Biology and Physics Exam Preparation

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the biology and physics curriculum focusing on genetics, evolution, motion, energy, and scientific inquiry.

DNA

A molecule that carries genetic information used in growth, development, functioning, and reproduction.

Mitosis

A type of cell division resulting in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus.

Meiosis

A special type of cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms.

Base Pair Rule

The sequence that dictates that adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine.

Allele

One of two or more versions of a gene that are found at the same place on a chromosome.

Homozygous

An organism that has two identical Alleles for a specific gene.

Heterozygous

An organism that has two different Alleles for a specific gene.

Dominant

An allele that is expressed in the phenotype even when only one copy is present.

Recessive

An allele that is not expressed in the phenotype unless two copies are present.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual or group.

Phenotype

The set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Punnett Square

A diagram used to predict the outcome of a particular cross or breeding experiment.

Pedigree Chart

A diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance or phenotype of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors.

Natural Selection

The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Evolution

The change in the heritable traits of biological populations over successive generations.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to variation.

Vector

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

Scalar

A quantity that has only magnitude and no direction.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity per unit of time.

Net Force

The vector sum of all the forces acting on an object.

Inertia

The tendency of an object to resist a change in its state of motion.

Kinetic Energy

The energy that an object possesses due to its motion.

Potential Energy

The energy stored in an object due to its position or arrangement.

Conservation of Energy

The principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Law of Conservation of Energy

The total energy in a closed system remains constant over time.

Displacement

The distance and direction of an object's change in position from the starting point.

Distance

The total movement of an object regardless of its starting or ending point.

Speed

The distance traveled per unit of time.

Velocity

The speed of an object in a given direction.

Gravity

The force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth, or toward any other physical body having mass.

Ticker Timer Tape

A device used to measure motion of an object through the marking of distances over time.

Scientific Inquiry

The diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, made as a starting point for further investigation.

Controlled Variable

A variable that is kept constant during an experiment.

Independent Variable

The variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured or tested in an experiment.

Data Trend

A general direction in which something is developing or changing based on a set of data.

Outlier

A data point that differs significantly from other observations in a dataset.

Newton's First Law

An object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by a net external force.

Newton’s Second Law

The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.

Newton's Third Law

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Energy Transformation

The process of changing energy from one form to another.

Graph Interpretation

The process of analyzing and deriving conclusions from graphical data.

Biology Test

An assessment evaluating knowledge of biological concepts, including genetics and evolution.

Physics Test

An assessment evaluating knowledge of physical principles, including motion and forces.

Variation

Differences in traits among individuals in a population.

Sex-linked Traits

Traits that are determined by genes found on the sex chromosomes.

Autosomal Traits

Traits that are determined by genes located on autosomes, the non-sex chromosomes.

Fossil Evidence

Remains or impressions of organisms from the past that provide evidence for evolution.

Comparative Anatomy

The study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species.

Biological Diversity

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

Gene

A segment of DNA that contains coding for a protein and thus determines a trait.

Chromosome

A structure within cells that contains DNA and genetic information.

Genetics

The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

Assessment Schedule

A timeline and outline detailing the assessments to be administered throughout a specific time period.

Scientific Evidence

Information acquired through systematic observation or experimentation.

Experimental Design

The process of planning an experiment to ensure valid and reliable results.

Safety Precautions

Measures taken to minimize risk during scientific experiments.

Mechanical Energy

The sum of potential and kinetic energy in an object.

Causation

The action of causing something to happen.

Correlation

A mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.

Error Analysis

The process of determining sources of error in an experiment to improve accuracy.

Conclusion

A summary of the results and findings from an experiment.

Test Conditions

The specific environment and parameters in which a test or experiment is conducted.

Scenarios

Hypothetical situations used to explore the application of scientific concepts.

Data Analysis

The process of reviewing and interpreting data collected during research.

Biology & Physics

The scientific fields that study living organisms and physical phenomena, respectively.

Academic Support

Resources provided to assist students in learning and understanding course material.

Weighted Assessment

Assessments that contribute differently to the overall grade based on their importance.

Check-in Assessment

Short assessments conducted intermittently to monitor understanding of material.

Laboratory Investigation

An experimental study conducted in a controlled environment to explore scientific principles.

Research Skills

The abilities required to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively.

Cross-Pollination

The transfer of pollen from one flower to another, contributing to genetic diversity.

Evolutionary Processes

Mechanisms such as natural selection that drive the evolution of species.

Biological Classification

A system whereby living organisms are categorized into groups based on shared characteristics.

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various biological species.

Genetic Drift

The variation in the relative frequency of different genotypes in a population due to random sampling.

Fertilization

The process of a sperm cell joining with an egg cell to form a zygote.

Gene Pool

The complete set of genetic information within a population.

Derivative Traits

Traits that are modified or developed from ancestral traits within a lineage.

Developing Skills

The practice of acquiring new abilities or knowledge in a subject area.

Ecological Fitness

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Species Adaptation

The process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment.

Testing Validity

Assessing whether results from an experiment are consistent and truthful.

Graphing Techniques

Methods used to visually represent data on a graph.

Scientific Notation

A method of writing very large or very small numbers in a compact form.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds.

Elastic Potential Energy

Energy stored as a result of deformation of an elastic object, such as stretching or compressing.

Gravitational Potential Energy

Energy an object possesses due to its height relative to the ground.

Work-Energy Principle

The principle stating that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.

Physics Concepts

Fundamental principles that describe the physical world, such as forces, motion, and energy.

Biological Systems

Complex networks of biologically relevant entities interacting with one another.

Statistical Inference

Drawing conclusions from data that is subject to random variation.

Philosophy of Science

The study of the assumptions, foundations, and implications of science.

Principles of Ethics

Moral guidelines that scientists are expected to follow in research.

Laboratory Safety

Protocols designed to protect laboratory personnel from hazards.

Scientific Communication

The process of sharing scientific information through various formats.

Efficiency of Energy Transfer

The measure of how much input energy is converted into useful output energy.

Initial Conditions

The starting parameters or state of a system before an experiment or change.

Biological Processes

The series of actions or functions that occur within living organisms.