Accelerated Biology Final Exam Study Guide 2026 Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards for the Accelerated Biology Final Exam 2026, covering units 5 through 8 and midyear review topics.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; a structure of RNA involved in the process of transcription and translation.

Transcription

The process of creating an RNA strand from a DNA sequence, involving specific enzymes.

Translation

The process of synthesizing a polypeptide using the information from mRNA and a CODON chart.

Silent Mutation

A mutation in the DNA sequence of a gene that does not result in a phenotypic change in an offspring.

Point (missense) Mutation

A mutation involving a change in a single nucleotide that may result in a different amino acid sequence.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by insertions or deletions that shifts the reading frame of the genetic message.

Selectively Permeable

A property of the cell membrane that allows only certain substances to pass through based on its structure.

Diffusion

A form of cellular transport involving the movement of particles from areas of high concentration to low concentration.

Osmosis

The specific diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Facilitated Diffusion

A form of passive transport that uses membrane proteins to move substances across the cell membrane.

Active Transport

Cellular transport that requires energy to move materials against a concentration gradient.

Hypertonic

A condition where the solute concentration outside the cell is higher, causing water to move out of the cell.

Hypotonic

A condition where the solute concentration outside the cell is lower, causing water to move into the cell.

Isotonic

A condition where solute concentrations are equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net water movement.

CDK and Cyclin

Regulatory molecules that play a role in controlling the checkpoints of the cell cycle.

$$p53$$

A specific protein that plays a role in regulating the cell cycle and preventing the development of cancer.

Mitosis

A type of cell division undergone by somatic cells where the number of chromosomes remains constant.

Meiosis

A process of cell division that results in the formation of haploid cells for reproduction.

Zygote

The cell formed by the process of fertilization.

Synapsis and Crossing Over

Events that take place during meiosis where homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange genetic material.

Nondisjunction

A chromosomal mutation occurring when chromosomes fail to separate properly during division.

Polyploidy

A chromosomal condition where an organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes.

Semi-conservative Replication

The correct hypothesis of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one new strand.

Incomplete Dominance

A genetic inheritance pattern where the phenotype is a blend (e.g., black and white dogs producing an intermediate trait).

Co-dominance

A genetic inheritance pattern where both alleles are fully expressed (e.g., brown and black fur in cats).

$X$-linked Trait

A trait associated with a gene located on the $X$ chromosome, such as male pattern baldness.

Polygenic Trait

A trait, such as skin color in humans, that is controlled by the interaction of multiple genes.

Pedigree

A chart used to track inheritance patterns and determine genotypes within a family tree.

Law of Segregation

Mendel's law stating that allele pairs separate during gamete formation.

Law of Independent Assortment

Mendel's law stating that different genes independently separate from one another when reproductive cells develop.

Photosynthesis

A chemical reaction involving reactants like $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ to produce glucose and $O_2$ for the purpose of energy storage.

Cellular Respiration

A chemical reaction that breaks down reactants to produce $ATP$, $CO_2$, and $H_2O$, occurring in the mitochondria.

Aerobic

Processes or organisms that require the presence of oxygen.

Anaerobic

Processes or organisms that occur in the absence of oxygen.

$$ATP$$

Adenosine triphosphate; the primary energy molecule used in metabolism.

Cladogram

A diagram used for interpreting evolutionary relationships between different species.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment through feedback loops.

Endosymbiosis

The theory providing evidence that certain organelles, like mitochondria and chloroplasts, originated from symbiotic relationships.