bio part 1 regent review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key biology concepts from Units 1 through 7, including biochemistry, cell transport, homeostasis, energy processes, genetics, and biotechnology.

Organic

A substance containing both carbon and hydrogen that all living things are made up of.

Inorganic

Substances that do not contain both carbon and hydrogen, such as water and minerals.

Monomer

A small unit that joins with other units to form a larger molecule.

Polymer

A large molecule made up of many monomers linked together.

Glucose

A simple sugar ($C_{6}H_{12}O_{6}$) that serves as a monomer of starch and a primary energy source for cells.

Starch

A complex carbohydrate used for energy that acts as a polymer of glucose.

Amino Acids

The building blocks or monomers that make up proteins.

Proteins

Large molecules made of amino acid chains that perform functions such as digesting food and defending the body.

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids ($DNA$ and $RNA$) consisting of a phosphate, sugar, and nitrogen base.

Nucleic Acids

Large molecules like $DNA$ and $RNA$ that store and pass down genetic information.

Lipids

Macromolecules such as fats that store energy and are important for insulation and protection.

Synthesis

A chemical reaction where two or more simple substances combine to make or put together a more complex substance.

Digestion

A chemical reaction where macromolecules are broken down into smaller, simpler parts.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts made of protein that speed up chemical reactions for synthesis or digestion.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration without the use of energy.

Active Transport

The movement of molecules from an area of low concentration to high concentration using energy in the form of $ATP$.

Selectively Permeable

A property of the cell membrane that only allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a cell membrane from high water concentration to low water concentration.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution where the water concentration is higher outside the cell than inside, causing water to flow into the cell.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution where the water concentration is lower outside the cell than inside, causing water to leave the cell.

Isotonic Solution

A solution where the water concentration is equal on both sides of the cell, resulting in no net flow of water.

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment through constant adjustments.

Dynamic Equilibrium

A balanced state where internal conditions constantly change but stay within a normal range to ensure homeostasis.

Feedback Mechanism

A system where the body reacts to a stimulus to maintain homeostasis, such as shivering to generate heat.

Insulin

A hormone made by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter cells and lowers blood sugar.

Glucagon

A hormone that raises blood glucose levels by releasing stored glucose.

Hormones

Chemical messengers made by endocrine glands that travel through the blood to attach to specific cell receptors.

Receptor

A protein on a cell that attaches to a hormone based on a specific shape, acting like a puzzle piece.

Stomata

Pores on the bottom of a plant leaf responsible for gas exchange, allowing $CO_{2}$ in and $O_{2}$ out.

Guard Cells

Cells that surround the stomata and control gas exchange by opening and closing the pore.

Carbon Sink

A part of the Earth, like the ocean, that stores more carbon dioxide ($CO_{2}$) than it releases.

Photosynthesis

The process by which autotrophs use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make glucose and oxygen.

Chloroplast

The organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment that absorbs light energy necessary for photosynthesis.

Autotroph

An organism, such as a plant, that automatically makes its own food; also known as a producer.

Heterotroph

An organism that must eat other organisms for energy because it cannot make its own food; also known as a consumer.

Cellular Respiration

The process of breaking down glucose in the mitochondria to release energy in the form of $ATP$.

Aerobic Respiration

The most efficient type of cellular respiration that requires oxygen to break down glucose.

Anaerobic Respiration

A type of cellular respiration that does not use oxygen, such as fermentation.

Mitochondria

The organelle where glucose is broken down to produce $ATP$; known as the power source of the cell.

$$ATP$$

The primary energy molecule used by cells to perform activities like growth and active transport.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

A type of anaerobic respiration occurring in bacteria and human muscle cells that produces lactic acid.

Alcoholic Fermentation

A type of anaerobic respiration occurring in yeast that produces alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Gene

A portion of a chromosome that contains the instructions for making a specific protein.

Selective Breeding

The intentional mating of organisms with desirable traits to produce offspring with those same traits.

Cloning

The process of creating a genetically identical copy of a gene, cell, or organism.

Genetic Engineering

The process where humans alter the genes of an organism to produce beneficial traits or $GMOs$.

Restriction Enzyme

An enzyme that cuts $DNA$ at a specific sequence, acting like scissors for genetic engineering.

Recombinant $DNA$

Genetic material that has been produced by joining $DNA$ from two or more different sources.