Untitled Flashcards Set

Hypothesis

A testable prediction or educated guess about the outcome of an experiment.

Observation

Using your senses to gather information about the world around you.

Fact

An observation that is consistently confirmed and can be proven true.

Theory

A well-tested explanation of an aspect of the natural world that can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses.

Law

A statement that describes a consistently observed phenomenon, often expressed mathematically.

Independent Variable

The variable that is changed or manipulated in the experiment.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured or observed as it responds to changes in the independent variable.

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable and is used for comparison.

Experimental Group

The group that is exposed to the independent variable.

Constants

Variables that are kept the same across all groups in the experiment.

Quantitative Data

Numerical data, such as measurements.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive data that does not have numerical value.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond where atoms share electrons.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond where atoms transfer electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.

Cohesion

The ability of water molecules to stick to each other.

Adhesion

The ability of water molecules to stick to other surfaces.

Polarity

The characteristic of water having a partial positive charge on hydrogen and a partial negative charge on oxygen.

Carbohydrates

Biological molecules that store and release short-term energy.

Proteins

Biological molecules used in cell structure and regulation.

Lipids

Biological molecules that store energy long-term.

Nucleic Acids

Biological molecules that store genetic information.

Enzyme

A protein that increases the speed of chemical reactions and lowers activation energy.

Active Site

The specific region on an enzyme where the substrate binds.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that results in four non-identical haploid cells.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

The observable physical expression of an organism's genotype.

Allele

An alternative form of a gene.

Punnett Square

A tool used to predict genetic outcomes based on allele combinations.

Pedigree

A diagram that tracks the inheritance of a trait through several generations.

DNA

The molecule that carries genetic information.

Nitrogenous Bases

The building blocks of DNA, including adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.

Base Pairing

The rule that adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine in DNA.

Helicase

The enzyme that unwinds and separates the two strands of DNA during replication.

Polymers of Carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides) such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose, made from many sugar monomers.

Polymers of Proteins

Polypeptides formed by linking amino acid monomers through peptide bonds.

Polymers of Lipids

Triglycerides and phospholipids formed from glycerol and fatty acid monomers.

Polymers of Nucleic Acids

DNA and RNA are polymers made from nucleotide monomers.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where chromatin condenses into chromosomes, and the nuclear envelope begins to break down.

Metaphase

The second stage of mitosis where chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plate.

Anaphase

The third stage of mitosis during which sister chromatids are pulled apart toward opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis where chromosomes decondense, and the nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes.

Prophase I

The first stage of meiosis where homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange genetic material through crossing over.

Metaphase I

The second stage of meiosis where homologous chromosomes line up at the cell's equator for separation.

Anaphase I

The stage of meiosis where homologous chromosomes are pulled apart to opposite poles, reducing chromosome number by half.

Telophase I

The stage in meiosis where two nuclei form around the separated chromosomes, leading to cytokinesis.

Prophase II

The stage of meiosis that follows Telophase I, where chromosomes condense again and the nuclear envelope breaks down.

Metaphase II

The stage of meiosis where chromosomes align at the equator again, preparing for sister chromatid separation.

Anaphase II

The stage of meiosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase II

The final stage of meiosis where nuclei form around the separated chromatids, resulting in four haploid cells after cytokinesis.

Monomers of Carbohydrates

Simple sugars or monosaccharides, such as glucose and fructose, that are the building blocks of carbohydrates.

Monomers of Proteins

Amino acids, which link together through peptide bonds to form proteins.

Monomers of Lipids

Glycerol and fatty acids, which combine to form triglycerides and phospholipids.

Monomers of Nucleic Acids

Nucleotides, composed of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base, that form DNA and RNA.