Part A

- Five themes that we study in biology (know an example of each)

-Characteristics of all organisms

-Why emergent properties and reductionism helps scientists understand complex systems? (advantages and limitations)

-Levels of biological organization (be able to go from largest to smallest and vice versa; know an example of each)

-Why is the cell the lowest level of biological organization that can maintain life?

-Describe differences between eukaryotes and prokaryotes (at least three)

-Basic structure of DNA

-Why is DNA so important in biology?

-Know the three domains of life and why they are grouped the way they are

-Charles Darwin's key points from his Origins of Species book.

-What factors contribute to natural selection?

- Differences between inductive and deductive reasoning

-Steps involved in the scientific method (also keys to a good ex

Part B

- Key terms (make sure you can explain it in your own words, if necessary)

-Parts of an atom (and charge); what information about an element can you obtain from knowing the parts of the atom

-Distinguish atomic number from atomic mass

-Determine number of protons and neutrons in isotopes

-How electrons are important for interactions between atoms

-How to determine # of valence electrons and the valence for an atom

-Types of bonds (covalent, ionic, hydrogen); Van der Waals interactions

-Recognize different ways to show how electrons are arranged (i.e. structural, molecular, Lewis-dot, electron diagram)

-How electronegativity affects interactions between atoms (hint: nonpolar vs polar bonds)

-How ionic bonds are formed (difference between starting material and ending material)

-Redox reactions (what is oxidized and what is reduced)

-Properties of water that make it a good solvent

-Distinguish between acids and bases; what does pH measure?