ASVAB GS 2

Arthropods

Invertebrates with segmented bodies and jointed legs

Chordata

Phylum of animals with a spinal cord, includes vertebrates and humans

Porifera

Sponges, porous aquatic animals that lack true tissues

Cnidaria

Jellyfish and corals, stinging cells, radial symmetry

Platyhelminthes

Flatworms, simple body plan, many are parasites

Nematoda

Roundworms, complete digestive tract, many are parasites

Annelida

Segmented worms such as earthworms and leeches

Mollusca

Soft

Echinodermata

Spiny marine animals with radial symmetry, examples include starfish and sea urchins

Prokaryote

Cell without a nucleus, examples include bacteria

Eukaryote

Cell with a nucleus and membrane

Monera

Old classification for prokaryotes, bacteria and cyanobacteria

Protista

Simplest eukaryotes, many are single

Fungi

Decomposers that absorb nutrients, examples include mushrooms and molds

Plantae

Photosynthetic organisms with cell walls made of cellulose

Animalia

Multicellular organisms that ingest food, no cell walls

Kingdoms in the 5

kingdom model

Taxonomy order

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Taxonomy mnemonic

King Philip Came Over For Good Soup

Genus

Classification that contains several related species

Species

Group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

Cell

Basic unit of life

Nucleus

Controls cell activities and contains DNA

Mitochondria

Produce ATP energy for the cell

Ribosome

Site of protein synthesis

Cell membrane

Controls what enters and leaves the cell

Cell wall

Rigid support layer in plants, mainly cellulose

Chloroplast

Plant organelle where photosynthesis occurs

DNA

Genetic material that codes for traits

RNA

Helps carry genetic instructions to make proteins

Nucleotides

Building blocks of DNA and RNA

Mitosis

Cell division for growth and repair, produces identical cells

Meiosis

Cell division that produces gametes, reduces chromosomes by half

Gametes

Sex cells, sperm and egg

Photosynthesis

Plants make glucose using light, carbon dioxide, and water, produces oxygen

Cellular respiration

Cells break down glucose with oxygen to make ATP, produces carbon dioxide and water

Ecology

Study of relationships between organisms and their environment

Biosphere

Zone of Earth where life exists, land, water, and air

Ecosystem

Community of organisms plus nonliving environment interacting

Biome

Large region defined by climate and characteristic plants and animals

Population

Same species living in the same area

Community

All populations of different species living in the same area

Producer

Organism that makes its own food, usually plants and algae

Consumer

Organism that eats other organisms

Decomposer

Breaks down dead matter, returns nutrients to environment

Food chain

Transfer of energy from producer to consumers

Primary consumer

Herbivore that eats producers

Secondary consumer

Eats primary consumers

Tertiary consumer

Eats secondary consumers, often top predator

Symbiosis

Close relationship between different species

Mutualism

Both species benefit

Commensalism

One benefits, other is unaffected

Parasitism

One benefits, other is harmed

Tundra biome

Coldest biome, treeless plains, permafrost

Taiga biome

Boreal forest, evergreen trees, long cold winters

Deciduous forest biome

Moderate climate, trees shed leaves yearly

Grassland biome

More grasses than trees, rainfall not enough for forests

Desert biome

Very low rainfall, sparse vegetation

Tropical rainforest biome

Near equator, heavy rainfall, high biodiversity

Marine biome

Saltwater biome covering most of Earth

Freshwater biome

Lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds

Digestive system

Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, eliminates waste

Fiber

Adds bulk to help large intestine move waste

Lipase

Enzyme that breaks fats into fatty acids and glycerol

Amylase

Enzyme that breaks carbohydrates into sugars

Pancreatic amylase

Breaks down starches into simple sugars

Trypsin

Enzyme that breaks proteins into amino acids

Bile

Produced by liver, emulsifies fats to aid digestion

Circulatory system

Transports blood, oxygen, nutrients, and wastes

Heart

Pumps blood through body

Arteries

Carry blood away from the heart

Veins

Carry blood back to the heart

Capillaries

Tiny vessels where exchange occurs between blood and cells

Platelets

Cell fragments that help blood clot

Pulmonary artery

Only artery that carries deoxygenated blood to lungs

Systolic

Heart contraction phase

Diastolic

Heart relaxation phase

Respiratory system

Brings oxygen into body, removes carbon dioxide

Alveoli

Air sacs where oxygen enters blood and carbon dioxide leaves blood

Diffusion

Movement of particles from high concentration to low concentration

Nervous system

Controls body functions using nerve impulses

Central nervous system

Brain and spinal cord

Peripheral nervous system

Nerves outside brain and spinal cord

Spinal cord

Carries impulses, controls reflexes

Somatic nervous system

Controls voluntary movement and sensory input

Autonomic nervous system

Controls involuntary actions, heart rate and digestion

Cerebellum

Coordinates muscle movement and balance

Medulla

Controls involuntary functions, breathing and heartbeat

Endocrine system

Releases hormones into bloodstream to regulate body

Hormone

Chemical messenger carried in blood to target organs

Pituitary gland

Master gland controlling other endocrine glands

Thyroid gland

Regulates metabolism

Pancreas hormones

Produces insulin and glucagon for blood sugar control

Adrenal glands

Produce stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol

Ovaries hormone

Produce estrogen and progesterone

Testes hormone

Produce testosterone

Skeletal system

Provides support, protection, and blood cell formation

Muscular system

Produces movement and heat

Integumentary system

Skin, protects body and regulates temperature

Immune system

Defends against pathogens