STAAR/BENCHMARK REVIEW BIOLOGY

Biomolecules

Large molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

Biomolecules that provide quick energy for cells, made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio.

Lipids

Fats and oils used for long-term energy storage, insulation, and forming cell membranes; hydrophobic in nature.

Proteins

Molecules that build physical traits, act as enzymes, and transport oxygen; made of amino acids.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules that store genetic information and provide instructions for making proteins.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by allowing substrates to fit into their active sites.

Prokaryotic Cells

Simpler, smaller cells without a nucleus, with DNA floating in the cytoplasm; example: bacteria.

Eukaryotic Cells

Complex, larger cells containing a nucleus and organelles; examples: plant and animal cells.

DNA

Genetic material that stores instructions for building proteins, consisting of nitrogen bases A, T, C, and G.

Mutation

Changes in DNA sequence; can affect protein production, including substitutions and frameshift mutations.

Meiosis

Process of cell division that creates four genetically different sex cells with half the number of chromosomes.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert sunlight into glucose, occurring in chloroplasts.

Cellular Respiration

Process by which all organisms convert glucose into ATP, occurring in mitochondria.

Active Transport

Process that requires energy (ATP) to move molecules from low concentration to high concentration.

Passive Transport

Movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy, to achieve equilibrium.

Cancer

Uncontrolled cell division that results in the formation of tumors.

Genotype

The letter combination representing an individual's alleles (e.g., BB, Bb, bb).

Phenotype

The physical traits of an organism resulting from the genotype, such as hair color or eye color.

Homozygous

Having identical alleles for a trait (BB or bb).

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a trait (Bb).

Cell Membrane

A flexible barrier that surrounds the cell, controlling the movement of substances in and out.

Cytoplasm

A jelly-like substance inside the cell where organelles are suspended and cellular processes occur.

Ribosomes

Molecular machines that synthesize proteins by translating mRNA.

Chloroplasts

Organelles found in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the powerhouses of the cell, where cellular respiration occurs to produce ATP.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The energy currency of the cell, used to power various cellular processes.

Chromosomes

Structures made of DNA that contain genetic information; humans have 46 chromosomes.

Alleles

Different versions of a gene that can exist at the same locus on a chromosome.

Dominant Allele

An allele that expresses its trait even in the presence of a recessive allele.

Recessive Allele

An allele that expresses its trait only when two copies are present.

Gene

A segment of DNA that contains instructions for building a protein.

Genetic Engineering

The direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.

Biotechnology

The application of biological systems or living organisms in the development of products.

Homeostasis

The process by which organisms maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Cell Division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells, including mitosis and meiosis