Biology Regents Review Patterns Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the Biology Regents Review patterns, covering homeostasis, genetics, evolution, ecology, and engineering design.

Homeostasis

The process by which the body responds to move an internal condition back toward equilibrium after it has moved away from a normal range.

Set point

The normal range of an internal condition that the body seeks to maintain.

Feedback loop

A system where the body detects a change in a stimulus and triggers a response to return the condition toward a normal set point.

Stimulus

A change in an internal condition that is detected by a receptor.

Response

The action that occurs after a receptor detects a change, aimed at returning the condition toward normal.

Equilibrium

A state of balance toward which the body returns internal conditions during homeostasis.

Insulin

A hormone involved in regulating blood glucose levels as part of a homeostasis feedback loop.

EPO

A substance involved in regulating oxygen levels within the body.

Transcription

The step in gene expression where DNA is used as a template to create mRNA.

mRNA

The molecule produced during transcription that carries instructions from DNA to be translated into protein.

Translation

The process where mRNA is used to assemble a protein.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can affect an organism by altering proteins and traits.

Gene expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional protein, influencing a trait.

Cell Specialization

The process where cells with the same DNA use different activated genes to produce different proteins and perform different functions.

Natural Selection

The process where variation exists, individuals with helpful traits survive and reproduce, and those traits are passed on to change the population over time.

Common Ancestry

The concept that different species are related, supported by evidence such as similar DNA, proteins, fossils, homologous structures, and embryology.

Homologous structures

Similar physical structures in different organisms that serve as evidence for a common ancestor.

Embryology

The study of development in different species used as evidence to support common ancestry.

Biodiversity

The variety of different species in an ecosystem, where higher levels generally lead to greater ecosystem stability.

Ecosystem stability

The ability of an ecosystem to remain steady, which increases as the number of species and interactions increases.

Trophic levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem through which energy decreases as it moves from one level to the next.

Biomass

The total mass of organisms in a given area, which is lower at higher trophic levels due to energy loss.

Trade-offs

The decision to sacrifice one thing (such as cost) in order to gain or achieve something else (such as an eco-friendly solution).

Criteria

The requirements used to evaluate the effectiveness of an engineering solution, including reliability and safety.

Constraints

The limits on an engineering solution, such as cost, maintenance, environmental impacts, social impacts, and aesthetics.