Biology Honors Semester 1 Review (ALL TERMS)

Inquiry

Foundation for developing hypotheses and experiments.

Observation

Noticing and describing phenomena in nature.

Hypothesis

Testable statement predicting variable relationships.

Experimentation

Designing tests to validate hypotheses.

Data Analysis

Evaluating data to support or refute hypotheses.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive, subjective information like color and texture.

Quantitative Data

Numerical information providing objective evidence.

Independent Variable

Factor manipulated to observe effects.

Dependent Variable

Outcome measured affected by the independent variable.

Constants

Conditions kept unchanged for experimental validity.

Control Group

Baseline group not exposed to the independent variable.

Theory

Explanatory framework supported by substantial evidence.

Law

Descriptive statement summarizing observed phenomena.

Atomic Number

Number of protons defining an element's identity.

Common Elements

Key elements like C, O, N, H essential for life.

Atom

Smallest unit of matter, fundamental building block.

Element

Pure substance made of one type of atom.

Compound

Two or more different atoms chemically bonded.

Molecule

Formed when two or more atoms bond.

Ionic Bonds

Bonds formed by electron transfer between atoms.

Covalent Bonds

Bonds formed by sharing electrons between atoms.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds providing cohesion and adhesion in water.

Specific Heat

Water absorbs heat without significant temperature change.

Solution

Homogeneous mixture of solute in solvent.

Solvent

Substance in which solute dissolves.

Solute

Substance being dissolved in a solution.

Polar Molecules

Uneven charge distribution, attracting water.

Nonpolar Molecules

Balanced charge distribution, repelling water.

Hydrogen Ions (H+)

Determine acidity or basicity on the pH scale.

Buffers

Minimize pH changes, maintaining stability in systems.

Monomers

Simple units serving as building blocks for polymers.

Proteins

Amino acid chains essential for body functions.

Carbohydrates

Energy sources and structural components for organisms.

Nucleic Acids

DNA and RNA responsible for genetic information.

Dehydration Synthesis

Removes water to form covalent bonds between monomers.

Hydrolysis

Adds water to break bonds between monomers.

Starch

Energy storage polysaccharide in plants.

Glycogen

Energy storage polysaccharide in animals.

Cellulose

Structural polysaccharide in plant cell walls.

Protein Structure Levels

Four levels: primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary.

Activation Energy

Energy needed to initiate a chemical reaction.

Enzyme-Substrate Complex

Specific binding critical for enzyme efficiency.

Denaturation

Loss of protein structure due to extreme conditions.

Cell Theory

All living things are composed of cells.

Prokaryotic Cells

Simple cells without a nucleus, e.g., bacteria.

Eukaryotic Cells

Complex cells with a nucleus and organelles.

Cytoskeleton

Provides structural support and shape to cells.

Nucleus

Control center housing genetic material (DNA).

Ribosomes

Sites of protein synthesis in cells.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Modifies and transports proteins; rough and smooth types.

Golgi Apparatus

Packages and processes proteins and lipids.

Vesicles

Membrane-bound carriers for material transport.

Chloroplasts

Organelles where photosynthesis occurs in plants.

Mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell, produces ATP.

Vacuoles

Storage organelles in cells.

Lysosomes

Break down waste materials in cells.

Cell Wall

Structural support in plant cells, absent in animals.

Phospholipid Bilayer

Forms selective barrier regulating cell entry and exit.

Embedded Proteins

Facilitate transport and signaling in membranes.

Passive Transport

Movement across membranes without energy input.

Osmosis

Diffusion of water across a semi-permeable membrane.

Active Transport

Requires ATP to move substances against gradients.

ATP

Energy currency of the cell, high-energy molecule.

ADP

Lower-energy form of ATP after phosphate loss.

Photosynthesis

Converts solar energy into chemical energy in glucose.

Calvin Cycle

Uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO2 into glucose.

Glycolysis

Breakdown of glucose into pyruvate in cytoplasm.

Krebs Cycle

Processes pyruvate in mitochondria, produces electron carriers.

Electron Transport Chain

Produces ATP and water using electrons from carriers.

Fermentation

ATP generation in absence of oxygen.

Xylem

Transports water and minerals from roots to shoots.

Phloem

Distributes sugars produced during photosynthesis.

Double Fertilization

Unique process enhancing reproductive efficiency in angiosperms.

Plant Hormones

Regulate growth and responses in plants.

DNA Structure

Double helix configuration storing genetic information.

Nitrogenous Bases

Adenine pairs with thymine; guanine pairs with cytosine.

Mitosis

Cell division ensuring accurate genetic material distribution.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death maintaining organism health.

Meiosis

Cell division producing gametes with genetic diversity.

Cell Cycle

Phases including interphase and mitosis for growth.

Mitosis Purpose

Distributes genetic material to daughter cells.

DNA Packaging

Chromatin condenses for accurate genetic division.

Growth Factors

Influence cell division and organism development.

Cancer Connection

Unregulated division leads to tumor formation.

Binary Fission

Asexual reproduction method in prokaryotes.

Somatic Cells

Body cells with diploid genetic content.

Gametes

Haploid cells for sexual reproduction.

Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosomes that pair during meiosis.

Autosomes

Non-sex chromosomes carrying genetic information.

Haploid Cells

Cells with one set of chromosomes.

Diploid Cells

Cells with two sets of chromosomes.

Crossing Over

Exchange of chromosomal segments during meiosis.

Centrioles

Organelles aiding in chromosome separation.

Gregor Mendel

Father of genetics known for pea plant experiments.

Law of Segregation

Alleles segregate during gamete formation.

Punnett Square

Diagram predicting genetic cross outcomes.

Monohybrid Cross

Cross involving one trait's alleles.

Dihybrid Cross

Cross involving two traits' alleles.

Independent Assortment

Alleles for different traits assort independently.

Dominant Traits

Require one allele copy to express.