BIO-151 Chapter 1 & Core Themes: Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from BIO-151 Chapter 1 notes, including themes in biology, molecular biology, evolution, and scientific inquiry.

Genomics

The study of genomes; mapping, sequencing, and analysis of an organism's complete set of genes.

Proteomics

The large-scale study of proteins, including their structures, functions, and interactions.

Bioinformatics

Use of computational tools to manage and analyze biological data.

Gene therapy

Techniques to treat or prevent disease by modifying genes.

Stem cells

Undifferentiated cells with the capacity to become multiple cell types.

Gene editing

Techniques that change DNA sequences to alter traits or correct mutations.

Tissue engineering

Creating or repairing tissues or organs using cells, scaffolds, and biomaterials.

Climate change

Long-term alteration of climate patterns due to natural and human factors.

Conservation

Protection and preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Sustainable development

Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations.

Reductionism

Approach that studies complex systems by breaking them into simpler parts.

Emergent properties

New characteristics that arise from interactions of parts at higher levels of organization.

Cell

The smallest unit of life that retains the properties of living organisms.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the genetic material encoding biological information.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; molecule that conveys genetic information and helps build proteins.

Genome

The entire set of genetic material present in an organism or cell.

Nucleotides

The basic building blocks of DNA and RNA.

Genes

Units of heredity that encode instructions to make proteins or regulate cellular functions.

Chromosomes

Structures composed of DNA and proteins that carry genes.

Central Dogma

The flow of genetic information: DNA is transcribed into RNA and translated into protein.

Transcription

The process of copying DNA into a complementary RNA strand.

Translation

The process of translating mRNA into a chain of amino acids (protein).

Protein folding

The process by which a polypeptide folds into its functional three-dimensional shape.

Photosynthesis

Process by which producers convert light energy into chemical energy (sugars).

Producers

Organisms, such as plants, that capture light energy and synthesize organic molecules.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy by eating other organisms or their remains.

Energy flow

The transfer of energy through an ecosystem from producers to consumers.

Regulation (Feedback mechanisms)

Biological control systems that maintain homeostasis via feedback loops.

Common ancestor

An ancestral species from which two or more species diverged.

Descent with modification

Evolutionary idea that descendants differ from their ancestors due to heritable changes.

Natural selection

Mechanism by which evolution occurs; differential survival and reproduction.

Fossil record

Evidence of past life and transitional forms preserved in geological strata.

Molecular homologies

Similarities in DNA, proteins, or other molecules reflecting shared ancestry.

Binomial nomenclature

Linnaeus's genus-species naming system; italicized, with genus capitalized and species lowercase.

Three domains of life

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—the broadest cellular-lineage classification.

Discovery science

Science driven by observations that describe natural phenomena and patterns.

Hypothesis-based science

Science that tests predictions derived from testable hypotheses.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation or educated guess that can be experimentally tested.

Models in science

Representations (math, computer models, drawings) used to understand and communicate science.

Case study: camouflage in mouse populations

An example of applying modeling and experimentation to study predation and color camouflage.