Semester 1 Final Study Guide

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions from the biology lecture notes, focusing on concepts such as taxonomy, cellular processes, ecosystems, and chemical interactions.

Taxonomy

The science of classification of living organisms into hierarchical categories such as Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.

Cells

The basic unit of life that can perform all life processes.

Organism

An individual living entity, such as a human.

Tissue

A group of cells that work together to perform specific functions.

Organ

A structure composed of tissues that perform specific functions.

Organelle

A specialized structure within a cell that performs a specific function.

Inheritance

The process by which genetic information is passed from parents to offspring.

Genetic Variation

The differences in DNA among individuals within a population.

Scientific Method

A systematic process for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll pigment.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

Biotic Factors

Living components of a community that interact with each other and with non-living components of the environment.

Producers

Organisms, like plants, that make their own food through photosynthesis.

Primary Consumers

Herbivores that eat producers.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic variation from one population to another.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Symbiotic Relationships

Relationships between two different species that live together and interact with each other.

Immigration

The movement of individuals into a population from another area.

Emigration

The movement of individuals out of a population to another area.

Exponential Growth

A growth pattern in which the individuals in a population reproduce at a constant rate, resulting in rapid population increase.

Logistic Growth

A growth pattern where population growth decreases as the population reaches the carrying capacity of its environment.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size that the environment can sustain indefinitely.

Endosymbiont Theory

The theory that mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells were once free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by larger cells.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment within an organism.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration.

Acids and Bases

Acids increase H+ ions in a solution, while bases decrease H+ ions.

Covalent Bonds

Chemical bonds formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.

Ionic Bonds

Chemical bonds formed through the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds that occur between molecules due to the attraction of partial positive and negative charges.