ATI TEAS Version 7: Life and Physical Sciences Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering biological hierarchy, cell structures, mitosis and meiosis, genetics, biomolecules, microbiology, and disease transmission based on the lecture notes.

Cell

The most elementary unit of life and the fundamental building block of all living things, regardless of whether they are bacteria, fungi, protists, plants, or animals.

Tissues

Successive levels of biological organization formed when numerous cells collaborate to perform unified functions.

Organs

The third tier of biological hierarchy composed of combined tissues working together, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Organ system

A level of organization where multiple organs collaborate, such as the digestive system encompassing the stomach, intestines, and liver.

Cell Theory

The principles stating that cells are the fundamental unit of life, all living entities are composed of cells (unicellular or multicellular), and all cells arise only from existing cells.

Procaryotes

Cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organel structures, such as bacteria and archaea.

Eukaryotes

Cells that contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organel structures, including fungi, protists, animals, and plants.

Cell membrane (Plasma membrane)

A barrier with selective permeability that regulates the passage of substances in and out of the cell to maintain homeostasis.

Cytoplasm

A jellylike substance that envelops all internal structures of the cell and is present in both procaryotes and ukarotes.

Cytoskeleton

An intricate network of fibers providing structural support for the cell and playing a crucial role in cellular movement.

Ribosomes

Structures not enclosed by membranes responsible for protein synthesis by reading mRNA sequences; they may float freely or be anchored to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Nucleus

The control center of eukaryotic cells where DNA is housed and stored, overseeing cellular operations.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

A cellular conduit for transporting molecules that comes in two forms: rough ER (studded with ribosomes for protein synthesis) and smooth ER (involved in detoxification and lipid synthesis).

Gogli apparatus

The cell's premier packaging and distribution hub that modifies molecules received from the ER and decides their destination.

Mitochondria

Organel cells known as the Powerhouse of the cell that generate $ATP$ energy through cellular respiration using glucose and oxygen.

Chloroplasts

Organel cells in plants that synthesize glucose through photosynthesis by harnessing light energy via green pigments.

Lysosomes

The cell's waste disposal system filled with enzymes that break down proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and cellular debris.

Vacuoles

Large fluid-filled sacks that store nutrients, waste, and maintain hydrostatic pressure, especially pivotal for growth in plant cells.

Mitosis

A cell division process occurring in somatic (body) cells that produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells.

Meiosis

A two-step division process that produces four genetically unique haploid gametes (sperm and egg cells) carrying half the chromosome count ($23$ in humans).

Diploid

A cell state designated by $2n$ that contains two complete sets of chromosomes, totaling $46$ in humans.

Homologous chromosomes

Pairs of chromosomes roughly equal in size and gene type, where one is inherited from the mother and one from the father.

Crossing over

A process occurring during prophase 1 of meiosis where segments of genetic material are exchanged between homologous chromosomes to create genetic diversity.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

A double helix nucleic acid composed of nucleotides (sugar, phosphate, and a base) that carries the genetic code.

DNA Base Pairing Rules

The universal rule where Adenine pairs with Thymine (apples in the tree) and Cytosine pairs with Guanine (cars in the garage).

Structural genes

Specific segments of DNA that are capable of encoding proteins for trait expression.

Regulatory genes

Non-coding regions of DNA that produce proteins or RNA to control the activation and deactivation of other genes.

RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

A typically single-stranded nucleic acid containing ribose sugar and Uracil (which replaces Thymine), essential for protein production.

mRNA (Messenger RNA)

Type of RNA that conveys genetic instructions from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome in the cytoplasm.

Transcription

The first phase of protein synthesis occurring in the nucleus where DNA is converted into a messenger mRNA strand by RNA polymerase.

Translation

The process where ribosomes read mRNA codons and assemble amino acids provided by tRNA into polypeptide chains.

Codons

Groups of three bases on an mRNA sequence that correspond to a specific amino acid to be added to a protein chain.

Alil

A variant of a gene, typically denoted by uppercase letters for dominant traits and lowercase letters for recessive traits.

Homozygous and Heterozygous

Homozygous refers to genotypes with identical alals ($FF$ or $ff$), while heterozygous refers to genotypes with different alals ($Ff$).

Incomplete dominance

A non-Mendelian inheritance pattern where the dominant alal does not fully overshadow the recessive alal, resulting in a blending of phenotypes, such as pink roses.

Co-dominance

An inheritance pattern where both alals are expressed equally and independently to the phenotype, such as speckled black and white feathers in chickens.

Monosaccharide

The basic building block (monomer) of carbohydrates, such as glucose.

Lipids

A diverse category of hydrophobic biomolecules including triglycerides (energy storage), phospholipids (cell membranes), and steroids.

Amino acids

The monomers that link together to form polymers known as proteins.

Pathogenic

A term describing an infectious agent capable of inducing disease, derived from 'patho' (disease) and 'genic' (causes).

Virulence

A term describing the severity or harmful potential of a specific pathogen.

Viruses

Non-living entities ranging from $20-400$ nanometers that consist of a capsid shell and a DNA or RNA genome; they act as intracellular obligate parasites.

Bacteria

Living procaryote cells ranging from $0.2-15$ microns that can be categorized as Gram-positive (thick wall) or Gram-negative (thin wall and outer membrane).

Fungi

Multicellular or unicellular eukaryotic organisms with cell walls made of kiten that reproduce via spores.

Protozoa

Eukaryotic, typically unicellular organisms ranging from $1-50$ microns, responsible for diseases like malaria and gr diasis.

Helmets

Multicellular eukaryotic worms ranging from $3$ millimeters to $10$ meters, categorized as round worms, flat worms, or flukes.

Direct transmission

The immediate transfer of an infectious agent from a source to a host via direct contact (physical interaction) or droplet spread (coughing/sneezing).

Airborne transmission

Indirect transmission via infectious agents carried on dust particles or droplet nuclei that remain suspended in the air over time and distance.

Fomite transmission

Indirect transmission occurring when infectious agents are transferred from an infected person to an object or surface, which is then touched by a new host.

Scanning electron microscope (SEM)

A microscope that uses electron beams to visualize the detailed external three-dimensional structures of a specimen.