9 Honors Bio Final Exam Study Guide (Terms)

Qualitative

Relating to the quality or nature of something, rather than its quantity.

Quantitative

Relating to the quantity or amount of something, often expressed in numbers.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, which can be tested.

Dependent variable

The variable that is being measured or tested in an experiment.

Independent variable

The variable that is manipulated or controlled in an experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable.

Abstract

A brief summary of a research article or study.

Control Group

A group in an experiment that does not receive treatment and is used for comparison.

Controlled Factors

Variables that are kept constant to ensure a fair test.

Responsiveness

The ability to respond to stimuli or changes in the environment.

Sample size

The number of observations or replicates included in a statistical sample.

Trials

Repetitions of an experiment to ensure reliability.

Line Graph

A graph that uses lines to connect data points representing changes over time.

Scatterplot

A graph that displays values for typically two variables for a set of data.

Trendline

A line adding to a scatterplot that helps to visualize the relationship between variables.

Correlation

A measure of the relationship between two variables.

Circle Graph

A circular chart divided into sectors, illustrating numerical proportions.

Column Graph

A chart that uses vertical bars to show comparisons among categories.

Cell Organization

The arrangement of cells in an organism, reflecting complexity.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical processes that occur within a living organism.

Heterotroph

An organism that cannot produce its own food and must consume other organisms.

Autotroph

An organism that can produce its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

Ingestion

The intake of food into the body.

Digestion

The breakdown of food into smaller components that can be absorbed.

Anaerobic Respiration

A form of respiration that occurs without oxygen.

Aerobic Respiration

A form of respiration that requires oxygen.

Stimulus

Any event or situation that evokes a response.

Response

The reaction of an organism to a stimulus.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain stable internal conditions.

Negative Feedback

A process in which a system responds to a change by counteracting it.

Positive Feedback

A process in which a system responds to a change by amplifying it.

Regulation

The management of complex systems to achieve stability.

Evolution

Change in the heritable traits of biological populations over successive generations.

Growth

An increase in size or mass.

Development

The process of change that occurs over time in an organism.

Asexual Reproduction

A mode of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes.

Sexual Reproduction

A mode of reproduction that involves the fusion of male and female gametes.

Gene

A segment of DNA that contains the code for a specific trait.

Breathing

The process of inhaling and exhaling air.

Epiglottis

A flap of cartilage that covers the windpipe during swallowing.

Trachea

The tube that connects the throat to the lungs, also known as the windpipe.

Bronchi

The main air passages that lead from the trachea to the lungs.

Bronchioles

Small airways in the lungs that lead to the alveoli.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Mechanical Digestion

The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces.

Chemical Digestion

The enzymatic breakdown of food into smaller molecules.

Enzyme

A protein that accelerates a chemical reaction.

Peristalsis

The wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Duodenum

The first part of the small intestine.

Villi

Small finger-like projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients.

Heart

The organ that pumps blood throughout the body.

Atria

The two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood.

Ventricle

The two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out of the heart.

Pulmonary artery

The artery that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

Pulmonary Vein

The vein that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

Aorta

The main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Vena Cava

The large vein that carries deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Tricuspid Valve

The valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle.

Bicuspid Valve

The valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle.

Aortic Valve

The valve that controls blood flow from the heart into the aorta.

Pulmonary Valve

The valve that controls blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.

Blood Plasma

The liquid component of blood that carries cells and proteins.

White Blood Cells

Cells of the immune system that help fight infection.

Red Blood Cells

Cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.

Platelets

Cell fragments that are involved in blood clotting.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart.

Capillaries

Small blood vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs.

Control Center

The part of a system that processes information and determines appropriate responses.

Effector

An organ or cell that acts in response to a stimulus.

Hormone

Chemical messengers that regulate various functions in the body.

Organic Compound

A compound that contains carbon and is found in living organisms.

Hydrocarbon

An organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon.

Substituted Hydrocarbon

A hydrocarbon that has one or more hydrogen atoms replaced by functional groups.

Monomer

A small molecule that can join together with other similar molecules to form a polymer.

Polymer

A large molecule made up of repeating subunits of monomers.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds that are a major source of energy for the body.

Lipids

Fatty acids and their derivatives, which are insoluble in water.

Proteins

Large molecules composed of amino acids that perform various functions in the body.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules essential for all known forms of life, including DNA and RNA.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of a single sugar molecule.

Isomer

Compounds with the same chemical formula but different structures.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate formed from two monosaccharides.

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction that builds up molecules by losing water molecules.

Hydrolysis

A chemical process that splits molecules by the addition of water.

Oxygen Bridge

A bond that forms between two oxygen atoms in a molecule.

Starch

A polysaccharide that serves as a storage form of energy in plants.

Cellulose

A polysaccharide that forms the structural component of plant cell walls.

Glycogen

A polysaccharide that serves as a storage form of energy in animals.

Chitin

A tough, protective compound found in the exoskeletons of arthropods.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins.

Replacement Group

A functional group that can replace another group in a molecule.

Amine group

A functional group consisting of a nitrogen atom bonded to hydrogen atoms.

Carboxyl Group

A functional group that contains a carbon double-bonded to an oxygen and bonded to a hydroxyl group.

Hydroxide group

A diatomic ion consisting of one oxygen and one hydrogen atom, OH-.

Dipeptide

A molecule consisting of two amino acids joined by a peptide bond.

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

Peptide Bond

The bond formed between two amino acids.

Globular Protein

A spherical protein that is soluble in water.