Comprehensive Biology Review: Adaptations, Meiosis, Reproduction, Symbiosis, and Ecology

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key topics across structural, behavioral, and physiological adaptations; stages and ploidy of meiosis; asexual vs sexual reproduction; forms of symbiosis; and ecological principles of food chains and webs.

Structural Adaptation

An adaptation based on physical appearance, such as large ears or thorns.

Behavioral Adaptation

An adaptation that controls how an organism acts, such as hibernation or blooming only at night.

Physiological Adaptation

An adaptation based on body chemistry and metabolism that usually does not show, such as toxins in plants or efficient kidneys in desert animals.

Types of Adaptations Overview

A classification of biological adaptations into structural (physical appearance), behavioral (actions), and physiological (body chemistry and metabolism).

Diploid ($2n$)

A cell condition containing two sets of chromosomes, as seen in interphase prior to meiosis.

Haploid ($n$)

A cell condition containing a single set of chromosomes, such as the four granddaughter cells produced at the end of meiosis.

Prophase I

The stage of meiosis during which chromosomes pair up and genetic recombination occurs.

Metaphase I

The stage of meiosis where paired chromosomes line up at the equator attached to the meiotic spindle.

Anaphase I

The stage of meiosis in which whole paired chromosomes are pulled apart.

Anaphase II

The stage of meiosis in which sister chromatids are pulled apart.

Meiosis Stages Diagram

The two-step cellular division process starting from a diploid ($2n$) cell through Interphase, Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I, Telophase I & Cytokinesis, Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II, and Telophase II & Cytokinesis to yield four haploid ($n$) granddaughter cells.

Asexual Reproduction

A mode of reproduction involving one parent and no gametes, producing offspring that are genetically the same as the parent.

Sexual Reproduction

A mode of reproduction usually involving two parents, gametes, and fertilization, producing offspring that are genetically different from each parent.

Reproduction Modes Comparison

A comparison distinguishing asexual reproduction (1 parent, no gametes, identical offspring) from sexual reproduction (2 parents, gametes, fertilization, genetically different offspring).

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship in which both participating organisms benefit.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefits.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is harmed or killed.

Ammensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism is neither harmed nor benefits, while the other is harmed or killed.

Types of Symbioses Chart

A summary chart detailing organism interactions across mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, and ammensalism.

Food Chain

A single sequential path showing who eats whom in a habitat to obtain required energy and nutrients, starting from an organism using solar energy.

Food Web

An interconnected network of multiple food chains illustrating complex interdependencies and feeding relationships among species in an ecosystem.

Food Chain Arrows

Indicators in a food chain that trace the flow of energy, pointing away from the food source toward the feeder.

Top Predator

An organism at the end of a food chain that is not hunted by other living species and is decomposed by decomposers after death.

Energy Loss in Food Chains

The loss of energy at each step of a food chain—occurring as heat during respiration or lost through waste products like feces—typically limiting chains to about 4 steps.