Science slay

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a double helix molecule with deoxyribose sugar, adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine bases, found in the nucleus of eukaryotes.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a single-stranded molecule with ribose sugar, involved in protein synthesis, including mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA types.

Base Pairing Rules

A pairs with T, C pairs with G in DNA; A pairs with U in RNA, held together by hydrogen bonds.

DNA Replication

The process of copying DNA during cell division, using existing DNA as a template and enzymes like helicase, DNA polymerase, and ligase.

Transcription

Process where mRNA copies DNA's instructions in the nucleus before leaving to the cytoplasm for translation.

Translation

Ribosomes use mRNA to make proteins by matching tRNA anticodons to mRNA codons to bring the correct amino acids.

Mutations

Mistakes in DNA or RNA leading to variations, including gene mutations like point mutations and frame shift mutations.

Population Genetics

Study of how genetics and evolution influence each other, focusing on gene pools, allele frequencies, and mechanisms of change.

Cladogram

Evolutionary tree showing relationships between species, with branch points indicating speciation and derived characters marked by hash marks.

Producers

Organisms that make their own food at the bottom of the food chain

Consumers

Organisms that need to consume other organisms for energy, categorized as primary, secondary, and tertiary

Decomposers

Organisms that return nutrients to the soil by consuming waste and dead organisms

Symbiosis

Close relationships between organisms in an ecosystem

Mutualism

Symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit, like bees and flowers

Parasitism

Symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed, like ticks and humans

Commensalism

Symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is neutral, like whales and barnacles

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time

Population size

The number of individuals in a population

Geographic distribution

The range of a population

Population density

The number of individuals per unit area

Population sample

A method to determine the population density of a species

Growth rate

The rate at which a population's size changes over time

Exponential growth

Rapid population growth described by a J-shaped curve

Logistic growth

Population growth that slows or stops after exponential growth

Limiting factor

Factors that restrain population growth, like space, food, water, predation, and competition

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals an environment can support

Keystone species

Organisms crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance

Trophic cascade

Changes in the energy pyramid due to the removal of a keystone species

Biogeochemical cycles

Processes transferring matter between organisms and the biosphere

Carbon Cycle

The movement of carbon through living organisms and the environment, involving photosynthesis, respiration, and human activities