General Biology - Unit 1 Lecture Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental concepts in General Biology including historical figures, scientific method, biological subdivisions, cell structure, transport mechanisms, metabolic processes, cell division, and genetics.

Biology

A branch of study that deals with living things and their processes.

Cytology

The branch of biological science that deals with the study of the structure and function of cells.

Histology

The study of biological tissues.

Anabolism

The metabolic process of forming complex substances from simple ones, representing a building up process that requires energy.

Catabolism

The metabolic process of breaking down complex substances into simpler ones, releasing stored chemical energy.

Qualitative Data

Non-precise data pertaining to physical qualities (such as color, size, or shape) that varies from person to person and is used mainly in social sciences.

Quantitative Data

Precise data pertaining to measurable quantities that involves numerical values and units of measurement.

Spontaneous Generation (Abiogenesis)

The theory proposed by Aristotle stating that living things can arise directly from non-living matter.

Biogenesis Theory

The theory proposed by Francisco Redi stating that living organisms arise from existing living things.

Binomial Nomenclature

A system of naming organisms introduced by Carolus Linnaeus, composed of two names derived from the Genus and species.

Kingdom Monera

A classification kingdom consisting of unicellular, prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria and blue-green algae.

Kingdom Protista

A classification kingdom consisting of unicellular eukaryotic organisms, such as amoeba, paramecium, and euglena.

Cell Theory

A fundamental biological principle credit to Theodor Schwann, Matthias Schleiden, and Rudolf Virchow stating that all living organisms are composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Prokaryotic Cell

A cell that lacks a true nuclear membrane or nucleus, containing its genetic material in a central nucleoid region.

Eukaryotic Cell

A cell that possesses a defined nucleus bounded by a true nuclear membrane along with membrane-bound organelles.

Plasmids

Gene-carrying, circular DNA structures found in prokaryotes that are not involved in reproduction.

Capsule

An additional outer covering found in some bacterial cells that protects the cell, retains moisture, and helps adhere to surfaces.

Golgi Complex

A eukaryotic organelle responsible for storing, packaging, and processing cellular products and macromolecules.

Lysosomes

Enzyme-containing sacs within the cytoplasm that digest cellular wastes, worn-out organelles, and foreign particles.

Tonoplast

The membrane surrounding the large central vacuole in a plant cell.

Plasmodesmata

Microscopic channels traversing the cell walls of adjacent plant cells that enable transport and communication.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher solute concentration than the inside of a cell, causing water to move outward and leading to cell shrinkage (plasmolysis).

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower solute concentration than the inside of a cell, causing water to move inward and leading to cell swelling and bursting (cytolysis).

Facilitated Diffusion

A form of passive transport where specific particles move across a membrane from higher to lower concentration through dedicated transport proteins without energy expenditure.

Endocytosis

An active transport process in which a cell takes in bulky material by folding its cell membrane inward to form a food vacuole.

Exocytosis

An active transport process where materials inside a cell are forced out in bulk as their surrounding membrane fuses with the cell membrane.

Glycolysis

An anaerobic metabolic process that converts glucose into two molecules of 3-carbon pyruvate, capturing a small amount of usable energy.

Photosynthesis Equation

The chemical reaction representing photosynthesis: $6CO_2 + 12H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6H_2O + 6O_2$

Light Reactions

The pathway of photosynthesis that converts light energy into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH.

Calvin Cycle

The light-independent pathway of photosynthesis that utilizes ATP, NADPH, and $CO_2$ to produce carbohydrates.

Binary Fission

A form of vegetative cell division in prokaryotes where genetic material is segregated equally into two daughter cells.

Mitosis

A eukaryotic vegetative cell division process producing two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell ($2n \rightarrow 2n$).

Meiosis

A reductive cell division process that produces four genetically different haploid gametes ($2n \rightarrow 1n$).

Synapsis

The pairing of homologous chromosomes during the Zygonema stage of Prophase I in meiosis to form a tetrad.

Crossing-Over

The exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids occurring during the Pachynema stage of Prophase I in meiosis.

Allele

One alternative form of a given gene pair.

Phenotype

The outward, physical appearance or expressed characteristics of a particular trait.

Genotype

The specific allelic combination or genetic constitution for a certain gene.

Monohybrid Cross

A genetic cross between two individuals in which only one character trait at a single locus is studied.

Dihybrid Cross

A genetic cross between two individuals in which two character traits at a single locus are studied.