Biology Exam Review Notes

These flashcards summarize key concepts from the biology lecture notes, covering topics related to the brain, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, immune system, evolution, and more.

What are the primary roles of neurons and glial cells in the brain?

Neurons transmit signals while glial cells support neuron structure and function.

What sections is the brain divided into?

The brain is divided into the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.

What functions does the cerebellum perform?

The cerebellum coordinates balance and fine-tunes muscle contractions.

What is the main role of the hypothalamus in the endocrine system?

The hypothalamus connects the nervous system to the endocrine system and regulates hormone release from the pituitary gland.

What hormones are secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland?

HGH, TSH, LH, FSH, and Prolactin.

What is the difference between embolism and thrombosis?

Embolism is a traveling blood clot, while thrombosis is a stationary clot.

What are the main types of blood vessels and their functions?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart, veins return blood to the heart, and capillaries facilitate gas exchange.

What is glucose and why is its regulation important?

Glucose is a sugar necessary for ATP production; its levels must be regulated to prevent hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

How does the pancreas regulate blood glucose levels?

The pancreas secretes insulin when blood glucose is high and glucagon when it is low.

What process converts glucose to glycogen?

Glycogenesis.

What is thermoregulation?

Thermoregulation is the maintenance of a stable internal body temperature.

What triggers the release of epinephrine?

Epinephrine is released in response to stress or threat, increasing heart rate and readiness for action.

What are the primary functions of the immune system?

To protect against pathogens and restore health after infections.

What are the three lines of defense in the immune system?

Surface barriers, innate immunity, and adaptive immunity.

How do vaccines function to provide immunity?

Vaccines trigger an immune response that creates memory cells for quicker responses to future infections.

What is natural selection?

Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

What is the role of mutations in evolution?

Mutations provide genetic variation, driving evolution by introducing new traits.

What is the significance of carrying capacity in populations?

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that can be supported by available resources.

Define artificial selection.

Artificial selection occurs when humans breed organisms for desired traits.

What is the role of the sinoatrial node in the heart?

The sinoatrial node acts as the pacemaker, controlling the heart rate.

How does the body respond to cold temperatures?

Vasoconstriction, shivering, and heat generation by brown fat cells occur to maintain body heat.

How does the respiratory system maximize gas exchange?

The respiratory system uses structures like alveoli, which have a large surface area and thin walls for efficient diffusion.

What are the characteristics of beneficial mutations?

Beneficial mutations improve organism functions and increase survival or reproductive chances.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the virus that infects T cells, while AIDS is the immunodeficiency resulting from uncontrolled HIV infection.