Biology 120 Final

Immediate Causation

Physiological mechanism underlying a trait of interest.

Development

Role of developmental timeline (experience) in shaping traits.

Proximate Questions

Questions addressing the 'how' of biological processes.

Evolution

Role of phylogeny and evolutionary history in shaping traits.

Adaptive Function

Role of a trait in increasing reproductive success.

Ultimate Questions

Questions addressing the 'why' of biological processes.

Physiological Systems Integration

Requires multiple levels of organization, from atomic to organism level.

Organismal Structure Integration

Involves multiple levels of organization to understand the complete organism.

Feedback Mechanisms

Drive physiology by allowing responses to stimulation through sensors, integrators, and effectors.

Negative Feedback

Response that opposes the stimulus; crucial for maintaining homeostasis.

Homeostasis

Balance and stability in chemical and physical conditions within the body.

Positive Feedback

Amplifies a process; rare; ex: childbirth.

Concentration Gradients

Movement of substances from high to low concentration.

Proteins

Critically important mediators of physiology.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 ruling that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.

Natural Selection

Proposed mechanism for evolution by Darwin and Wallace.

Four Postulates of Natural Selection

1. Variation must exist in a population. 2. Some variation must be heritable. 3. Survival and reproductive success are variable. 4. Survival is not random; certain traits enhance success.

Adaptation

Evolutionary process occurring in populations; not reversible at the individual level.

Acclimation

Reversible changes in physiology in response to current environmental conditions.

Trade-offs

Considerations in evolution and physiology where one trait may benefit while another may suffer.

Cavefish Eye Loss

Example of evolutionary trade-offs leading to loss of a trait.

Photoreceptors

Cells in the retina that send signals to the brain.

Ciliary Body

Allows lens to change shape for vision adjustments.

Iris

Colored part of the eye that regulates light entry via pupil size.

Anterior + Posterior Compartments

Filled with fluid to nourish the eyes.

Cornea

Protects the eye; permits light to enter for vision.

Fertilization

Process where egg and sperm merge to form a zygote.

Cleavage

Rapid cell division resulting in a Blastula.

Gastrulation

Cell movements that form three germ layers.

Organogenesis

Process where specific tissues and organs develop.

Neurulation

Formation of the central nervous system from the neural tube.

Cell Type

A group of cells exhibiting similar functions, like neurons.

Cell Lineage

Developmental history of a cell or group of cells.

Uncommitted State

A cell's ability to become any type in the adult organism.

Committed State

A cell's specialization with limited potential types.

Differentiated State

Cells resembling a specific type with defined functions.

Gene Expression

Differences in proteins produced due to varied transcription and translation.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that control the initiation of transcription in gene expression.

Pax6

Transcription factor crucial for eye development.

Glucagon

Hormone that raises blood glucose levels.

Insulin

Hormone that lowers blood glucose levels.

Mitochondrial Density

Increased number of mitochondria leading to improved energy production.

Glycogen Utilization

Process allowing energy storage and release during high activity.

Aerobic Metabolism

Energy production using oxygen.

Anaerobic Metabolism

Energy production without oxygen, leading to lactic acid fermentation.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Energy expenditure of endotherms at rest.

Standard Metabolic Rate (SMR)

Similar to BMR but for ectotherms.

Endotherms

Animals that maintain high metabolic rates and body temperatures.

Ectotherms

Animals that rely on ambient temperature for their body temperature.

Sled Dogs

Adapted for endurance with specific physiological traits.

Glycogenolysis

Breakdown of glycogen into glucose.

Osmosis

Diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane.

Osmoregulators

Organisms that regulate internal osmolarity.

Osmoconformers

Organisms whose internal osmolarity matches that of their environment.

Aquaporins

Membrane channels that facilitate water movement.

Hyperosmositc

Solution with greater concentration of solutes.

Hypoosmotic

Solution with lower concentration of solutes.

Isomotic

Solution with equal concentration of solutes.

Glucose Homeostasis

Regulation of blood glucose levels through hormones.

Hypoglycemic

Condition of low glucose levels.

Hyperglycemic

Condition of high glucose levels.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

Insufficient insulin production leading to glucose regulation issues.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Insulin resistance leading to impaired glucose regulation.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals facilitating communication between neurons.

Endocrine System

Uses hormones for widespread chemical communication across the body.

Chemical Messengers

Substances secreted by cells to effect changes in other cells.

Hormone-Receptor Complex

Acts as a transcription factor, influencing gene expression.

Membrane Bound Receptors

Receptors that facilitate rapid cellular changes.

Intracellular Receptors

Receptors that influence changes more slowly than membrane receptors.

Peptide Hormones

Water-soluble hormones composed of amino acids.

Steroid Hormones

Fat-soluble hormones derived from cholesterol.

Myoglobin

Oxygen reserve/storage molecule found in muscle cells.