Biology TEAS Study

Biomolecules— What is Carbohydrates?

Quick Energy

Biomolecules—What is Lipids?

Long term energy + cell membranes.

Biomolecules—What is Proteins?

The structure + enzymes

Biomolecules—What is Nucleic Acids?

DNA & RNA

What does DNA stand for & do?

Deoxyribonucleic Acid= hereditary material in humans and almost all living organisms, acting as a detailed instruction manual for building, operating, and maintaining the body. DNA determines physical traits, controls cell function, and enables reproduction.

What does RNA stand for & do?

Ribonucleic Acid= A nucleic acid present in all living cells whose principal role is to act as a messenger carrying instructions from the DNA.

What is a protein?

The final product that determines the trait.

What are Enzymes?

Proteins that speed up reactions. Act as a Catalyst. Each one is specific.

What do living things do?

Grow, reproduce, use energy (metabolism), respond to environment.

What are Eukaryotes? EU=DO

A complex cell that contains a distinct membrane-bound nucleus holding their DNA. (Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protists)

What are Prokaryotes? PRO=NO

A single cell organism that lacks a nucleus. (Bacteria, archaea) DNA floats in the nucleoid instead.

What is Taxonomy?

The science of naming, describing, and classifying organisms—including plants, animals, and microorganisms—based on shared characteristics

Hierarchy Structure of Taxonomy

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

What is binomial nomenclature?

The formal, two-part scientific naming system for living organisms.

What is Homeostasis?

Keeps internal balance despite changing external conditions. (Ex. Sweating when hot, shivering when cold.) If balance is lost, enzymes fail, body fails.

What is diffusion?

The passive movement of molecules (like gases or small nutrients) from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, requiring no energy

What is Osmosis?

The spontaneous, net movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration (lower solute concentration) to a region of lower water concentration (higher solute concentration

What is active vs passive transport?

Active transport moves substances against a concentration gradient (low to high) using cellular energy (ATP) and proteins, while passive transport moves materials down a concentration gradient (high to low) without energy

What is Cellular Respiration?

The process where cells convert nutrients (like glucose) and oxygen into usable energy (ATP), releasing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts, essentially "burning" food for fuel to power all cell activities like growth and movement.

Humans use energy.

What is Photosynthesis?

The essential biological process by which plants, algae, and certain bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, creating glucose (food) and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water.

Plants make energy.

What is the Mitochondria?

Produces energy (ATP) “Powerhouse of the cell”

Where do your traits come from?

Proteins

Where do proteins come from?

DNA. If DNA changes, traits change.

What is a gene?

A piece of DNA.

What is an Allele?

A version of gene. You get one from each parent.

Dominant vs Recessive?

Define how traits are inherited. Dominant shows up, Recessive is hidden.

What is Codominance?

A type of inheritance in which two versions (alleles) of the same gene are expressed separately to yield different traits in an individual.

What is Incomplete Dominance?

A genetic pattern where neither dominant allele completely masks the other, resulting in a heterozygous phenotype that is a blend or intermediate of the two homozygous parents.

What is heterozygous?

An individual having two different alleles (versions) of a specific gene, one inherited from each biological parent. (Aa)

What is homozygous?

A genetic condition where an individual inherits identical forms (alleles) of a specific gene from both biological parents. (AA) or (aa)

What is Mitosis?

A cell division process where one parent cell splits to create two genetically identical daughter cells, essential for growth, repair, and replacing old cells in multicellular organisms.

What does PMAT stand for?

The phases of mitosis. Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.

What is Prophase in Mitosis?

Chromosomes condense, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the mitotic spindle begins to form.

What happens in Prometaphase?

Chromosomes continue to condense, and spindle microtubules attach to the kinetochores of the chromosomes.

What is metaphase?

Chromosomes line up along the center of the cell (metaphase plate).

What is Anaphase?

Sister chromatids are pulled apart toward opposite poles of the cell.

What is telophase?

A new nuclear membrane forms around each set of chromosomes, creating two new nuclei, and chromosomes decondense.

What are autosomes?

any chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes (X and Y), occurring in homologous pairs (except in gametes) and carrying most of the organism's genetic information for traits like physical characteristics and metabolic functions, not sex determination

What is Meiosis?

A special cell division process that creates four genetically unique sex cells (sperm or eggs) from one parent cell, each with half the number of chromosomes.

What is the cell cycle stages?

Growth, DNA, Replication, Division. Cells are regulated by checkpoints—cancer occurs when these fail.

What are mutations?

A change in the DNA sequence. It can harmful, beneficial, or neutral.

What is natural selection?

Organisms with beneficial traits that survive and reproduce. Improve survival.

What is bacteria?

Living cells that can reproduce independently, and can be treated with antibiotics.

What is a virus?

Not considered living, and needs a host to reproduce. Antibiotics do not work.

What is a neuron?

A specialized, tree-like nerve cells that act as the fundamental working units of the brain and nervous system

What are Neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one nerve cell (neuron) to another target cell.

What is Cytoplasm?

the thick, jelly-like substance that fills the interior of a cell, surrounding the nucleus and housing organelles

What is Golgi Apparatus?

a membrane-bound organelle found in most eukaryotic cells that processes, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for transport to their final destinations

What is the endoplasmic reticulum?

a vast, interconnected network of membrane-enclosed sacs (cisternae) and tubules found in eukaryotic cells, acting as a major transport and synthesis system