Semester Exam Review Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts for the semester exam based on lecture notes.

Mitosis

Cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells; important for growth and repair.

Meiosis

Cell division resulting in four genetically different daughter cells; important for sexual reproduction.

Interphase

The stage of the cell cycle where the cell grows and DNA replicates in preparation for division.

Tumor

A mass of cells caused by uncontrolled cell division.

Continuous Variation

Variation in a trait that can take on a wide range of values (e.g., height).

Discrete Variation

Variation in a trait that falls into distinct categories (e.g., blood type).

Polygenic Trait

A trait controlled by multiple genes (e.g., skin color).

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an organism.

Allele

A variant form of a gene.

Recessive

An allele that is only expressed when two copies are present.

Dominant

An allele that is expressed even when only one copy is present.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Population

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area.

Community

The collection of all populations of different species living in the same area.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components of an ecosystem (e.g., temperature, light).

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals).

Interspecific Competition

Competition between different species for resources.

Intraspecific Competition

Competition within the same species for resources.

Food Security

Having reliable access to sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food.

Digestion

The breakdown of food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body.

Peristalsis

The wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive system

Ventilation

The process of moving air in and out of the lungs to maintain concentration gradients of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Alveoli

Small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Pathogen

A disease-causing microorganism.

Phagocytes

Cells that engulf and destroy pathogens.

Lymphocytes

Cells involved in adaptive immune responses.