C.P. Biology – Fall Final Review 2025

This set of flashcards covers essential vocabulary and concepts in biology for the final exam.

Observation

The act of noticing or perceiving events or objects using the senses.

Inference

A logical conclusion drawn from observations or evidence.

Direct Evidence

Information obtained through direct observation or measurement.

Indirect Evidence

Information that implies a conclusion but does not provide direct proof.

Independent Variable

The variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured or tested in an experiment.

Control

The standard by which experimental results are compared.

Data collection

The process of gathering and measuring information.

Theory

A well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world.

Natural Selection

The process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Fitness

The reproductive success of an individual relative to others in the population.

Acquired Characteristic

A trait that is gained over an individual's lifetime, not inherited genetically.

Inherited Characteristic

A trait that is passed down genetically from parents to offspring.

Atom

The basic unit of a chemical element, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.

Nucleus

The central part of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

Compound

A substance formed from two or more elements chemically bonded together.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element with differing numbers of neutrons.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Ion

An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed through the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.

Cohesion

The tendency of molecules to stick to one another.(same molecules)

Adhesion

The tendency of molecules to stick to different surfaces.

Mixture

A combination of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances.

Monomer

A single, simple molecule that can join with others to form polymetric structures.

Polymer

A large molecule composed of repeating structural units (monomers).

Carbohydrate

Biomolecules made of sugars; primary source of energy in living organisms.

Lipid

A group of organic compounds that are not soluble in water; includes fats and oils.

Protein

Large biomolecules made up of amino acids; essential for numerous biological functions.

Nucleic acid

Biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information (DNA and RNA).

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrates; single sugar molecules.

Polysaccharide

Large carbohydrates composed of many monosaccharides.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins, composed of a central carbon, amino group, carboxyl group, and side chain.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the genetic material that carries information for living organisms.

Chemical Reaction

A process that leads to the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another.

Reactant

A substance that takes part in and undergoes change during a reaction.

Product

A substance that is formed as the result of a chemical reaction.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing permanent alteration.

Cytology

The branch of biology that studies cells.

Cell Theory

The theory that all living things are composed of cells and that the cell is the basic unit of life.

Organelle

Specialized structure within a cell performing a specific function.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like fluid inside a cell that contains organelles.

Cell Membrane

The semi-permeable membrane that surrounds and protects the cell.

Cell Wall

The rigid outer layer of some cells, providing structural support and protection.

Unicellular

Organisms consisting of a single cell.

Multicellular

Organisms composed of multiple cells.

Lysosome

An organelle containing enzymes for digestion.

Nucleolus

The small, dense region within a nucleus where ribosomal RNA is produced.

Prokaryotic

Cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic

Cells that contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; molecule that carries energy within cells.

Heterotroph

Organisms that obtain food by consuming other living things.

Autotroph

Organisms that can produce their own food from sunlight or chemical energy.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment in plants responsible for the absorption of light in photosynthesis.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of complexes that transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors.

Glycolysis

The process of breaking down glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of energy.

Krebs Cycle

A sequence of reactions in cellular respiration where pyruvate is further broken down to produce energy.