cells to
her children. How would you explain the process of mitosis to Henrietta’s children?

You can read more about Mrs. Henrietta Lacks here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrietta_Lacks
Module 14

1. Why do cells need to do meiosis?

2. What are the phases of meiosis? What happens in each phase? 

3. How do the steps in meiosis allow for the formation of four nonidentical daughter cells?

4. How do the cells produced at the end of meiosis compare to the cell at the beginning?

5. What role do sister chromatids play in meiosis?

6. What role to homologous chromosomes play in meiosis?

7. How do mitosis and meiosis differ? How are they the same?
 Module 15 Study Questions

3. Explain the difference between genotype and phenotype.

4. What is a gene? How is an allele different than a gene?

5. How are dominant and recessive traits different? How do they relate to the terms gene
and allele? Explain using a hypothetical example or an example from someone you
know.

6. Explain the difference between a pair of alleles that are homozygous and a pair that are
heterozygous.

 If you received the same alleles for hair color from both of your parents are you
homozygous or heterozygous for that gene?

 If you did not receive the same alleles from each of your parents, are you
homozygous or heterozygous for the hair color gene?

7. State Mendel’s Law of Segregation in your own words.

 8. Stefanie Joho, her mother and one of her sisters has Lynch syndrome while her younger
sister and father are healthy. The disease is caused by a dominant allele and causes a
high risk of cancer because mistakes in the DNA cannot be corrected.

What are the genotypes and phenotypes for Lynch syndrome of the members of this family?

Genotype Phenotype

Stefanie LLll LyL

Mother

Father

Older sister

Younger sister

Which family members are homozygous and which are heterozygous?

9. Stefanie Joho’s parents have the following genotypes for Lynch syndrome: mother – Ll;
father – ll . Use this information and Punnett square grid below to determine the
percentage of offspring who will have Lynch syndrome.

Does this match the data (information) from question 6 about Stefanie and her sisters?
 10. How is the fact that not all of the Joho sisters have Lynch syndrome explained by
Mendel’s Law of Segregation?

11. When thinking about how the alleles for two different traits are passed into gametes,
we can use a trick called “FOIL.” It stands for First allele, Outside allele, Inside allele, Last
allele. See how this trick allows us to figure out the possible gametes someone will have.

Here is an example for a woman who is left-handed and thinks cilantro tastes like soap.
Right-handedness is dominant and she is heterozygous for taste (rrCc).
What would the possible gametes be for a woman who is left-handed and is homozygous for
loving the taste of cilantro (rrcc)?
12. What would the possible gametes be for a man who is right-handed (Rr), and thinks
cilantro tastes like soap (Cc)?

13. Using the information in the dihybrid cross Punnett square below, list the different
genotypes and resulting phenotypes for the combined traits. What percentage of
children from these parents would have each genotype and each phenotype?
(Remember, the alleles for right-handedness and disliking the taste of cilantro are
dominant).

14. How does Mendel’s Law of Independent Assortment explain the distribution of alleles in
the dihybrid cross above?
 Module 16 Study Questions

15. What is codominance? Use an example to describe it.

16. What is incomplete dominance? Use an example to describe it.

17. What is polygenic inheritance? Use an example to describe it.

 Module 17 Study Questions

18. A small number of children are born with Patau Syndrome. It is caused by a failure of
chromatids to separate during anaphase II of meiosis. Using the karyotype below, what
“clue” would help you diagnos the disease? If you were a pediatrician, how could you
use the karyotype to explain what causes their daughter’s disease to the parents of your
patient?

19. Many characteristics are influenced by the environment as well as inherited genetics.
How can a person’s height be affected by both his genes and his interactions with his
environment?

How can a person’s hair color be influenced by her genes and her environment?