NYS Living Environment Regents Exam Review

These flashcards cover essential topics and concepts necessary for the NYS Living Environment Regents Exam, including definitions, processes, and distinctions relevant to the course material.

What does Part A of the NYS Living Environment Exam consist of?

General knowledge multiple choice questions worth 30 points.

What is required in Part B of the NYS Living Environment Exam?

A mix of multiple choice and short answer questions, including a line graph, worth 25 points.

What does Part C of the exam assess?

Your ability to apply material learned to real world situations through short answer questions, worth 15 points.

What does Part D of the exam cover?

Multiple choice and short answer questions pertaining to the 4 NYS labs performed during the school year, worth 15 points.

What is the definition of 'observation' in the Scientific Method?

What is seen or measured.

What is a hypothesis?

A prediction based on available evidence, stating both cause and effect, often formatted as an 'if-then' statement.

What distinguishes a control group from an experimental group in an experiment?

The control group does not receive the treatment being tested, while the experimental group does.

What is the independent variable in an experiment?

The variable that is being tested; it is the 'if' part of an 'if-then' hypothesis and is plotted on the X-axis.

What is the dependent variable?

The variable that is measured at the end of an experiment; the results, representing the 'then' part of the 'if-then' hypothesis, plotted on the Y-axis.

Define homeostasis.

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment necessary for survival.

What is metabolism?

All life processes needed to maintain homeostasis, which include growth, respiration, digestion, and excretion.

What are carbohydrates?

Sugars and starches that serve as an immediate source of energy, stored energy, and structural functions (e.g., cellulose).

What is the function of enzymes?

Enzymes act as catalysts that control all chemical reactions in the body.

What are nucleic acids responsible for?

Making up genes and chromosomes and storing/transmitting hereditary information.

What is the mitochondria's role in a cell?

It carries out chemical respiration to produce energy for the cell.

Define abiotic factors in an ecosystem.

Non-living components like air, water, light, temperature, and nutrients that affect living organisms.

What is ecological succession?

A series of predictable changes that occur in a community over time.

What is a vaccine?

An injection of a dead or weakened pathogen to trigger the body to make antibodies against it.

What does a karyotype reveal?

A photograph of an organism's chromosomes that can determine chromosomal disorders.

What is a major cause of cancer?

Uncontrolled cell division forming a tumor, often triggered by factors like radiation and chemicals.

What is the main function of the circulatory system?

To transport materials throughout the body, including nutrients, oxygen, and hormones.

What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Aerobic respiration requires oxygen and produces more ATP, whereas anaerobic respiration does not require oxygen and produces less ATP.

What is the role of feedback mechanisms in organisms?

They are cycles in which one reaction's product causes another to start or stop, helping to maintain homeostasis.

Define speciation.

The process by which new species arise from an existing species.

What is the difference between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition?

Autotrophic nutrition involves organisms making their own food from inorganic materials, while heterotrophic nutrition requires organisms to consume other organisms.

What is biodiversity?

The variety of life on earth, which is essential for ecosystem stability.

How do mutations affect an organism?

They can change DNA and potentially alter the shape and function of proteins, affecting traits.

What are common causes of habitat destruction?

Industrialization, agriculture, deforestation, and urban development that reduce the natural habitats of organisms.

What function do chloroplasts serve?

They carry out photosynthesis in plant and algae cells.