Bio 204/L First Exam Review Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the entire Bio 204/L First Exam material including History of Biology, Scientific Process, Characteristics of Life, Taxonomy, Basic Chemistry, Chemical Bonding, and Biological Molecules.

Aristotle

Considered the 'Father of Biology' who pioneered animal behavior/anatomy studies and early organism classification.

BIO

Greek word root meaning 'Life'.

logos

Greek word root meaning 'To Study/The Study'.

Ayurveda

Ancient Indian system ('Science of Life', from Ayur = Life, Veda = Science/Knowledge) originating over 3,000 years ago.

Acupuncture

A Traditional Chinese Practice involving needle insertion along meridians.

Moxibustion

A Traditional Chinese Practice involving the burning of dried mugwort.

Cupping

A Traditional Chinese Practice using heated cups to create a vacuum.

Tui Na

A Traditional Chinese Practice of therapeutic massage used to regulate Qi.

Qigong

A Traditional Chinese Practice incorporating movement, meditation, and breathing.

Hippocrates

Known as the 'Father of Medicine' who created the Hippocratic Oath.

Galen (Claudius Galenus)

Roman scholar who advanced anatomy and medicine.

Scientific Process

A systematic method using facts and evidence to test ideas without personal bias or guesswork.

Cellular Organization

The characteristic of life stating that all living organisms are made of one or more cells, which serve as the basic structural and functional units of life.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in an organism that convert food and nutrients into energy to sustain life processes.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Growth and Development

The process by which organisms increase in physical size and undergo changes in form or function throughout their lifespan.

Reproduction

The biological process by which living organisms produce new individual offspring of their own kind.

Heredity

The transmission of genetic traits and DNA from parents to offspring across generations.

Response to Stimuli

The ability of an organism to sense and react to environmental changes or external signals.

Evolutionary Adaptation

The gradual change in physical or behavioral traits of a species over generations to better survive in its environment.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

The systematic arrangement of organisms into eight ranked levels (taxa): Domain > Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Family > Genus > Species.

Domain

The largest and most general rank that divides all cellular life into three main branches (Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya).

Kingdom

Broad groups within a domain that group organisms by fundamental cellular structure and nutrition (e.g., Animals, Plants, Fungi).

Phylum

A taxonomic rank that groups organisms within a kingdom based on major structural features or general body plans.

Class

A breakdown of a phylum into organisms sharing more specific anatomical traits.

Order

A group of related families that share similar biological traits and behaviors.

Family

A collection of closely related genera that share many common characteristics.

Genus

A group of closely related species that are structurally similar and closely tied by evolution.

Species

The most specific taxon, defining a unique group of individuals that can interbreed in nature and produce fertile offspring.

Atom

The fundamental unit of an element that retains its unique chemical properties.

Nucleus

The dense center of an atom containing protons and neutrons; holds nearly all of the atom's mass.

Electron Cloud

The space surrounding the nucleus where electrons orbit.

Element

A pure substance containing only one type of atom (e.g., Oxygen, Carbon) that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical reactions.

Atomic Number

The total number of protons in an atom's nucleus.

Proton

A subatomic particle with a positive (+) charge located in the nucleus that determines the atomic number and identity of the element.

Neutron

A subatomic particle with a neutral (0) charge located in the nucleus that adds to atomic mass and stabilizes the nucleus.

Electron

A subatomic particle with a negative (-) charge located around the nucleus that participates in chemical bonding and reactions.

Compound

A pure substance formed when two or more different elements are chemically bonded together (e.g., Water $H_2O$, Glucose $C_6H_{12}O_6$).

Primary Elements (CHON)

Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), and Nitrogen (N), which make up the vast majority of living matter.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the outermost shell that participate in bonding.

Ion

An atom with a charge; Cations are positive (lost electrons), while Anions are negative (gained electrons).

Ionic Bond

An intramolecular bond formed when electrons are transferred from a metal to a nonmetal, creating oppositely charged ions that attract.

Covalent Bond

An intramolecular bond formed when nonmetal atoms share electron pairs.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

A type of covalent bond where electrons are shared equally (e.g., $H_2$).

Polar Covalent Bond

A type of covalent bond where electrons are shared unequally due to differences in electronegativity (e.g., $H_2O$).

Metallic Bond

An intramolecular bond consisting of metal cations surrounded by a shared 'sea' of mobile valence electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

An intermolecular force involving attraction between a hydrogen atom (bound to O, N, F) and another electronegative atom.

Dipole-Dipole Force

An intermolecular force of attraction between oppositely charged ends of polar molecules.

London Dispersion Force

Weak, temporary intermolecular attractions occurring in all molecules.

Biological Molecules

Substances in living organisms that provide energy, build cell structures, catalyze reactions, store genetic information, and regulate life processes.

Carbohydrates

Biological molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that serve as the primary source of short-term energy and structure.

Monosaccharides

Single sugars, such as Glucose (cellular fuel), Galactose (milk sugar), and Fructose (fruit sugar).

Disaccharides

Two-sugar carbohydrates, including Sucrose (Glucose + Fructose), Lactose (Glucose + Galactose), and Maltose (Glucose + Glucose).

Polysaccharides

Complex sugar chains, such as Starch (plant energy storage), Glycogen (animal energy storage), Cellulose (plant cell walls), and Chitin (exoskeletons).

Lipids

Hydrophobic (water-insoluble) molecules responsible for long-term energy storage, insulation, and cell membranes.

Triglycerides

Lipids composed of glycerol + 3 fatty acids, which can be Saturated (no C=C bonds) or Unsaturated (contains C=C bonds).

Phospholipids

Lipids made of a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails that form cell membranes.

Steroids

Lipids with four fused carbon rings used in cell signaling and hormones (e.g., Cholesterol).

Proteins

Biological molecules made of amino acids that function as enzymes, transport, structure, defense, and signaling.

Nucleic Acids

Biological molecules that store and transmit genetic information, composed of nucleotide monomers.

DNA

Double-stranded nucleic acid containing deoxyribose sugar and bases A, T, C, G that stores heredity genetic information.

RNA

Single-stranded nucleic acid containing ribose sugar and bases A, U, C, G that synthesizes proteins and transfers genetic instructions.