Quarterly Review Sheet: Scientific Method, Life Processes, and Body Systems

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on the scientific method, life processes, cells and organelles, and human body systems.

What is the independent variable in an experiment?

The factor that you change on purpose (e.g., light intensity).

What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

What you measure or observe (e.g., ripening time of tomatoes).

What is the control group?

The group that does not get the experimental treatment and is used for comparison.

What are constants in an experiment?

Factors that stay the same in all groups (e.g., type of plant, amount of soil, water).

What improves the reliability of experimental results?

Repeating the experiment several times and using more test subjects (sample size).

What is nutrition?

Taking in food and breaking it down for energy and growth.

What does transport refer to in life processes?

Moving materials (like nutrients and oxygen) around the body or cell.

What is respiration?

Releasing energy from food, usually using oxygen.

What does excretion mean?

Getting rid of waste made by the body’s activities.

What is regulation in the context of life processes?

Controlling and coordinating body processes to stay balanced.

What does growth refer to?

Increasing in size or number of cells.

What is reproduction?

Making new organisms of the same kind.

What does synthesis mean in biological terms?

Building complex substances from simpler ones, like making proteins.

What is metabolism?

All the chemical activities that happen in the body to keep it alive, including all life functions working together.

What are mitochondria?

The powerhouse of the cell; does cellular respiration to make usable energy (ATP).

What are chloroplasts?

Found only in plants; the site of photosynthesis that uses sunlight to make food.

What is the function of the nucleus?

Controls the cell and holds DNA, which has instructions for making proteins.

What are genes?

Sections of DNA that code for specific traits.

What do ribosomes do?

Build proteins using instructions from DNA.

What does the cell membrane do?

Controls what enters and leaves the cell.

What is the function of the cell wall?

Provides support and structure to plant cells.

What is homeostasis?

Keeping the body's internal conditions stable (like temperature, sugar level, or water balance).

How does the respiratory system maintain homeostasis?

By bringing in oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.

What does the circulatory system do?

Moves oxygen and nutrients to body cells.

What are hormones involved in blood sugar regulation?

Insulin and Glucagon.

What does insulin do?

Lowers blood sugar levels.

What does glucagon do?

Raises blood sugar levels.

Which organ releases insulin and glucagon?

The pancreas.

How are blood sugar levels regulated?

By negative feedback mechanisms.

What happens if insulin doesn't work properly?

Sugar levels stay high, which can lead to diabetes.

What is photosynthesis?

The process by which plants make food (glucose) using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.

What is the equation for photosynthesis?

Carbon dioxide + Water + Sunlight → Glucose + Oxygen.

What is cellular respiration?

The process by which cells break down food to make energy (ATP).

Where does cellular respiration take place?

In the mitochondria.

What is the equation for cellular respiration?

Glucose + Oxygen → Energy (ATP) + Carbon dioxide + Water.

What are starches?

Stored forms of sugar (energy) used by animals when food is limited.

What is the digestive system's function?

Breaks down food into nutrients.

What does the respiratory system do?

Exchanges gases (O₂ and CO₂).

What is the role of the circulatory system?

Transports materials such as nutrients and oxygen.

What does the nervous system do?

Sends signals and controls body functions.

What is the function of the endocrine system?

Produces hormones to control body processes.