ASVAB - General Science

Mitochondria

Site of cellular respiration. “Powerhouse” of the cell.

Nucleus

Contain’s the cell’s genetic information (DNA)

Cell Wall vs. Cell Membrane

only plant cells have a rigid cell wall outside the membrane

Photosynthesis

the process by which plants make food (CO2 + H2O + Light —→ Glucose + Oxygen)

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells (including human cells) use release energy from sugar (Glucose + Oxygen —→ CO2 + Water + ATP/Energy)

Mitosis

For growth/repair, results in identical cells. Cells which make up the body.

Meiosis

Producing sex cells/gametes, results in half the chromosomes. 

Circulatory System

Heart chambers (atria/ventricles), function of the arteries is to move blood away from the heart, veins move blood towards the heart, and capillaries which serve as a transfer/exchange station.

Respiratory System

The function of the lungs (facilitating gas exchange, ventilation, etc.) and trachea (conducts air). Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Digestive System

Stomach, intestines, liver. Breakdown of macronutrients (carbs, proteins, fats). The liver produces bile to aid in fat digestion.

Nervous System

Brain: Cerebrum (sensory perception), cerebellum (motor control), medulla (control essential involuntary body movements like breathing). Spinal cord coordinates and transmits signals throughout the body.

Red Blood Cells

Oxygen transport

White Blood Cells

Immunity

Platelets

Clotting

Macronutrients

Carbs, Fats/Lipids, Proteins. Needed for energy/bulk

Micronutrients

Vitamins, Minerals. Needed for specific cellular functions.

Fiber

Plant matter which the body cannot digest but is essential for bowel movement.

DNA

Molecule which contains genetic code for living things

Genes

the basic units of heredity, made of DNA, that carry instructions for traits and bodily functions by coding for proteins

Chromosomes

thread-like structures in the nucleus of a cell that contain DNA, which carries genes

Dominant Traits

expressed when at least one copy of the _____ allele is present

Recessive Traits

only appear when an individual inherits two copies of the _____ allele, one from each parent

Taxonomic Classification System

a hierarchical method for classifying and naming living organism. Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Producers

Make their own food (plants via photosynthesis).

Consumers

Eat other things (Primary eat producers, Secondary eat primary consumers, etc.).

Decomposers

Break down dead organic matter (like fungi and bacteria).

Ecology

relationships between organisms and environment

Kingdoms

fungi (decomposers), protists (bacteria, prokaryotes), plants, animals (vertebrates/invertebrates)

Matter

anything that has mass and takes up space

Atoms

Protons (+1), Neutrons (neural), electrons (-1). Electrons orbit while neutrons & proteins are inside the nucleus.

Atomic Number

equal to the number of protons and defines the element

Ion

An atom that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge

Element

a pure substance (like Oxygen, O)

Compounds

formed when two or more different elements combine chemically (like Water, H2O).

Periodic Table

Organizes by atomic number

Alkali Metals (Group 1)

Very reactive

Noble Gases (Group 0)

Very stable/non-reactive (inert).

Reactants

starting materials in a chemical reaction

Products

what is formed in a chemical reaction. Atoms are rearranged, but not created or destroyed.

Chemical change

results in a new substance (e.g., burning wood, rusting iron).

Physical Change

only alters the form, not the substance (e.g., melting ice).

Ionic Bonds

Transfer of electrons (usually metal + nonmetal).

Covalent Bonds

Sharing of electrons (usually two nonmetals).

States of Matter

Gas: Particles move fast and are far apart. Liquids. Solids: Particles vibrate in fixed positions.

Phase changes

Solid —→ Liquid: Melting

Liquid —→ Gas: Vaporization (Boiling/Evaporation)

Gas —→ Liquid: Condensation

Solid —→ Gas: Sublimation (like dry ice)

Kinetic Energy

energy of motion. KE = 1/2mv²

Potential energy

stored energy due to position. (especially Gravitational Potential Energy: PE = mgh)

Solutes

what is dissolved in a solution

Solvent

what does the dissolving an a solution

pH < 7

Acidic

pH > 7

Basic/Alkaline

Newton’s 1st Law

An object stays at rest or in uniform motion unless a net external force acts on it.

Newton’s 2nd Law

Force equals Mass times Acceleration (F = ma). This governs how forces change motion.

Newton’s 3rd Law

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Distance

scalar, magnitude only. total path length of an object's movement.

Displacement

shortest, direct path from the starting point to the ending point. vector, magnitude and direction

Speed

scalar quantity that measures how fast an object is moving (distance over time)

Velocity

a vector quantity that measures both the object's speed and its direction of motion (displacement over time)

Acceleration

rate of change of velocity

Work

a force applied over a distance in the direction of the force

wavelength

Distance between wave crests

frequency

How many waves pass a point per second

speed

frequency * wavelength

reflection

Bouncing light off a surface

refraction

Bending light as it passes from one medium to another (like air to water)

conduction

direct contact heat transfer

convection

movement of fluids/gases heat trasnfer

radiation heat transfer

like heat from the sun

current (I)

The flow of electrical charge (measured in Amperes).

Voltage (V)

The electrical "push" or potential difference (measured in Volts).

Resistence (R)

The opposition to current flow (measured in Ohms).

Magnetism

moving charges create magnetic fields

generators

magnets spinning near coils