Key Concepts in Natural Selection, Ecology, Energy Metabolism, and Chemistry

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on natural selection, ecology, energy metabolism, and introductory chemistry, providing essential definitions for ATI TEAS students preparing for their exam.

Natural Selection

The process by which individuals with traits better suited to their environment have a higher likelihood of surviving and reproducing.

Mutation

A random change in DNA that introduces new genetic variations into a population; can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species due to populations becoming isolated from one another.

Ecology

The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Energy Metabolism

The biological process that transforms food into energy necessary for the body to function.

Glycolysis

The first stage of energy metabolism that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing some ATP without oxygen.

Citric Acid Cycle

A stage of energy metabolism that occurs in the mitochondria, converting pyruvate into acetyl-CoA and producing ATP, NADH, and carbon dioxide.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The stage in energy metabolism where ATP is produced from ADP and inorganic phosphate via the electron transport chain.

Atoms

The basic units of matter, made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Chemical Bonds

Forces that hold atoms together in molecules; includes ionic and covalent bonds.

Chemical Reactions

Processes that involve rearranging atoms to create new substances, depicted by chemical equations.

States of Matter

Physical forms in which matter exists, including solid, liquid, and gas.

Solutions

Homogeneous mixtures of two or more substances, consisting of solute and solvent.

Acids and Bases

Substances that release hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) in water, respectively.

pH Scale

A measurement of the acidity or basicity of a solution, ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic) with 7 being neutral.