Life Science: Biology Regents Review - June 2026

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering the biological concepts, data analysis, and case studies presented in the June 2026 Life Science: Biology Regents examination materials.

According to the transcript, what is hibernation and how does it benefit organisms in colder climates?

Hibernation is a state of inactivity that causes life processes to slow down, allowing organisms to use nearly $70$ to $100$ times less energy when resources are limited.

How do the skeletal and circulatory systems interact in hibernating ground squirrels to prevent blood clots?

The bone marrow of the skeletal system decreases the production of platelets (which help with clotting) being released into the circulatory system, preventing clots from disrupting blood flow.

According to the data table, what is the average heart rate of a hibernating 13-Lined Ground Squirrel compared to one that is not hibernating?

A hibernating squirrel has an average heart rate of $5\,\text{BPM}$, while a non-hibernating squirrel has an average heart rate of $250\,\text{BPM}$.

What are the chemical inputs and outputs of the process used to convert matter and energy into usable forms for ground squirrel cells?

Inputs: Sugar and Oxygen. Outputs: Water, ATP, and Carbon Dioxide.

Why does white blood cell production decrease in hibernating animals like the Scandinavian Brown Bear ($40\%$ reduction) and the 13-Lined Ground Squirrel ($90\%$ reduction)?

The decrease in white blood cell production allows the animal to conserve energy during hibernation.

Which factor from the algae growth study reached the greatest cell density within 13 days?

The algae population exposed to $144\,mg/L$ of nitrogen.

How does the addition of low amounts of nitrogen affect the carrying capacity of a freshwater food web?

Producers increase, resulting in a greater amount of energy available for the rest of the food web, which increases the carrying capacities of the other species.

What is the relationship between algae density and dissolved oxygen in freshwater ecosystems?

As the density of algae increases (specifically leading to Harmful Algae Blooms), the concentration of dissolved oxygen decreases.

Why did the Eastern tree frog ($Hyla orientalis$) population around Chernobyl become significantly darker after the 1986 disaster?

Frogs with higher levels of melanin (black coloration) had a selective advantage near the high-radiation areas, as evidenced by lower luminance levels closer to the nuclear plant.

What characterizes Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) regarding follicle development?

PCOS patients have twice the number of follicles as women without PCOS, but most of those follicles are underdeveloped.

In the egg-sperm interaction model, what stimulates the formation of an impenetrable membrane to prevent multiple sperm from binding?

A receptor in the egg membrane binds with the sperm, causing reactions that stimulate the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to release signals that lead to the membrane's formation.

What genetic change led to the absence of tails in hominoids according to recent research?

The insertion of a sequence called $AluY$ into a noncoding region of the $TBXT$ gene causes coding region $6$ to be spliced out during transcription, resulting in a shortened or absent tail.

What was the role of plants during the Carboniferous Period ($359$ to $299$ million years ago) in forming fossil fuels?

Plants performed photosynthesis to store solar energy and capture atmospheric carbon dioxide; when they died, their biomass was transferred to the geosphere and partially decomposed to form coal, oil, and natural gas.

How does group behavior in honeybee workers contribute to colony survival?

Workers release pheromones (hormones) to alert the hive and defend the colony from intruders using their stingers.

Why would an ecosystem typically have more Baird’s tapirs than jaguars?

Baird's tapirs are at a lower trophic level than jaguars, meaning more energy is available to support a larger population of tapirs compared to the top predator.

How does caffeine affect the nervous system at the cellular level?

Caffeine binds to adenosine receptors on neurons, blocking adenosine from binding and preventing the signaling that makes a person feel sleepy, thus maintaining alertness.

What is the difference between 'fast responders' and 'slow responders' to caffeine regarding the $ADORA2A$ gene?

Slow responders have at least one ancestral allele ($C$) and are more sensitive to caffeine; fast responders have the $TT$ genotype and feel the effects for shorter periods.

Why are top predators in Onondaga Lake particularly vulnerable to mercury contamination?

Through biomagnification, mercury levels increase as it moves up the food chain; predators like walleye contain mercury levels ($10,000,000\,ng/kg$) that are ten times higher than their prey.