Biology Final Exam Flashcards

Flashcards about Biology Final Exam Biodiversity of life

What are the key characteristics of living organisms?

Living things are called organisms and share characteristics such as being made of cells, using energy, responding to the environment, growing, reproducing, needing water, evolving, maintaining homeostasis, and being made of carbon.

Why are viruses not considered living things?

Viruses are not considered living things because they lack cells, don't metabolize energy independently, and can't reproduce on their own.

What are the key characteristics of Porifera (Sponges)?

Porifera (Sponges) have an Asymmetrical body plan, are aquatic, have unsegmented bodies, adults are sessile, have no cephalization, and larvae are mobile.

What are the key characteristics of Cnidarians?

Cnidarians (Coral, Jellyfish, Hydras, Anemones) have a Radial Symmetry body plan, are aquatic, have unsegmented bodies, have a "mouth" surrounded by stinging tentacles, and have no cephalization.

What are the key characteristics of Nematodes (Roundworms)?

Nematodes (Roundworms) have a Bilateral Symmetry body plan, live in aquatic and terrestrial environments, have unsegmented bodies, cylindrical bodies with tapered ends, and no cephalization.

What are the key characteristics of Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)?

Platyhelminthes (Flatworms) have Bilateral Symmetry, live in aquatic and terrestrial environments, have unsegmented bodies, soft and flat bodies, and present cephalization.

What are the key characteristics of Annelids (Segmented Worms)?

Annelids (Segmented Worms) have Bilateral symmetry, live in aquatic and terrestrial environments, have segmented bodies, cylindrical bodies, and present cephalization.

What are the key characteristics of Molluscs?

Molluscs (Snails, Clams, Squids) have Bilateral symmetry, live in aquatic and terrestrial environments, have unsegmented bodies, internal or external shells, and cephalization might be present.

What are the key characteristics of Arthropods?

Arthropods (Insects, Crustaceans, Spiders) have Bilateral symmetry, live in aquatic and terrestrial environments, have segmented bodies, an exoskeleton, present cephalization, and jointed appendages.

What are the key characteristics of Echinoderms?

Echinoderms (Sea Stars, Sea Urchins, Sea Cucumbers) have Bilateral symmetry, are all aquatic, have unsegmented bodies, a spiny skeleton, and no cephalization.

What are the key characteristics of Chordates?

Chordates (cartilaginous/ bony fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) have Bilateral symmetry, live in aquatic and terrestrial environments, have segmented bodies, a dorsal nerve cord, present cephalization, cartilage around the nerve cord, and gill slits and a tail appear at some point in development.

What are the key features of the Archaea domain?

Archaea are prokaryotic, single-celled organisms often found in extreme environments, with unique cell membranes and genetic processes.

What are the key features of the Bacteria domain?

Bacteria are prokaryotic, single-celled organisms with a cell wall made of peptidoglycan, found in a wide range of environments, and have a single circular chromosome.

What are the key features of the Eukarya domain?

Eukarya are organisms with eukaryotic cells (with a nucleus), can be unicellular or multicellular, have membrane-bound organelles, and include all plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

Describe Archaea

Archaea: unicellular, prokaryotic, live in extreme environments.

Describe Eubacteria

Eubacteria: unicellular, prokaryotic, auto or heterotrophic.

Describe Protist

Protist: mostly unicellular, eukaryotic, auto or heterotrophic.

Describe Fungi

Fungi: unicellular OR multicellular, eukaryotic, heterotrophic.

Describe Plant

Plant: multicellular, eukaryotic, autotrophic.

Describe Animal

Animal: multicellular, eukaryotic, heterotrophic.

Describe Acidophiles

Acidophiles loves acidic environment.

Describe Thermophiles

Thermophiles loves high temperature environment.

Describe Halophiles

Halophiles loves salt concentrated environment.

Describe Methanogens

Methanogens loves oxygen-free environment.

Define Genetic Diversity

Genetic Diversity is the variety of genes within a species.

Define Species Diversity

Species Diversity is the variety of species within a specific area.

Define Ecosystem Diversity

Ecosystem Diversity is the variety of ecosystems in a given region.

What is Radial Symmetry

Radial Symmetry (RS) - Body is arranged around a central axis, allowing interaction with the environment from any direction

What is Bilateral Symmetry

Bilateral Symmetry (BS) - Body can be divided into two mirror halves, allowing for better movement

Define Cephalization

Cephalization: the presence of a head. Concentrating sensory organs and the brain at the front of the body enhances the ability to process information and respond to stimuli quickly, improving survival and movement efficiency.

Define Segmentation

Segmentation: division of body into repeating units or segments. Annelids. Allows for greater flexibility and mobility, and the specialization of body parts for different functions (e.g., movement, feeding).

Define Chordates

Chordates are animals that possess a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail at some point in their life cycle

Define Mitosis and its purpose

Mitosis is performed by somatic cells, which allows for growth, repair, and replacement.

Define Meiosis and its purpose

Meiosis is where the gametes are produced with half the number of chromosomes.

Define Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction is when chromosomes fail to separate properly during meiosis.

Define Independent assortment

Independent assortment is a principle of genetics stating that during the formation of gametes (sperm and egg cells), the alleles of different genes assort (separate and combine) independently of each other.

Define Homologous chromosomes

Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes in a diploid cell that have the same shape, size, and genetic content, but may carry different versions (alleles) of the same genes.

Define Tetrads

Tetrads are a 4 part structure composed of two homologous chromosomes.

Define Haploid

HAPLOID is half the total number of chromosomes (1 of each pair).

Define Diploid

DIPLOID is the total number of chromosomes (a pair of each).

Define Genotype

GENOTYPE - the genetic make up or combination of alleles that are present in the individuals genes (gene combination)

Define Phenotype

PHENOTYPE - the way traits are expressed in the individual (physical expression)

Define MULTIPLE ALLELES

MULTIPLE ALLELES: when more than 2 alleles exist for a trait

Define Sex-linked traits

Some genetic disorders are sex-linked, meaning they are found on the sex chromosomes (usually the X). Most sex-linked traits are recessive. An example is colour blindness.

Define a genome

A GENOME is the full DNA sequence of an organism.

Define Natural selection

Natural Selection is the process by which individuals with inherited characteristics well suited to their environment will leave more offspring on average than individuals with adaptations less suited to the environment.

Define Homologous structures

Homologous structures are biological structures in different species that share a similar underlying form or embryonic origin due to common ancestry.

Define Vestigial structures

Vestigial structures are anatomical features or behaviors that have lost their original function through evolution in a species.

Define Analogous structures

Analogous structures are traits found in different species that share similar functions but evolved independently, meaning they don't share a common ancestor and don't have the same underlying structural makeup.

Define Convergent Evolution

Convergent Evolution is evolution towards similar characteristics in distantly related species. Results in the production of analogous structures.

Define Divergent Evolution

Divergent Evolution is the evolution towards different characteristics in closely related species. This results in the production of homologous structures.

Define Coevolution

Coevolution is the influence of closely associated species on each other in their evolution.

Define Punctuated Equilibrium

Punctuated Equilibrium is the hypothesis that evolutionary development is marked by isolated episodes of rapid speciation between long periods of little or no change.

Define Genetic drift

Genetic drift is a change in the gene pool of a population due to chance events.

Define Allopatric Isolation

Allopatric Isolation occurs when populations become geographically isolated from one another over time.

Define Sympatric Isolation

Sympatric Isolation occurs when populations become reproductively isolated from one another over time, even though they are not geographically isolated.

Define Fitness

Fitness is the ability to survive and reproduce in a given environment.

Describe the process of inhalation.

During inhalation, the intercostal muscles and diaphragm contract, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and decreasing pressure, causing air to enter the lungs.

Describe the process of exhalation.

During exhalation, the intercostal muscles and diaphragm relax, decreasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and increasing pressure, causing air to exit the lungs.

What are the components of blood?

The solid portion of blood is composed of red and white blood cells and platelets, while the fluid portion is plasma.

Define Tidal Volume (TV).

Tidal Volume (TV) is the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing.

Describe 3 parts of small intestine

Duodenum - the majority of chemical digestion occurs here, Jejunum - majority of nutrient absorption, Ileum - majority of nutrient absorption

Describe FOOD state

Bolus- chewed food, Chyme- after bolus liquid in stomach, Feces- waste ready to leave body

What are alveoli and what is their function?

Alveoli are grape-like clusters of tiny air sacs in the lungs that provide a large surface area for gas exchange.

Describe gas exchange in the alveoli.

Gas exchange involves deoxygenated blood arriving at the alveolus, carbon dioxide moving from the blood into the alveolus, oxygen moving from the alveolus into the blood, and oxygenated blood leaving the lungs.

What are the two types of digestion?

Mechanical digestion breaks food into smaller pieces through chewing and churning, while chemical digestion breaks food into nutrients using enzymes.

What happens to air when it goes through your nasal cavity?

Air gets filtered, warmed, and moistened when it goes through the nasal cavity.

What are the different plan groups.

The 4 groups, mosses ferns, gymnosperms, netrosperms- which have seeds, flowers, cones etc

What are angiosperms?

Angiosperms are vascular, seeded plants that use nectar, color, scent, and wind to ensure pollination.

What are ferns?

Ferns are seedless, vascular plants with two life stages including gametophyte stage and sporophyte stage

What are gymnosperms?

Gymnosperms are seeded, vascular plant with seeds and pollens that produce 2 cones (MALE and FEMALE cones).

What are mosses?

Mosses are seedless and nonvascular plants that dont have vascular tissue and must diffuse and use osmosis for water and nutrients.

What are Xylem and its function

Xylem Tissue composed of nonliving tissue that transports WATER horizontally and vertically through the plant.

What is the function of leaves?

Leaves To produce the food (sugar) for the plantmain site of gas exchange

What is the function of roots?

Roots ABSORB water and dissolved minerals, ANCHOR the plant in the ground, STORE carbohydrates, water and other nutrients (minerals)

What is the function of stems

Stems - SUPPORT towards the sun, NUTRIENT TRANSPORT through the vascular tissue, PHOTOSYNTHESIS, REPRODUCTIVE ASSISTANCE of cones and flowers