Review of Biological Principles

A series of vocabulary flashcards based on the review of biological principles.

Organic Molecules

Compounds that contain carbon, essential to all living things; include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

Major source of energy consisting of sugars and starches made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Proteins

Nitrogen-containing compounds made from chains of amino acids; perform various functions including building tissues and enzymes.

Lipids

Water-insoluble organic compounds (fats and oils) which provide energy storage and insulation.

Nucleic Acids

Molecules that direct protein synthesis and contain genetic information; includes DNA and RNA.

Mitochondria

Cell organelles that transform energy through cellular respiration.

Chloroplast

Cell organelles in plant cells that capture solar energy for photosynthesis.

Cell Theory

A fundamental concept stating that the cell is the basic unit of life, all organisms are made of cells, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.

Homeostasis

The self-regulating process to maintain internal equilibrium in an organism.

Passive Transport

Movement of substances across a cell membrane without using energy, following the concentration gradient.

Active Transport

The process of transporting substances across a cell membrane requiring energy, moving against the concentration gradient.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which food molecules are converted into energy, involving glycolysis, citric acid cycle, and electron transport chain.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plant cells capture energy from sunlight to synthesize food (carbohydrates) from carbon dioxide and water.

Enzymes

Special proteins that speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed in the process.

Mutation

A change in the genetic code, which can affect the individual's traits and may be passed to offspring.

Natural Selection

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

Symbiosis

A close, long-term interaction between two different biological species, which includes mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that cannot create their own food and depend on eating other organisms.

Eukaryote

Organisms with complex cells that have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, such as plants and animals.

Prokaryote

Simple, unicellular organisms without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, such as bacteria.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.

Genetic Variation

Differences in the genetic makeup of individuals within a population, important for evolutionary processes.