BioEOC Review Packet-PAGE

Biological Molecules

Essential organic compounds that include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, vital for life processes.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment in an organism, regulating factors like temperature, pH, and hydration.

Passive Transport

Movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of cellular energy, following the concentration gradient.

Active Transport

The process of moving substances across a cell membrane against the concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Biochemical Reactions

Chemical processes that occur within living organisms, such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis.

Genetic Variation

Diversity in gene frequencies within a population; the genetic differences that contribute to the uniqueness of organisms.

Natural Selection

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Symbiotic Relationships

Interactions between species that can be mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic, affecting the survival of the organisms involved.

Food Chain

A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment, including both biotic and abiotic components.

Exponential Growth

A condition of rapid growth in a population, where the number of individuals grows exponentially under ideal conditions.

Biodiversity

The variety of life forms within a given ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variations, and ecosystems.

Disturbance

An event that disrupts the structure of an ecosystem, leading to changes in population dynamics and community composition.

Cyclic Changes

Regular and predictable changes that occur in biological communities over time, such as seasonal transitions.

Carbon Cycle

The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment, encompassing photosynthesis and respiration.

Theory of Evolution

A scientific theory that explains how species change over time through mechanisms such as natural selection and genetic variation.

Karyotype

A visual representation of an individual's chromosome pairs, used to study chromosomal abnormalities.

Niche

The role and position a species has in its environment, including its habitat, the resources it uses, and its interactions with other species.

Dichotomous Key

A tool used in taxonomy to identify organisms based on a series of choices that lead to the correct name of a species.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, typically used for growth and repair.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically distinct gametes.

Enzyme

A protein that acts as a catalyst in biochemical reactions, speeding up the reactions without being consumed.

Prokaryote

A unicellular organism that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus; examples include bacteria.

Eukaryote

An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; includes animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

Organism

Any individual living entity that can react to stimuli, reproduce, grow, and maintain homeostasis.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, represented by the alleles it possesses.

Phenotype

The observable physical and biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by its genotype.

Antibody

A protein produced by the immune system that binds to specific antigens to neutralize or destroy them.

Infectious Disease

Illness caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi.

Biotechnology

The manipulation of living organisms or their components to develop products, often involving genetic engineering.

Conservation

The practice of protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment.

Ecological Pyramid

A graphical representation showing the relative amounts of energy or biomass at each trophic level in an ecosystem.