1st Semester
Honors Biology Exam Review-Bleile 2013
Unit 1 Biology Introduction
 Metric- How to convert? What units do we use to measure length, mass, etc…? What units to
measure a pencil or paperclip?
 What is biology?
 Scientific method (problem, hypothesis, variables, control, independent, dependent, data, conclusion,
etc.)
 Characteristic of life- Stimulus, response, homeostasis, need of energy, adaptation and other life
features (HEC ROGER)
 Cells, tissues, organs, systems, organism
Unit 2 Ecology
 Define ecology
 What are the ecological levels of organization? (BBECPO)
 Compare and contrast biotic and abiotic factors
 Producers vs. consumers
 How does energy flow in an ecosystem?
 How much energy is transferred from each level of the energy pyramid? Be able to figure the
amount of energy at each level.
 Explain how energy is recycled in an ecosystem? How do the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles
work?
 What is the difference between niche and habitat?
 Explain the difference types of tolerance. Be able to use a tolerance curve.
 What are the different symbiotic relationships? Be able to determine the relationship from an
example.
 What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
 What are the terrestrial biomes? Be able to identify biome by precipitation, temperature, soil type,
etc…
 How are population studied?
 What factors can affect population growth?
 Compare and contrast exponential growth vs. logistical growth (definition, graphs)
 What factors can limit population size?
 Biodiversity- What is it? What are the different types? What are the benefits? What threatens
biodiversity? How can biodiversity be conserved?
Unit 3 Chemistry
 Diagram of atom (protons, neutrons, electrons)
 Atomic number and atomic mass
 Isotopes
 Covalent and ionic bonds - Noble gases
 Elements, compounds and mixtures
 Molecules
 Chemical formulas and what they tell you
 Physical and chemical properties and changes
 Solvents and solutes
 Matter and mass
Unit 4 Biochemistry
 Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, nucleic acids (differences, know
building blocks, functions, structure)-Chart
 Enzymes (function) - lock and key hypothesis (active site and substrate)
 Chemical tests in lab for proteins, fats and carbohydrates
 What is an isomer?
 What is a catalyst and what is its function?
 What are coenzymes and their function?
 Activation energy - types of reactions (Compare are contrast endergonic and exergonic)
Digestion




What is digestion?
Peristalsis, villi, epiglottis, cardiac and pyloric sphincters
Location of major parts of digestive tract and function of those parts
Digestive enzymes - where produced, where they work, what they attack-Chart
Unit 5 Cells and cell transport
 Know and be able to indentify major cell parts and their function(see attached sheet to label)
 Compare and contrast prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes
 Similarities and differences of plant and animal cells
 What is diffusion and osmosis?
 Compare and contrast active vs. passive transport - facilitated diffusion (carrier molecules)
 How do cells reach Equilibrium? Why do cells reach equilibrium?
 What is plasmolysis and cytolysis?
 Hypertonic, isotonic, hypotonic solutions and their effects on cells
 What are Endocytosis - exocytosis - pinocytosis – phagocytosis? What is the difference between
these?