Biodiversity

What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process plants use to create their own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.

What is a trophic level?

A trophic level is a position in a food chain. Only about 10% of energy transfers to the next level in the food chain.

What is an autotroph?

An autotroph is an organism that makes its own food, primarily through photosynthesis. Example: Plants.

What is a heterotroph?

A heterotroph is an organism that eats other organisms for food. Examples include animals, fungi, and amoebas.

What defines an endemic species?

An endemic species is one that is found naturally in one specific location only.

What is an indicator species?

An indicator species is used to monitor the health of an ecosystem. Example: Frogs.

What is a keystone species?

A keystone species is one that has a significant impact on its ecosystem. Example: Beavers.

What is mutualism?

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit. Example: Bees and flowers.

What is commensalism?

Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is unaffected. Example: Birds nesting in trees.

What is parasitism?

Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other. Example: Ticks feeding on dogs.

What is the function of the nucleus in a cell?

The nucleus controls cell DNA and contains genetic instructions.

What is the function of ribosomes?

Ribosomes are responsible for making proteins.

What do mitochondria produce?

Mitochondria produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell.

What is the role of chloroplasts?

Chloroplasts are involved in photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy.

What distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not.

What is the purpose of the cell membrane?

The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell.

What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?

Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells for growth and repair, while meiosis produces four genetically different gametes for reproduction.

What is a dichotomous key?

A dichotomous key is an identification tool that provides two choices at each step to help identify organisms.

What is the significance of phylogenetic trees?

Phylogenetic trees illustrate the evolutionary relationships between species, where branches represent evolutionary paths.

Define genetic drift.

Genetic drift is a random change in gene frequencies in a population, which can occur due to factors like the bottleneck effect or founder effect.

What are the levels of the biological classification system from largest to smallest?

The classification system from largest to smallest includes Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.

What is the difference between haploid and diploid?

Haploid cells contain one set of chromosomes (23 in humans), while diploid cells contain two sets of chromosomes (46 in humans).

What are non-vascular plants?

Non-vascular plants are plants that do not have xylem or phloem, are small, and typically live in moist environments. They reproduce with spores.

What are vascular plants?

Vascular plants have xylem and phloem, enabling them to transport water and nutrients. They can grow much taller than non-vascular plants.

What is morphology?

Morphology is the study of an organism's physical appearance, which is used for classification purposes.

What are the three domains of life?

The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

What are methanogens?

Methanogens are a type of Archaea that produce methane as a byproduct of digestion, often found in anaerobic environments.

What are halophiles?

Halophiles are a type of Archaea that thrive in high salt concentrations, such as salt lakes.

What are thermophiles?

Thermophiles are a type of Archaea that thrive in extremely hot environments, such as hot springs and geysers.

What are psychrophiles?

Psychrophiles are organisms that thrive in extremely cold environments, such as polar regions or deep ocean waters.

What is the lytic cycle?

The lytic cycle is a viral reproductive cycle in which the virus immediately reproduces and bursts the host cell, releasing new viral particles.

What is the lysogenic cycle?

The lysogenic cycle is a viral reproductive cycle where the virus remains dormant within the host cell and can become activated later.

What are plasmids?

Plasmids are small circular DNA molecules that are separate from the chromosomal DNA and are often found in bacteria. They can carry beneficial genes.

What is binary fission?

Binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction in which one cell divides into two identical cells, leading to no genetic variation.

What is conjugation?

Conjugation is a process where bacteria connect and exchange DNA, facilitating genetic variation.

What is transformation in bacteria?

Transformation is the process by which bacteria take up foreign DNA from their environment.

What is transduction?

Transduction is the transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another via a virus (bacteriophage).

What characteristics define fungi?

Fungi are heterotrophic organisms with cell walls made of chitin, no chloroplasts, and they utilize external digestion for nutrient absorption.

What are hyphae?

Hyphae are thread-like filaments that make up the body of a fungus and form a network known as mycelium.

What is mycelium?

Mycelium is the network of hyphae that forms the vegetative structure of fungi, aiding

What is chitin?

Chitin is a material that makes up the cell walls of fungi, providing structure and support.

What are the characteristics of prokaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells are small, lack a nucleus, contain circular DNA, and do not have membrane-bound organelles. Examples include bacteria.

What are the characteristics of eukaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells are larger, contain a nucleus, have membrane-bound organelles, and include plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

What is bilateral symmetry?

Bilateral symmetry is when an organism can be divided into two equal halves along one plane. Examples include humans, dogs, and butterflies.

What is radial symmetry?

Radial symmetry is when an organism can be divided into many equal parts around a central axis. Examples include jellyfish and sea stars.

What are the six kingdoms of life?

The six kingdoms of life are Archaea, Bacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

What are non-vascular plants?

Non-vascular plants are small plants that lack xylem and phloem, live in moist environments, and reproduce with spores. Examples include mosses.

What are vascular plants?

Vascular plants are plants that have xylem and phloem for transporting nutrients and water, allowing them to grow taller. Examples include ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms.

What is genetic recombination?

Genetic recombination is the process by which genetic material is exchanged between different organisms, leading to genetic variation.

What is the function of the cell wall?

The cell wall provides support and protection to the cell, maintaining its shape. It is found in plants, fungi, and some bacteria.

What is the function of flagella?

Flagella are long, whip-like structures that provide movement to some cells, such as certain bacteria and protists.

What is the significance of hyphae in fungi?

Hyphae are thread-like filaments that form the vegetative part of fungi, creating a network called mycelium that is important for nutrient absorption.

What is the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction in protists?

Asexual reproduction in protists typically involves binary fission, while sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes, offering genetic diversity.

What are the roles of decomposers in ecosystems?

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, which supports plant growth and maintains ecological balance.

What are the main components of DNA?

DNA is composed of a phosphate group, deoxyribose sugar, and nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine).

What is the process of photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process used by plants, algae, and some bacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water.