Issues In Science Exam

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering nuclear energy, DNA structure, the Human Genome Project, scientific ethics, radiometric dating, and evolutionary theory based on lecture notes.

Nuclear reaction

A process in which an atomic nucleus collides with another nucleus or a subatomic particle to form one or more new nuclides.

Fusion

A nuclear reaction that combines two light atoms into one heavier atom.

Fission

A nuclear reaction that splits a single heavy, unstable atom into two or more smaller ones.

Radioactive decay

The spontaneous process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.

Uranium-235

The specific isotope of Uranium used as fuel in nuclear power plants.

Uranium enrichment

The process of increasing the concentration of the isotope $U-235$ in natural uranium.

Manhattan Project

A top-secret U.S. government research and development program during World War II created to produce the world's first atomic bombs.

Gametes

Specialized reproductive cells, specifically sperm in males and eggs in females, that carry hereditary material to the next generation.

DNA replication

The biological process where a cell copies its genome before dividing.

Complementary base pairing

The specific matching of DNA bases where Thymine pairs with Adenine, and Cytosine pairs with Guanine.

Human genome (haploid)

The genetic sequence that is approximately $3.1$ billion base pairs long.

Human genome (diploid)

The full genetic complement in most human cells, translating to roughly $6.2$ billion base pairs.

Gene

The basic physical and functional unit of heredity, composed of specific sequences of DNA.

Human Genome Project

An historic, international scientific research endeavor that successfully mapped and sequenced the entire human genetic code.

Genetic diseases

Conditions caused by abnormalities in a person's genetic material, specifically their DNA or chromosomes.

Research honesty

The ethical commitment to transparent, truthful, and unbiased practices across the entire research lifecycle.

Social responsibility of the researcher

The ethical and moral obligation to ensure that research benefits society while minimizing harm.

Responsible conduct of research (RCR)

The practice of scientific investigation with integrity, including training on ethical topics and avoiding research misconduct.

Comparative Embryology

The study of early developmental stages in different species to reveal similarities not visible in adult forms.

Biogeography

The study of how species are distributed across the planet.

Radiometric dating

A technique used to determine the absolute age of rocks, fossils, and artifacts by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes.

Relative dating

The science of determining the sequential order of past events, objects, or fossils without establishing an exact numerical age.

Carbon-14 dating

A scientific method used to determine the age of organic materials by measuring the remaining amount of the radioactive isotope $^{14}C$.

Half-life

The time required for half of a given quantity of a substance to decay, react, or be eliminated.

Radioisotope

An unstable type of isotope that undergoes radioactive decay and releases excess energy as radiation to become stable.

Isotope

An atom of the same chemical element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Transformation

The process demonstrated by Griffith's experiment showing that bacteria can transfer genetic information.

DNA

The molecule that stores all of an organism's genetic information and is permanently locked inside the cell's nucleus.

RNA

A disposable copy of a specific DNA instruction that acts as a messenger and worker molecule, capable of leaving the nucleus.

Protein

The molecular "workhorses" of the cell that make up structures, act as enzymes, and regulate bodily functions.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The two-step process of transcription (copying DNA into mRNA) and translation (reading mRNA to build amino acids) to create proteins.

Age of the Universe

Approximately $13.8$ billion years old.

Age of the Earth

Approximately $4.54$ billion years old.

Cosmic Microwave Background

The faint leftover radiation or "afterglow" from the Big Bang that cleared when the universe became transparent.

Fine tuning for the Universe

The specific values of physical constants and conditions that allow the universe to develop enough to support life.

Evolution

The gradual process of growth, change, or development where genetic traits change over generations, often relying on natural selection.

Natural selection

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

Common descent

An evolutionary concept describing how different species share a common ancestor from which they diverged over time.

Mutation in DNA

A permanent, unintended change in the sequence of bases ($A$, $C$, $T$, $G$) that make up the genetic code.