Life Science Biology Regents Review Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Structure and Function, Energy and Matter, Ecosystem Units, Inheritance, Evolution, and Engineering for the Life Science Biology Regents Exam.

Transcription

The process where a DNA base sequence is converted into mRNA.

Translation

The process where an mRNA sequence is converted into an amino acid sequence.

Hormones

A type of protein used for signaling within the body.

Enzymes

A type of protein that acts as a biological catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.

Structural proteins

A type of protein that provides physical support and framework for the body.

Cell receptors

A type of protein that receives signals and allows cells to communicate.

Antibodies

A type of protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects.

Hierarchical organization

The levels of biological structure consisting of: atoms $\rightarrow$ molecules $\rightarrow$ cells $\rightarrow$ tissues $\rightarrow$ organs $\rightarrow$ organ systems $\rightarrow$ organism.

Negative feedback

A mechanism that restores balance by counteracting a change to maintain homeostasis.

Positive feedback

A mechanism that amplifies a change rather than reversing it.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment; its breakdown is exemplified by conditions like Type 1 Diabetes.

Photosynthesis

The process used by plants to convert energy, producing outputs that serve as inputs for cellular respiration.

Cellular respiration

A process occurring in both plants and animals that uses inputs from photosynthesis to release energy.

10% Rule

The principle stating that only a fraction of energy is passed between trophic levels; for example, if producers have $10,000\,J$, secondary consumers receive $100\,J$.

Energy flow

The one-way movement of energy through an ecosystem that is not recycled.

Matter cycling

The continuous reuse of atoms across the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

Biomolecules

The four main types of organic molecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Carrying capacity

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain based on limiting factors.

Functional redundancy

A property of biodiversity where multiple species perform similar functions, increasing ecosystem resilience.

Primary succession

The series of community changes which occur on an entirely new habitat which has never been colonized before.

Secondary succession

The series of community changes which take place on a previously colonized, but disturbed or damaged habitat.

Mitosis

A type of cell division for growth that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent.

Meiosis

A type of cell division for reproduction that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.

Differentiation

The process by which a single zygote develops into a complex organism with specialized cells.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, often predicted using Punnett squares.

Phenotype

The observable physical characteristics of an organism resulting from its genotype and environment.

Homozygous

An individual having two identical alleles for a particular gene.

Heterozygous

An individual having two different alleles for a particular gene.

CRISPR

A technology used for genetic engineering to modify DNA sequences.

Natural selection

A non-random mechanism of evolution where directional selection acts on existing variation.

Gene flow

The transfer of genetic material from one population to another.

Genetic drift

A mechanism of evolution involving random changes in the frequency of gene variants in a population.

R&D Cycle

The engineering process steps: Define, Design, Test, Analyze/Argue, and Iterate.

Criteria

The specific goals or requirements that an engineering design must meet.

Constraints

The limits or restrictions placed on an engineering design, such as time or materials.

Trade-off

A deliberate choice in engineering to sacrifice one feature or quality in order to gain another.

Iteration

The central engineering practice of repeating cycles of testing and revision to improve a design.