Biology Finals Review Sem 1

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key biological principles and concepts needed for the Biology finals.

Homeostasis

The process by which organisms maintain a stable internal environment essential for survival.

Feedback Mechanism

A process that uses the conditions of one component to regulate the function of the other, thus maintaining homeostasis.

Negative Feedback

A regulatory mechanism that reverses changes to restore balance in the body.

Positive Feedback

A mechanism that amplifies changes in the same direction until a specific endpoint is reached.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and have few organelles; examples include bacteria and archaea.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that have a membrane-bound nucleus and numerous organelles; examples include plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within an organism, including digestion and synthesis.

Enzymes

Protein catalysts that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed, following the 'Lock & Key' model.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight.

Cellular Respiration

The biochemical process that breaks down glucose to release energy (ATP), primarily occurring in mitochondria.

Immune System

The body's defense mechanism against pathogens, consisting of layered responses like barriers, nonspecific responses, and specific immune responses.

Antigen

A unique protein marker on the surface of cells that triggers an immune response.

Antibody

A Y-shaped protein created by white blood cells that binds to specific antigens to flag pathogens for destruction.

CNS (Central Nervous System)

The control center of the body, consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system that regulate various body functions.

Glucose

A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms, produced by photosynthesis.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.