Biology exam dtudy

What is a cell?

The basic unit of life that makes up all living organisms.

What is the function of the nucleus?

It houses the cell's genetic material and controls cellular activities.

What are ribosomes?

Cellular structures that synthesize proteins.

What is the role of mitochondria?

Known as the powerhouse of the cell, they produce energy through respiration.

What is photosynthesis?

The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

What is the cell membrane?

A protective barrier that surrounds the cell, controlling what enters and exits.

Define osmosis.

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

What are chromosomes?

Structures made of DNA that contain the genetic information.

Define meiosis.

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing gametes.

What is cellular respiration?

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy.

What are enzymes?

Proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body.

What is DNA?

A molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life.

What is an allele?

A variant form of a gene.

Define ecosystem.

A community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

What is natural selection?

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

What is a food chain?

A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass.

Define habitat.

The natural environment in which a species lives.

What is biodiversity?

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat.

What does homeostasis mean?

The ability of an organism to maintain stable internal conditions.

Define synthesis.

The process of combining simpler substances to form a more complex product.

What is a virus?

A microscopic infectious agent that can only replicate inside living host cells.

What are prokaryotic cells?

Single-celled organisms that do not have a nucleus.

What is the cell cycle?

The series of phases that cells go through as they grow and divide.

What is mitosis?

The process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Define chlorophyll.

A green pigment found in plants that is essential for photosynthesis.

What is a mutation?

A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in traits.

What is a trophic level?

The position an organism occupies in a food chain.

What are macromolecules?

Large molecules essential for life, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

Define homeotic genes.

Genes that regulate the development of anatomical structures in various organisms.

What is the difference between a eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell?

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus; prokaryotic cells do not.

Define symbiosis.

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

What is a phenotype?

The observable characteristics of an organism.

What is a genotype?

The genetic constitution of an organism.

What is selective breeding?

The process of breeding plants and animals for particular traits.

What is a stem cell?

A unique cell capable of developing into different cell types.

Define phylogenetics.

The study of evolutionary relationships among biological entities.

What are hormones?

Chemical messengers produced by glands that regulate physiological processes.

What is the primary function of the circulatory system?

To transport nutrients and oxygen to cells and remove waste products.

What are the four stages of cellular respiration?

Glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

Define antigen.

A molecule capable of inducing an immune response.

What is a biome?

A large area characterized by specific climate conditions and types of plants and animals.

What is genetic drift?

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

Define adaptation.

The process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Define organelle.

A specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function.

What is an ecosystem service?

The benefits that humans derive from ecosystems.

What role does the golgi apparatus play in the cell?

It modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or use within the cell.

Define cladistics.

A method of classifying species based on common ancestry.

What is the structure of DNA?

A double helix formed by two strands of nucleotides.

What is the primary function of the immune system?

To defend against pathogens and disease.

What is a key innovation in evolution?

A novel trait that significantly improves success in a particular environment.

What are the two main types of vascular tissue in plants?

Xylem and phloem.

Define species.

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

What is chromatin?

The complex of DNA and proteins found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

What is an endotherm?

An organism that can regulate its body temperature through metabolic processes.

What is exocytosis?

The process by which a cell expels materials in vesicles.

What are the components of the central nervous system?

The brain and spinal cord.

What does a phylogenetic tree represent?

The evolutionary relationships among various biological species.

Define ecology.

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

What is an atom?

The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

What is a biotic factor?

Any living component that affects another organism.

Define abiotic factor.

Non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment.

What is the difference between innate and adaptive immunity?

Innate immunity is the body's first line of defense; adaptive immunity adapts and targets specific pathogens.

What is cell differentiation?

The process by which cells become specialized in structure and function.

What is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?

To synthesize proteins and transport them to the Golgi apparatus.

Define community in ecology.

A group of interacting species living in the same area.

What is the role of chloroplasts?

To conduct photosynthesis by converting sunlight into chemical energy.

What is biotechnology?

The use of biological systems or living organisms to develop or create products.

Define conservation biology.

The study of the preservation of biodiversity.

What is a phenotype-environment interaction?

The effect of environmental factors on the expression of genetic traits.

What are pheromones?

Chemical signals released by an organism to communicate with others.

What is a keystone species?

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

Define biomes.

Large ecological areas on the Earth's surface with distinct animal and plant groups.

What is Homo sapiens?

The scientific name for modern humans.

What are adaptations?

Traits that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce.

What defines a protoplast?

A plant cell with the cell wall removed.

Define biochemistry.

The study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms.

What does the term 'genetic engineering' encompass?

The modification of an organism's genetic material using biotechnology.

What is bioinformatics?

The application of computer technology to the management of biological information.

What are signal transduction pathways?

Routes by which signals are transmitted through cells.

What is the primary function of the lymphatic system?

To help defend against infections and maintain fluid balance.

Define ecology.

The branch of biology that deals with the relationships of organisms to one another and to their environment.