Untitled Flashcards Set

Viruses vs Cells

Viruses are not considered living organisms; they do not have cellular structure and cannot reproduce on their own.

Classifications

A system of grouping organisms based on shared characteristics.

DNA Structure

DNA is composed of two strands forming a double helix, containing nucleotides made of a sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Cycles that describe the movement of chemical elements and compounds between living and non-living parts of the ecosystem.

CER

Claim, Evidence, Reasoning - a framework for constructing scientific explanations.

Structure of an Atom

Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons are in the nucleus, while electrons orbit the nucleus.

Six Key Elements of Life

Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur (CHNOPS).

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed through the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond that involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak chemical bond between an electronegative atom and a hydrogen atom bound to another electronegative atom.

Unique Properties of Water

Cohesion, adhesion, excellent solvent, high heat capacity, high heat of vaporization, and less dense when frozen.

Biological Implications of Water’s Polarity

Water's polarity allows it to form hydrogen bonds, which are essential for various biological processes such as protein folding, DNA structure, and enzyme function.

Molecule vs Compound

A molecule is a group of atoms bonded together. A compound is a molecule made of atoms from different elements.

Acidic Substances

Substances with a pH less than 7; they contain a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+).

Neutral Substances

Substances with a pH of 7; they have an equal concentration of hydrogen (H+) and hydroxide (OH-) ions.

Basic Substances

Substances with a pH greater than 7; they contain a lower concentration of hydrogen ions (H+).

Four Biological Molecules

Lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

Monomer of Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose).

Monomer of Lipids

Fatty acids and glycerol.

Monomer of Proteins

Amino acids.

Monomer of Nucleic Acids

Nucleotides.

Functions of Carbohydrates

Energy storage (e.g., starch, glycogen) and structural support (e.g., cellulose, chitin).

Composition of Carbohydrates

Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio (i.e., (CH2O)n).

Function of Lipids

Energy storage, insulation, and cell membrane structure.

Composition of Lipids

Primarily carbon and hydrogen, with some oxygen.

Function of Proteins

Enzymatic catalysis, structural support, transport, and defense.

Composition of Proteins

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur.

Function of Nucleic Acids

Storage and transmission of genetic information.

Composition of Nucleic Acids

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

Importance of Carbon in Organic Molecules

Carbon's ability to form stable bonds with other carbon atoms and a variety of other elements makes it ideal for forming the complex structures of organic molecules.

Enzyme Function

Enzymes act as catalysts to speed up biochemical reactions by lowering the activation energy.

Enzyme Interactions

Enzymes bind to substrates at the active site, forming an enzyme-substrate complex.

Importance of Enzymes

Enzymes are essential for digestion, metabolism, and other biological processes.

Hydrolysis

A decomposition chemical process in which a molecule of water is used to break the chemical bond between two substances.

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction in which two molecules are bonded together with the removal of a water molecule.

Effect of Temperature on Enzyme Function

Enzyme activity increases with temperature to an optimal point; beyond this, the enzyme denatures and activity decreases.

Effect of Concentration on Enzyme Function

Increasing substrate concentration increases the rate of reaction until all enzyme active sites are saturated.

Effect of pH on Enzyme Function

Enzymes have an optimal pH range; deviations from this range can alter enzyme shape and reduce activity.

Catabolic vs Anabolic Reaction

Catabolic reactions break down complex molecules, releasing energy. Anabolic reactions build complex molecules, requiring energy.

Enzyme Inhibition

A process in which a molecule inhibits the activities of enzymes. Competitive inhibition occurs when the inhibitor binds to the active site, preventing access for the normal substrate. Noncompetitive inhibition occurs when the inhibitor binds to a different site on the enzyme, altering its shape and reducing its activity.

Metabolism and Enzyme Function

Enzymes catalyze metabolic reactions, and metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions in an organism.

Enzyme Activity Outside Optimal Conditions

Outside optimal conditions, enzyme activity decreases, and enzymes may denature.

Characteristics of Life

Organization, metabolism, homeostasis, growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, adaptation, and evolution.

Ecological Organization

Organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere.

Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

Energy flows through an ecosystem from producers (autotrophs) to consumers (heterotrophs).

Ecological Pyramids

Graphical representation of energy, biomass, or numbers in an ecosystem. Types include pyramid of energy, pyramid of biomass, and pyramid of numbers.

10% Rule

Only about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next; the rest is lost as heat.

Bioaccumulation

The accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other organic chemicals in an organism.

Biomagnification

The concentration of toxins in an organism as a result of its ingesting other plants or animals in which the toxins are more widely dispersed.

Abiotic Components

Non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

Biotic Components

Living or once-living organisms in an ecosystem.

Keystone Species

A species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.

Trophic Cascades

Ecological process which starts at the top of the food chain and tumbles all the way down to the bottom.

Symbiosis

Interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.

Parasitism

A relationship between two species in which one organism (parasite) benefits and the other (host) is harmed.

Commensalism

A relationship between two species in which one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped.

Mutualism

A relationship between two species in which both organisms benefit.

Intraspecific Competition

Competition between individuals of the same species.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between individuals of different species.

Habitat vs Niche

A habitat is the place where an organism lives; a niche is the role an organism plays in its environment.

Parasitism vs Predation

Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed, while predation is when one organism kills and eats another.

Camouflage

Adaptation that allows animals to blend in with certain backgrounds.

Mimicry

The close external resemblance of an animal or plant (or part of one) to another animal, plant, or inanimate object.

Batesian Mimicry

Mimicry in which an edible animal is protected by its resemblance to a noxious one that is avoided by predators.

Mullerian Mimicry

A form of mimicry in which two or more noxious animals develop similar appearances as a shared protective device.

Logistic Growth

Population growth that levels off as population size approaches carrying capacity.

Exponential Growth

Population growth that occurs when resources are unlimited.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size of a biological species in a given environment.

Population Density

The number of individuals per unit area or volume.

Limiting Factors

Factors that limit the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population.

Density-Dependent Limiting Factors

Factors that affect population growth based on population density.

Density-Independent Limiting Factors

Factors that affect population growth regardless of population density.

Dynamic Equilibrium

Condition of continuous, random movement of particles but no overall change in concentration.

K Reproductive Strategy

Organisms reproduce late in life; few offspring; care for offspring.

R Reproductive Strategies

Organisms reproduce early in life; many small offspring; little parental care.

Autotrophs Role in Carbon Cycle

Absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and convert it into biomass.

Carbon Reservoirs

Atmosphere, oceans, soil, fossil fuels, and biomass.

Carbon Fluxes

Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.

Global Warming

A gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere.

Nitrogen Cycle

Processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment.

Phosphorus Cycle

Movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

Invasive Species

A plant, fungus, or animal that is not native to a specific location and tends to cause damage to the environment.

HIPPCO

Habitat Destruction, Invasive Species, Population Growth, Pollution, Climate Change, Overexploitation.

Tragedy of the Commons

An economic problem where individuals deplete common resources, leading to overall suffering.

Demographic Transition Model

Transition from high birth and death rates to lower birth and death rates as a country develops.

Age Structure Diagram

A visual representation of the number of individuals within specific age groups for a country.

Prokaryote vs Eukaryote

Prokaryotes lack a nucleus; eukaryotes have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Animal Cell vs Plant Cell

Plant cells have cell walls and chloroplasts; animal cells do not.

Parts of Cell Theory

All living organisms are composed of one or more cells; cells are the basic unit of structure and organization in organisms.

Cell Organelle Function

Cell structures that perform specific functions within a cell.

Lytic Cycle

Results in the destruction of the infected cell and its membrane.

Lysogenic Cycle

A viral reproductive cycle where the viral DNA is added to the host cell's DNA.

Cell Membrane

The semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell.

Active Transport

Movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane against concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Passive Transport

Membrane transport that does not require energy.

Osmosis

Process by which solvent molecules pass through a semipermeable membrane from less concentrated to more concentrated solution.

Hypotonic

Having a lower osmotic pressure than a particular fluid.

Hypertonic

Having a higher osmotic pressure than a particular fluid.

Isotonic

Having the same osmotic pressure as another solution.

Dehydration

Condition caused by excessive loss of water from the body.