apbio quick review

What is a cell?

The basic unit of life, existing as both unicellular and multicellular organisms.

What is the function of the nucleus?

The nucleus serves as the control center of the cell, housing DNA and coordinating activities such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Define osmosis.

The movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

What is photosynthesis?

The process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.

What is cellular respiration?

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.

What is an enzyme?

A protein that acts as a catalyst to accelerate chemical reactions in the body.

What is natural selection?

A mechanism of evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Define mutation.

A change in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's DNA that can lead to changes in phenotype and possibly contribute to evolution.

What is a genotype?

The genetic constitution of an individual organism, usually in reference to specific traits.

What is a phenotype?

The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, as determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences.

What is a food chain?

A linear sequence showing the transfer of energy and nutrients from one organism to another within an ecosystem.

Define ecosystem.

A community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.

What is a biome?

A large geographic biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions.

What is homeostasis?

The ability of an organism to maintain stable internal conditions despite changes in external environments.

What is a lipid?

A diverse group of hydrophobic molecules that include fats, oils, and steroids that are important for energy storage and cell membranes.

Define allele.

One of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome.

What is a diploid cell?

A cell that contains two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

What is meiosis?

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing four haploid cells, essential for sexual reproduction.

What is osmoregulation?

The process by which organisms regulate the water and solute concentrations of their body fluids.

What is a population?

A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and interact with each other.

What are homologous structures?

Anatomical features in different species that share a common ancestry despite having different functions.

What is a trophic level?

Each step in a food chain or food web, representing different levels of energy transfer and nutrient flow in an ecosystem.

Define symbiosis.

A close and often long-term interaction between two different biological species.

What is an antigen?

A molecule or part of a molecule that is recognized by the immune system, potentially causing an immune response.

What is a vaccine?

A preparation that provides immunity to a particular infectious disease by stimulating the body's immune response.

What are the four macromolecules of life?

Nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.

What is chlorophyll?

A green pigment found in plants that is vital for photosynthesis, absorbing light energy.

Define biodiversity.

The variety and variability of life on Earth, encompassing the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystems.

What is a chromosome?

A thread-like structure made of DNA that contains genes and is found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

What is DNA replication?

The process of making a copy of DNA prior to cell division, ensuring that each new cell receives an identical set of DNA.

Define genetic drift.

A mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the allele frequencies of a population.

What is sexual reproduction?

A biological process where new organisms are created through the combination of genetic material from two parents.