Introduction to Cell & Molecular Biology (BIOL121) - Dr. S.G. Saupe (ssaupe@csbsju.edu); Biology Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN 56321

Review: Exam #1
 

General:
    The exam will be a mixture of objective (e.g., multiple choice, definition, fill-in-blank) and subjective (short answer) questions.  To see the general format you may want to check out the sample exams that are posted on line.  You may use pencil or pen to complete your exam, though I strongly recommend pencil.  The exam is designed to last one hour.  In general, the exam could include:  (1) anything covered in class; (2) any study sheets, articles, handouts or other materials used/assigned in class; and (3) PowerPoints in the public folder.  I try to ask an equal number of questions about each class.  Below is a summary of the main topics that are "fair game" for the exam.  Essentially we covered science & scientific method, nature of life, evolution, general chemistry, ******. 

    You may find the questions at the end of each chapter, on-line quizzes and text website helpful.  The following should be the bulk of what is on the exam, though I may have forgotten something.  Similarly, there may be a few topics embedded in the various notes, etc., that will not be covered since we didn't mention it in class.

Chapter 1 - Science, Life, Evolution:
    This chapter highlights biology as the science of life.  Thus two major topics are "science" and "life".  Since evolution is so important, this is a major theme that runs through the chapter and book.  Topics to consider studying for the exam:

• Text:  everything is fair game

• I have notes online about "the Nature of Life."  This same material is in a PowerPoint in the public folder.  All are "fair game."

• I have posted online notes about "Science".  These are "fair game" but note that several sections will NOT be on the exam; these are highlighted in red.   

• There is a "science" PowerPoint in the Public Folder - this is basically the PPT version of my online science notes.  Anything related to the notes and that we covered in class will be fair game.

• Bee article - an example of science; fair game

• Evolution - don't forget the crab handout.  I have put a PowerPoint in the public folder that I prepared for another class.  Most of this PowerPoint will not be directly on the exam, but a few slides were covered.  It might provide a little background to help understand evolution.

  Here are some questions to consider as you study (from the Unit 1 Study Guide):

  1. List the categories in the Linnean taxonomic hierarchy (hint:  King Philip (or David) Cried Oh For Goodness Sake).  Which is the most inclusive group?  Least inclusive?

  2. Compare and contrast deductive and inductive logic.  Give examples of each

  3. Identify some of the characteristics of life.

  4. Suggest why it is difficult to define "life"

  5. Define paradigm and give some examples

  6. What is meant that science is a "way of knowing"?

  7. Explain what it means that a hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable

  8. What is Occam's razor?

  9. What is a control group and why are they important?

  10. Describe the four major types of scientific activities and give examples of each

  11. What is a fact?  Why is it difficult to determine what is meant by fact?

  12. Can you outline the major steps of the "scientific method?"

Chapter 2 - Atoms & Molecules
    This chapter focuses on the elemental constituents of life and how they are put together (bonding) and water.  Topics to consider studying for the exam:

• Text:  everything is fair game except:  "Concentration" pp 34-35.

• I have posted some online notes about chemistry that you might want to check out.  These notes parallel what was said in class. 

• There are some study questions about chemistry posted on line.

• There are some notes about water and some study questions about water posted on line.  There is also a PowerPoint about water in the Public Folder.

• You may want to take a peak at the movie clips on bonding in the public folder.

• Chemistry PowerPoint in the public folder

• I handed out my "presidential notes" in class for gen. chem and water.

• Acid/base worksheet