Biology Final Study Guide Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for the Biology Final Study Guide.

Niche

The role and position a species has in its environment; how it meets its needs for food and shelter, how it survives, and how it reproduces.

Food Web

A diagram that shows multiple feeding pathways through which energy and matter flow in an ecosystem

Food Chain

A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

Producer

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis (e.g., plants)

Consumer

Organisms that eat other organisms for energy (e.g., animals)

Biogeochemical Cycle

The cycling of matter through the biological and geological world (e.g., water cycle, nitrogen cycle)

Primary Consumer

An organism that eats producers.

Secondary Consumer

An organism that eats primary consumers.

Tertiary Consumer

An organism that eats secondary consumers.

Population

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

Community

All the populations of different species that live in a particular area.

Energy lost at each trophic level

Approximately 90%

Primary Productivity

The rate at which producers build biomass.

Water Cycle Steps

Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation

Nitrogen Cycle Steps

Nitrogen Fixation, Ammonification, Nitrification, Denitrification

Biotic Factors

Living factors (e.g., plants, animals)

Abiotic Factors

Non-living factors (e.g., sunlight, water)

Primary Succession

Succession that begins in an area with no existing soil (e.g., volcanic rock)

Secondary Succession

Succession that begins in an area where soil already exists (e.g., after a forest fire)

Succession on volcanic rock

Primary Succession

Population Density

The number of individuals per unit area or volume.

Birth and Death Rates Equal

The population size remains stable.

Immigration

The movement of individuals into a population.

Emigration

The movement of individuals out of a population.

Density-Independent Factors

Factors that affect population size regardless of population density (e.g., natural disasters)

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors that affect population size based on population density (e.g., competition, disease)

Non-Native Species

Species introduced to an area outside of their native range.

Exponential Growth

Population growth that occurs without any limitations; characterized by a J-shaped curve.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size that an environment can support.

R-Strategists

Species that reproduce quickly and have many offspring (e.g., bacteria)

K-Strategists

Species that reproduce slowly and have few offspring (e.g., elephants)

Adaptation

An inherited trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

Darwin's Research Location

Galapagos Islands

Homologous Structures

Structures that have a common ancestry and are similar in structure, but may have different functions (e.g., the arm of a human and the wing of a bat).

Vestigial Structures

Structures that have no apparent function and are thought to be remnants of structures that served a purpose in the organism's ancestors (e.g., the human appendix).

Gene Pool

The total collection of genes in a population.

Allele Frequency

The relative frequency of an allele in a population.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence.

Directional Selection

Selection that favors one extreme phenotype.

Disruptive Selection

Selection that favors both extreme phenotypes.

Stabilizing Selection

Selection that favors the intermediate phenotype.

Genetic Drift

Random changes in allele frequencies due to chance events.

Species

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

Horse and Donkey Same Species?

No.

Speciation

The process by which new species arise.

Geographical Isolation

When populations are separated by a physical barrier.

Reproductive Isolation

When populations can no longer interbreed due to reproductive incompatibilities.

5 Conditions for Genetic Equilibrium

1. No mutations 2. Random Mating 3. No natural selection 4. Extremely large population size 5. No gene flow

Allele Movement

Gene Flow

Remnants of Past Organisms

Fossils

Punctuated Equilibrium

Evolution that occurs in rapid bursts followed by long periods of stasis.

Pili (Cilia)

Threadlike structures that help bacteria stick to surfaces.

Flagella

A whip-like structure used for movement.

Bacteria Shapes

Spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), spiral (spirilla)

Beneficial Bacteria

Help in digestion, produce vitamins.

Salmonella

A type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

Virus Composition

Genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat.

Type of Cells Bacteria are

Prokaryotic

How Viruses Reproduce

By inserting their genetic material into a host cell.

Antibody

A protein produced by the immune system to neutralize pathogens.

Vaccine

A preparation of weakened or killed pathogens used to stimulate antibody production.

Pathogen

A disease-causing agent.

Body's First Line of Defense

Skin, mucous membranes, secretions.

Histamine Producers

Mast cells; cause inflammation.

Plasma B Cells

Produce antibodies.

Memory B Cells

Remember past infections.

Helper T Cells

Activate other immune cells.

Killer T Cells

Kill infected cells.

Cells HIV attacks

Helper T Cells

Neuron Parts

Cell body, dendrites, axon.

Central Nervous System

The brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Nerves that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Synapse

The gap between two neurons.

Reflex

Rapid, automatic response to a stimulus.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse.

Location of Neurotransmitter Release

Released at the synapse.

Dopamine and Acetylcholine Functions

Dopamine: involved in reward and motivation; Acetylcholine: involved in muscle contraction and memory.

Sensory vs. Motor Neurons

Sensory neurons: carry signals from the senses to the central nervous system; Motor neurons: carry signals from the central nervous system to the muscles.

Autonomic vs. Somatic Nervous Systems

Autonomic: controls involuntary functions; Somatic: controls voluntary movements.

Cerebrum, Cerebellum, and Brain Stem Functions

Cerebrum: higher-level thinking; Cerebellum: coordination and balance; Brain stem: basic life functions.

Exocrine vs. Endocrine Glands

Exocrine glands: secrete substances through ducts; Endocrine glands: secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Sweat and Salivary Glands

Exocrine glands.

Target Cell

Have receptors for a specific hormone.

Steroid Hormones

Hormones made from cholesterol.

Amino Acid Hormones

Hormones made from amino acids.

Positive vs. Negative Feedback

Positive feedback: amplifies a response; Negative feedback: reduces a response to maintain homeostasis.

Master Gland

The pituitary gland.