BIO 1010 Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from BIO 1010 lecture notes.

Atom

The basic building block of matter

Molecule

Two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

Macromolecules

Large polymers made up of smaller repeating units (monomers).

Organelle

A structure within a cell that performs a specific function.

Cell

The basic unit of life.

Covalent Bond

Interatomic linkage that results from the sharing of electron pairs between two atoms.

Ionic Bond

Linkage formed from the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Hydrogen Bond

A special type of dipole-dipole attraction between molecules, not a covalent bond to hydrogen atoms.

Carbohydrates

Biological macromolecules that serve as a primary source of energy and provide structural support in cells.

Lipids

Biological macromolecules that include fats, oils, and waxes. They are important for energy storage, insulation, and cell membrane structure.

Proteins

Biological macromolecules that perform a wide variety of functions, including catalyzing reactions, transporting molecules, and providing structural support.

Nucleic acids

Biological macromolecules, such as DNA and RNA, that store and transmit genetic information.

Polymers

Macromolecules formed by joining multiple monomers together

Monomers

The small building blocks that make up macromolecules

Hydrolysis

Breaking down polymers into monomers by adding water.

Dehydration synthesis

A reaction that joins monomers to form polymers, releasing water

Prokaryotic cell

A cell that lacks a nuclear envelope.

Eukaryotic cell

A cell that has a nucleus in which the genetic material is separated from the cytoplasm.

Nucleus

Stores genetic information in the form of DNA and controls the cell's activities

Cell membrane

A selectively permeable barrier that encloses and protects the cell and regulates the movement of substances into and out of the cell.

Passive transport

Movement of substances down their concentration gradient without requiring energy.

Active transport

Movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy expenditure

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Osmosis

The movement of water molecules from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration, through a semi-permeable membrane

ATP

The primary energy currency of cells, acting as a storage and release mechanism for energy.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process.

Endergonic Reaction

A reaction that requires energy input.

Exergonic Reaction

A reaction that releases energy.

Anabolic Reaction

A reaction that builds up complex molecules

Catabolic Reaction

A reaction that breaks down complex molecules

Fermentation

A metabolic process where microorganisms convert carbohydrates into other compounds, often without oxygen.

Cell Cycle

A four-stage process of cell division: G1, S, G2, and M.

Mitosis

A crucial part of the cell cycle, ensuring accurate distribution of DNA to daughter cells.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis, where chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes and the nuclear membrane breaks down.

Metaphase

A stage in mitosis and meiosis, where chromosomes align at the center of the cell, forming the metaphase plate.

Anaphase

The phase of cell division where sister chromatids are separated and move to opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase

The final phase of both mitosis and meiosis where the duplicated chromosomes have been separated and are ready to form new nuclei.

Meiosis

A two-stage cell division process that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing four genetically unique daughter cells.

Binary Fission

A method of asexual reproduction used by prokaryotic organisms to divide into two identical daughter cells.

Genetic Variation

Arises from changes in an organism's DNA, including mutations, recombination during sexual reproduction, and gene flow.

Environmental Variation

Refers to differences in an individual's environment or lifestyle, which can also influence traits.

Allele

A version of a gene that can be passed down from parent to offspring.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual, represented by the combination of alleles they inherit.

Punnett Square

It is a diagram used to predict an outcome of a particular cross or breeding experiment.

Codominance

Both alleles are fully expressed in the heterozygous offspring, resulting in a phenotype that shows both traits.

Incomplete Dominance

The heterozygous offspring displays a phenotype that is a blend of the two parental traits.

DNA

Composed of two strands of nucleotides and it's structure is a double helix, resembling a twisted ladder.

DNA Replication

The process where a cell creates an exact copy of its DNA, ensuring that each new cell produced during cell division receives a complete set of genetic information.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

Central Dogma

Describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Mutations

Changes in an organism's DNA, the genetic material that determines traits.

Transcription

The process of copying DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process of using mRNA to synthesize a protein.

Natural Selection

A process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits on to future generations.

Homologous Structures

Structures that share a common evolutionary origin but may have different functions in different species.

Genetic Drift

A random change in the frequency of gene variants (alleles) within a population, primarily driven by chance events rather than natural selection.

Species

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

Speciation

The evolutionary process by which new species arise.

Allopatric Speciation

The formation of new species through geographic isolation.

Sympatric Speciation

Occurs when new species arise from a single, ancestral population within the same geographical area.