CSEC Human and Social Biology Review Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary flashcards from the CSEC Human and Social Biology curriculum to aid in studying and exam preparation.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose using sunlight.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

Diffusion

The net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Active Transport

The movement of particles across cell membranes against a concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Osmosis

The movement of water molecules through a partially permeable membrane from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution.

Alveoli

Small air sacs in the lungs where gaseous exchange occurs.

Antigen

A substance that is recognized as foreign by the immune system and stimulates an immune response.

Antibody

A specific protein produced by lymphocytes in response to an antigen.

Endocrine System

A system of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a constant internal environment in the body.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces four non-identical daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Genetic Variation

Differences in the genotypes of individuals within a species.

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving only one parent, resulting in genetically identical offspring.

Sexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving two parents and the combination of their genetic material.

Circulatory System

The system responsible for transporting blood and lymph through the body.

Excretion

The process of removing waste and harmful substances from the body.

Respiration

The biochemical process that converts glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Antibiotics

Medications used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease, such as a virus, bacterium, or fungus.

Immune Response

The body's defensive reaction to foreign substances or pathogens.

Balancing pH in the Body

The maintenance of a stable pH level in body fluids to ensure proper cellular function.

Hypertension

A condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is consistently elevated.

Nutrition

The process by which living organisms obtain and utilize food for growth and energy.

Vector

An organism that transmits pathogens from one host to another.

Eukaryotic Cell

A cell with a well-defined nucleus and organelles, typically found in multi-cellular organisms.

Trophic Level

The position an organism occupies in a food chain.

Contraception

The methods used to prevent pregnancy during or following sexual intercourse.

Eutrophication

The process by which a body of water becomes enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae.