Review. for the Living Environment Regents Exam

Cell Theory

All living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and all cells come from existing cells.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Cellular Respiration

The process in which cells break down glucose and other organic molecules to produce ATP.

DNA Structure

DNA is composed of two strands forming a double helix, containing nucleotides which include phosphate, sugar, and nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).

Natural Selection

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

Genetic Variation

The variety of different types of genes in a species.

Homeostasis

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

Ecosystems

A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.

Food Chain

A series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.

Mutations

Changes in the genetic sequence that can lead to variations in traits.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Maintaining Biodiversity

Efforts include conservation, sustainable practices, and protecting habitats.

Synthesis of Proteins

The process in which cells use mRNA to create proteins from amino acids.

Cell Cycle

The series of phases that a cell goes through to divide and replicate; includes interphase and mitosis.

Chromosomes

Structures within cells that contain DNA and genetic information.

Reproduction Types

Asexual reproduction involves a single organism, while sexual reproduction involves two organisms.

Ecological Relationships

Interactions between organisms within an ecosystem, including mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

Acid-Base Balance

The maintenance of the blood's pH level within a narrow range, crucial for proper body function.

Human Body Systems

Includes the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, and muscular systems, all working together to maintain homeostasis.

Nutrients

Substances that provide nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.

Evolution

The change in the genetic composition of a population over successive generations.

Carbon Cycle

The series of processes through which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment.

Nitrogen Cycle

The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms.

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Organisms

Living things that can react to stimuli, reproduce, grow, and metabolize.

Cell Transport

The movement of substances across cell membranes, including passive and active transport.

Biomes

Large ecosystems characterized by specific climate and vegetation types.

Trophic Levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, consisting of producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, usually proteins.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to investigation that involves observing, forming a hypothesis, experimenting, and drawing conclusions.

Chromatography

A laboratory technique for separation of a mixture into its components.

Mitosis

A part of the cell cycle in which replicated chromosomes are separated into two new nuclei.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in a parent cell by half and produces four gamete cells.

Population Dynamics

The study of how populations change in size and structure over time.

Microorganisms

Tiny living organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, often studied in biology.

Plant Anatomy

The study of the structure of plants, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds.

Animal Behavior

The study of how animals interact with each other and their environment.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that disrupt ecosystems and can lead to environmental and economic damage.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into many different cell types.

Antibiotic Resistance

The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of antibiotics that once killed them or inhibited their growth.

Pesticides

Chemicals used to kill pests but can have adverse effects on non-target species, including humans.

Conservation Biology

The study of protecting and managing biodiversity.

Endangered Species

Species that are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, and other threats.

Fossils

Preserved remains or traces of organisms that lived in the past.

Genetic Engineering

The direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.

Vaccination

A method of inducing immunity to a disease by exposing the immune system to a harmless variant of the pathogen.

Cellular Differentiation

The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type.

Ecological Succession

The process by which communities replace each other over time, often following a disturbance.

Hydraulic Cycle

The cycle of water movement from the earth to the atmosphere and back.

Trophic Cascade

An ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or removal of top predators.

Biological Indicators

Species or groups of species whose presence, absence, or well-being in a given environment reflects a specific environmental condition.

Sustainable Practices

Methods of using resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Phenotypic Variation

Observable characteristics or traits of an organism, such as morphology, development, biochemical properties, and behavior.

Cell Organelles

Structures within cells that perform specific functions, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, and ribosomes.

Plant vs. Animal Cells

Plant cells have a cell wall and chloroplasts for photosynthesis, while animal cells do not.

Homeostasis Regulation

Mechanisms such as feedback loops that help maintain a stable internal environment.

Biochemical Cycles

Pathways that involve the transformation and movement of elements through biological, geological, and chemical processes.

Adaptation

Inherited traits that enhance the survival or reproduction of organisms in particular environments.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, like clean air, water, and pollination.

Vascular vs. Non-vascular Plants

Vascular plants have tissues for transporting water and nutrients; non-vascular plants do not.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like substance within a cell that houses organelles.

Antigen

A substance that induces an immune response in the body.

Osmosis

The movement of water through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Bacterial Shapes

Bacteria are classified into shapes: cocci (spherical), bacilli (rod-shaped), and spirilla (spiral).

Exercise Physiology

The study of the body’s responses to physical activity and adaptations to exercise training.

Chemical Reactions

Processes that lead to the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another.

Genotype vs. Phenotype

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype refers to the observable traits.

Oxygen Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of oxygen within its two main reservoirs: the atmosphere and the biosphere.

Phagocytosis

The process by which certain cells engulf and digest solid substances.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by the immune system to help neutralize pathogens.

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Energy from the sun is captured by producers and flows through the food chain to consumers and decomposers.

Health and Nutrition

The relationship between diet, physical activity, and overall health.

Viruses vs. Bacteria

Viruses are non-living infectious agents. Bacteria are unicellular living organisms.

Anatomy of the Heart

The heart consists of four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle.

Plant Reproductive Structures

Includes flowers, seeds, fruits, and cones.

Population Density

The number of individuals per unit area or volume.

Biological Magnification

The process by which toxin levels increase as they move up the food chain.

Skeletal System

The framework of bones supporting the body and facilitating movement.

Immune System Functions

Protects the body against disease, pathogens, and foreign invaders.

Respiratory System Functions

Responsible for gas exchange; Includes the lungs and airways.

Ecosystem Stability

The ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over time.

Plant Functions

Photosynthesis, respiration, and reproduction.

Water Quality Indicators

Physical, chemical, and biological factors used to assess the health of water bodies.

Cell Membrane Function

Regulates what enters and leaves the cell; provides protection and support.

Genetics Basics

Study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

Human Impact on Environment

Human activities that affect the environment, including pollution, deforestation, and urbanization.

Species Interdependence

Different species rely on each other for survival and functioning of ecosystems.

Life Cycle of Plants

Stages include germination, growth, reproduction, pollination, and seed dispersal.

Effects of Deforestation

Habitat loss, reduced biodiversity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Enzyme Specificity

Enzymes are specific to the substrates they act upon due to their shape.

Adaptation Examples

Camouflage, behavioral traits, and physiological changes that enhance survival.

Zoology

The scientific study of animals.

Botany

The scientific study of plants.

Genetic Disorders

Diseases or conditions caused by abnormalities in the genome.

Photosynthetic Organisms

Organisms that produce their own food using sunlight, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria.

Human Biology

The study of the human body, its anatomy, and its physiological processes.

Nutrient Cycling

The circulation of nutrients through ecosystems, involving biological, geological, and chemical processes.

Plant Responses to Stimuli

Phototropism and gravitropism are examples of how plants respond to environmental changes.