Biology Final 2025

Evolution

Change in species over time

Adaptation

Inherited trait that is selected over time that allows organisms to better survive

Fitness

Measure of an organism's ability to survive + reproduce

Species

Group of organisms so similar they can breed/produce together

Allele Frequency

Proportion of one allele compared with all alleles in the given pool

Darwin's theory of evolution

Any population with individuals with traits better suited are more likely to survive

Gene Flow

Movement of alleles from one population to another

Bottleneck effect

Destructive event that leaves few survivors in a population

Founder Effect

Occurs when a small number of individuals colonize a new area

Producers

Organism who obtains energy from an abiotic source such as the sun

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food

Consumers/Heterotrophs

Organism that obtains energy from eating other organisms

Herbivores

Only eats plants

Omnivores

Eats both plants and animals

Carnivores

Eats only animals

Decomposers

Breaks down organic matter into compounds

Photosynthesis

Input: CO₂ + H₂O; Output: C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂

Cellular Respiration

Input: Glucose + O₂; Output: CO₂ + H₂O + ATP

Fermentation

Process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen

Energy Pyramid

Diagram used to compare energy; energy decreases as you move up

Hydrologic Cycle

Cloud formation, precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration

Homologous Structure

Similar structure in different species that evolved from a common ancestor

Analogous Structure

Features of different species that are similar in function but not in structure

Vestigial Organ

A feature that was functional in an ancestor but is now less functional/needed

Fossils

Remains of a once living thing

Embryology

Study of embryos in multicellular organisms

Divergent evolution

Pollution of related species into differing species.

Convergent evolution

Evolution in similar and analogous structures.

Coevolution

Characteristics in unrelated species where one species responds to changes in another.

Nitrogen Cycle

Free nitrogen in air is converted into nitrates by bacteria.

Carbon Cycle

Carbon is taken in by consumers or used by plants and released as O2.

Population

All of the individuals of a species that live in the same area.

Habitat

Combined biotic and abiotic factors found in an area where an organism lives.

Niche

All of the physical, chemical, and biological factors that a species needs to survive.

Carrying Capacity

Maximum number of individuals an ecosystem can support.

Limiting Factors of a Population

Factors that limit populations, which can be density independent or density dependent.

Density Independent

Factors that limit populations regardless of population density, such as fires and weather.

Density Dependent

Factors that are affected by the number of individuals in a given area, such as food, water, and disease.

Competition

Fight for limited resources.

Predation

One organism captures and eats another.

Symbiosis

Close relationship between two or more organisms of different species that live in direct contact.

Parasitism

One organism benefits while the other is harmed.

Mutualism

Both organisms benefit.

Commensalism

One organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Global warming

Worldwide trend of increasing average temperatures.

Greenhouse gases

Air pollution caused by sunlight and fossil fuels.

Human activities impact

Limited resources can restrict economic growth and force changes in consumption.

Negative human impact

Overuse of natural resources and burning fossil fuels.

Reducing human impact

Transitioning to renewable energy sources and minimizing waste.