CSEC Biology Revision

These flashcards cover key concepts for CSEC Biology, including definitions, processes, and essential facts necessary for exam preparation.

What is the primary substance that plants use to make food during photosynthesis?

Carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight energy.

Define a species.

A group of organisms of common ancestry that closely resemble each other and are normally capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.

What are the two main types of reproduction in living organisms?

Asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction.

Describe the process of aerobic respiration.

Aerobic respiration uses oxygen to convert glucose into carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy, typically producing around 38 ATP molecules.

How does the human eye focus on near objects?

The ciliary muscles contract, allowing the lens to become thicker to bend light rays more sharply for near vision.

What are the three main types of blood vessels in the human circulatory system?

Arteries, veins, and capillaries.

What is the role of the kidneys in excretion?

The kidneys filter blood to remove waste products, excess salts, and water, producing urine.

How is the structure of a red blood cell adapted for its function?

Red blood cells have a biconcave shape to increase surface area for oxygen absorption and are flexible to pass through narrow capillaries.

What are the four main types of diseases?

Pathogenic diseases, deficiency diseases, hereditary diseases, and physiological diseases.

How do plants conserve water in dry environments?

Plants may have thick waxy cuticles, reduced stomata, and adaptations such as rolling leaves or having deep roots.

What are the phases of the menstrual cycle?

Follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase, and menstruation.

What is the primary function of xylem in plants?

To transport water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.

How do organisms in a food chain obtain energy?

Through primary producers converting sunlight into chemical energy via photosynthesis, which is then consumed by herbivores and followed through various trophic levels.

What is osmosis?

The movement of water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.

Differentiate between genotype and phenotype.

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype is the observable characteristics or traits of that organism.

What is the role of enzymes in biological processes?

Enzymes act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions without being consumed or permanently altered.

Explain what a food web is.

A food web is a complex network of interrelated food chains in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow between different organisms.

What is cellular respiration?

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

What is a prokaryotic cell?

A prokaryotic cell is a type of cell that lacks a distinct nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, and is typically smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells.

What are autotrophs?

Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using light or chemical energy, such as plants that use photosynthesis.

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

What is the function of chloroplasts in plant cells?

Chloroplasts are organelles that conduct photosynthesis, converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen.

Name the three domains of life.

The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

What is the significance of biodiversity?

Biodiversity is important for ecosystem resilience, economic resources, and the overall health of the planet.

What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.

Define natural selection.

Natural selection is the process through which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

What is the function of DNA?

DNA carries the genetic instructions necessary for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of organisms.

Describe the structure of proteins.

Proteins are made up of long chains of amino acids that fold into specific three-dimensional shapes.

What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.

What are the main components of blood?

The main components of blood are red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

Explain what a genome is.

A genome is the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.

What is a mutation?

A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to variations in traits.

What are the stages of mitosis?

The stages of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

What is biodiversity loss?

Biodiversity loss refers to the reduction of the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Define ecosystem.

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment.

What are hormones?

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands that regulate physiological processes in the body.

What roles do ribosomes play in cells?

Ribosomes are the cellular structures where proteins are synthesized.

What is the function of the cell membrane?

The cell membrane regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell, providing protection and structural support.

Define anthropology.

Anthropology is the study of humans, their behavior, culture, and societies throughout history.

What distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not.

What is the purpose of the scientific method?

The scientific method is a systematic approach to inquiry that involves observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, and conclusion.

Define biodiversity hotspot.

A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant amount of biodiversity that is threatened by human activities.

What is ecological succession?

Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, through the replacement of one community by another.

What are the main functions of lipids?

Lipids serve as energy storage, structural components of cell membranes, and signaling molecules.

Define an organ system.

An organ system is a group of organs that work together to perform one or more specialized functions.

What is a trophic level?

A trophic level is a step in the food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy and nutrients.

What are phylogenetic trees used for?

Phylogenetic trees are used to illustrate the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on their genetic characteristics.

What is an antibiotic?

An antibiotic is a type of medication used to treat bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Describe the process of protein synthesis.

Protein synthesis is the process by which cells generate new proteins, involving transcription of DNA to mRNA and translation of mRNA to a protein.

What is the significance of the nitrogen cycle?

The nitrogen cycle is crucial for recycling nitrogen in the ecosystem, making it available to living organisms for use in biomolecules.

Define parasitism.

Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

What is the difference between an endotherm and an ectotherm?

Endotherms can regulate their body temperature internally, while ectotherms rely on external environmental conditions.

What is chlorophyll's role in photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy required for photosynthesis.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into various cell types.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and combat pathogens without causing the disease.

What is the importance of the carbon cycle?

The carbon cycle is essential for regulating Earth's climate and supporting life by cycling carbon through the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.

Define a biome.

A biome is a large geographical biotic unit, consisting of many ecosystems, defined primarily