Copy of General Biology I

Memory

An anatomical/physiological event occurring at synapses, dependent on neuronal plasticity and activity.

Neurons

The basic building blocks of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information.

Neuronal plasticity

The ability of the nervous system to be modified after birth, allowing for learning and memory.

Short-Term Memory (STM)

A type of memory where information is stored for a short time, typically seconds to minutes.

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

A type of memory where information can be retained for an infinite duration or capacity.

Long-Term Potentiation

A lasting increase in the strength of synaptic transmission, facilitating memory and retrieval.

Activity dependent

Changes that occur as a result of neuronal activity, affecting synaptic strength and memory connections.

Chunking

The process of grouping related information to improve memory retention and retrieval.

Biological molecules

Essential compounds such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids that are crucial for life.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serving as energy sources and structural components.

Lipids

Diverse group of hydrophobic biological molecules, including fats, phospholipids, and steroids.

Proteins

Macromolecules comprised of amino acids that perform a vast array of functions within living organisms.

Nucleic Acids

Polymers of nucleotides (DNA and RNA) that are crucial for storing and transmitting genetic information.

Abiogenesis

The process through which life arises naturally from non-living matter.

Natural selection

The evolutionary process through which traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on to future generations.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual, referencing the specific alleles present at a locus.

Phenotype

The observable traits or characteristics of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Homologous structures

Anatomic features that are similar between species due to common ancestry.

Species

A group of populations that can interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring.

Ecological niche

The role of a species within its ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other species.

Life history strategies

Patterns of reproduction and survival that species use to maximize their fitness in their environment.

Symbiosis

An interaction between two different organisms living in close physical proximity, which can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral.

Succession

The process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time.

Phylogenetics

The study of the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms.

Population genetics

The study of genetic variation within populations and the evolutionary forces that influence it.

Gene flow

The transfer of genetic material between populations, which can introduce new alleles and increase genetic diversity.

Genetic drift

A process in which allele frequencies in a population change by random chance.

Microevolution

Small-scale evolutionary changes that occur within a population over time.

Macroevolution

Large-scale evolutionary changes that result in the formation of new species.

Cladistics

A method of classification based on the construction of phylogenetic trees that reflect shared ancestry.

Community ecology

The study of interactions among species in a community and how those interactions shape the structure and dynamics of the community.

Scientific method