Biology I EOC Review Flashcards

These flashcards cover key concepts, vocabulary, and definitions from the Biology I EOC Review, focused on scientific methods, biological systems, and ecological principles.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation.

Independent Variable

A manipulated variable in an experiment whose presence or degree determines the change in the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The observed variable in an experiment whose changes are determined by the presence or degree of one or more independent variables.

Control

A standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment.

Qualitative Observations

Described by words or terms rather than numbers; includes subjective descriptions in terms of variables such as color, shape, and smell.

Quantitative Observations

Numerical values derived from counts or measurements of a variable.

Replication of Experiments

The process of repeating experiments to verify results and ensure reliability.

Transpiration

The process of water moving out through the stomata of a plant.

Cerebrum

The part of the brain that controls motor functions, touch sensation, planning, and organization.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain that controls balance, position, equilibrium, and muscle coordination.

Vascular Tissues

Tissues in plants that conduct water and nutrients throughout the plant.

Stomata

Small openings on the surface of leaves that regulate gas exchange.

Meristematic Tissue

Plant tissue responsible for growth.

Immune System

The body's defense system against pathogens.

Antigen

A foreign substance that induces an immune response in the body.

B Lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies.

T Lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell involved in the immune response.

Macrophage

A type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests foreign particles.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Cell Theory

The theory that states that all living things are composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.

Mitosis

A process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells from one parent cell.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four haploid cells, crucial for sexual reproduction.

Energy Transfer

The process of energy moving through an ecosystem, typically from producers to consumers.

Food Chain

A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

Food Web

A complex network of feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem.

Ecological Pyramid

A graphical representation of the relationships between different organisms in an ecosystem, including energy transfer.

Biotechnology

The use of living systems and organisms to develop or create products, often involving genetic manipulation.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) composed of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

DNA Replication

The process by which DNA makes a copy of itself during cell division.

Cell Membrane

A biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of all cells from the external environment.

Plasma Membrane

A thin membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell that controls the movement of substances in and out.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle involved in protein and lipid synthesis.

Ribosome

The cellular structure responsible for protein synthesis by translating messenger RNA.

Chloroplast

The organelle in plant cells that conducts photosynthesis.

Cell Wall

A rigid layer that provides protection and structural support to plant cells.

ATP

A molecule that carries energy within cells.

Biochemical Reaction

A chemical process that occurs in living organisms to maintain life.

Allele

One of two or more variants of a gene.

Genetic Variation

The diversity in gene frequencies within a population.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Evolution

The change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

Mutations

Changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to genetic diversity.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic variation from one population to another.

Punctuated Equilibrium

A theory that evolutionary development is marked by isolated episodes of rapid speciation between long periods of little or no change.

Cytokinesis

The process during cell division in which the cytoplasm divides to form two daughter cells.

Lysosomes

Organelles that contain digestive enzymes for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris.

Phloem

Plant tissue that transports sugars and nutrients downward from the leaves.

Xylem

Plant tissue that transports water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.

Transgenic Organism

An organism that has been genetically modified to contain a gene from another species.

Gene Therapy

A technique that modifies a person's genes to treat or prevent disease.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain stable internal conditions despite changes in the external environment.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.

Symbiosis

A close and often long-term interaction between two different biological species.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support sustainably.

Succession

The process by which species in an ecosystem change and replace one another over time.

Carbon Cycle

The process by which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that involves the breaking down of a compound by the addition of water.

Dehydration Synthesis

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

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Fossils

Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, providing evidence of past life on Earth.

Biogeography

The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

Artificial Selection

The process by which humans breed plants and animals for particular traits.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an organism.

Phenotype

The observable physical properties of an organism.

Chromosome

A thread-like structure located within the nucleus of animal and plant cells, composed of DNA and proteins.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a molecule that plays a crucial role in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.

Biogenesis

The principle that living organisms are derived only from other living organisms.

Spontaneous Generation

The disproven hypothesis that life arises from non-living matter.

Stability

The ability of a system to maintain its state despite external disturbances.

Population Dynamics

The study of changes in population size and composition and the processes that influence those changes.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a 1:2:1 ratio, serving as a primary energy source.

Proteins

Organic molecules composed of amino acids, essential for the structure and function of cells.

Lipids

Hydrophobic organic molecules, including fats and oils, used for energy storage and cell membrane structure.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules essential for life, responsible for the storage and expression of genetic information.

Endosymbiosis

The theory that explains the origin of eukaryotic cells through the engulfment of prokaryotic cells.

Community

A group of different species that live together and interact in a specific area.

Niche

The role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem.

Chemosynthesis

The process by which certain organisms synthesize organic compounds using energy derived from chemical reactions.

Homeotic Genes

Genes that regulate the development of anatomical structures in various organisms.

Radiometric Dating

A method used to date materials such as rocks or carbon by comparing the abundance of a radioactive isotope with the abundance of its decay products.

Cladistic Classification

A method of classifying organisms based on common ancestry and evolutionary relationships.

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among species.

Extinction

The end of an organism or a group of organisms, often leading to a loss of biodiversity.

Transgenic Crops

Crops that have been genetically modified to express traits such as pest resistance or herbicide tolerance.

Synthetic Biology

An interdisciplinary branch of biology and engineering that involves designing and constructing new biological parts, devices, and systems.

CRISPR

A revolutionary genetic editing technology that allows for precise modifications to DNA.

Immunology

The branch of medicine and biology concerned with immunity.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by B cells that bind to antigens and help eliminate them.

Ecological Restoration

The process of recovering ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms at each successive level of the food chain.

Trophic Levels

The hierarchical levels of the food chain through which energy and nutrients flow.

Microbiome

The collection of all the microorganisms living in association with the human body.

Adaptation

A characteristic that enhances the survival and reproductive success of an organism in its environment.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread widely in a new habitat and can cause harm to the environment.

Ecotoxicology

The study of the effects of toxic chemicals on biological organisms.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Biogeochemical Cycles

The cycles through which elements and compounds circulate through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

Species Diversity

The variety of species within a given ecosystem.

Conservation Biology

The scientific study aimed at understanding the factors, forces, and processes that influence the loss, protection, and restoration of biodiversity.

Environmental Science

The study of the interactions between the biological, physical, and chemical components of the environment.