Biology eoc

scientific method

process scientists use to solve problems and test ideas. Mnemonic: "Real Hippos Eat Delicious Apple Cake" = Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data, Analyze, Conclusion

hypothesis

a testable prediction usually written as if-then-because. Meme: "bro trust me" is NOT a hypothesis

independent variable

the variable the scientist changes. Mnemonic: independent = I change it

dependent variable

the variable being measured. Mnemonic: it DEPENDS on the independent variable

control group

the normal group used for comparison

ecosystem

all living and nonliving things interacting in an area

biotic factors

living parts of an ecosystem. Mnemonic: BIO = life

abiotic factors

nonliving parts of an ecosystem. Mnemonic: A = not

biodiversity

variety of life in an ecosystem

invasive species

non-native organism that harms an ecosystem. Meme: the kid who joins the group project and ruins everything

trophic level

feeding level in a food chain

10% rule

only about 10% of energy moves to the next trophic level. Meme: your phone battery after scrolling TikTok for 20 minutes

producer

organism that makes its own food. Mnemonic: producers PRODUCE food

consumer

organism that eats other organisms

decomposer

organism that breaks down dead material. Mnemonic: nature's cleanup crew

carbon cycle

movement of carbon through the environment

carrying capacity

largest population an environment can support

limiting factors

things that stop population growth like food or space

polar molecule

molecule with uneven charge distribution like water

cohesion

water sticking to water

adhesion

water sticking to other substances

carbohydrates

macromolecules used for quick energy. Mnemonic: carbs = fast fuel

lipids

macromolecules used for long-term energy storage. Meme: lipids are the body's power bank

proteins

macromolecules used for structure and enzymes

nucleic acids

DNA and RNA that store genetic information

monomer

small building block molecule

polymer

large molecule made of many monomers

enzyme

protein that speeds up chemical reactions. Meme: the skip-ad button for chemical reactions

activation energy

energy needed to start a reaction

endosymbiotic theory

theory that mitochondria and chloroplasts were once bacteria. Meme: mitochondria are ancient roommates that never moved out

cell theory

all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and cells come from existing cells

prokaryote

cell without a nucleus

eukaryote

cell with a nucleus

nucleus

controls the cell and stores DNA. Mnemonic: brain of the cell

mitochondria

organelle that makes ATP energy. Meme: THE POWERHOUSE OF THE CELL

ribosomes

organelles that make proteins

cell membrane

controls what enters and leaves the cell. Mnemonic: security guard of the cell

chloroplast

organelle where photosynthesis happens

vacuole

storage organelle in cells. Meme: the cell's junk drawer

diffusion

movement from high concentration to low concentration

osmosis

diffusion of water. Mnemonic: osmosis = water moving

passive transport

movement without energy

active transport

movement requiring energy. Mnemonic: ACTIVE transport uses ATP

hypertonic

solution where water leaves the cell. Mnemonic: HIPPO = Hyper out, Hypo in

hypotonic

solution where water enters the cell

isotonic

solution with equal water movement

photosynthesis

process plants use sunlight to make glucose. Meme: plants literally eat sunlight

photosynthesis equation

6CO2 + 6H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2

cellular respiration

process cells use to break down glucose for ATP

cellular respiration equation

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP

ATP

main energy molecule of cells. Mnemonic: ATP = cell money

cell cycle

stages of cell growth and division

interphase

stage where cell grows and copies DNA

mitosis

process that makes identical body cells

PMAT

stages of mitosis: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase. Mnemonic: Please Make A Taco

cytokinesis

division of cytoplasm into two cells

meiosis

process that makes sex cells

crossing over

chromosomes exchange DNA during meiosis. Meme: chromosomes trading Pokémon cards

nondisjunction

chromosomes fail to separate correctly

gene

segment of DNA that codes for a trait

allele

different form of a gene

dominant trait

trait that masks another trait. Mnemonic: dominant = bossy

recessive trait

trait hidden by a dominant trait

homozygous

having two identical alleles

heterozygous

having two different alleles

genotype

genetic makeup of an organism. Mnemonic: GENO = genes

phenotype

physical appearance of an organism. Mnemonic: PHENO = physical

segregation

separation of alleles during gamete formation

independent assortment

genes for different traits separate independently

incomplete dominance

blended trait inheritance

codominance

both traits show equally

Punnett square

chart used to predict offspring traits

DNA

double helix molecule carrying genetic information

base pairing rules

A pairs with T and C pairs with G. Mnemonic: Apples in Trees, Cars in Garages

DNA replication

process where DNA copies itself

helicase

enzyme that unzips DNA. Meme: DNA zipper opener

transcription

process where DNA is copied into mRNA

translation

process where ribosomes make proteins from mRNA

mRNA

carries instructions from DNA to ribosomes

mutation

change in DNA sequence. Meme: typo in life's instruction manual

biotechnology

use of living organisms to solve problems

GMO

genetically modified organism

evolution

change in populations over time

evidence for evolution

fossils, DNA similarities, homologous structures, embryology

natural selection

organisms with helpful traits survive and reproduce. Meme: adapt or get deleted

adaptation

trait that improves survival

homologous structures

similar structures from common ancestors

analogous structures

structures with similar functions but different origins

vestigial structures

leftover structures with little function. Meme: biological leftovers

taxonomy

classification of organisms

classification order

domain kingdom phylum class order family genus species. Mnemonic: Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup

binomial nomenclature

two-part scientific naming system

three domains

bacteria archaea eukarya

roots

plant organs that absorb water and anchor the plant

stems

plant organs that support transport

leaves

plant organs where photosynthesis occurs

xylem

plant tissue that transports water. Mnemonic: xylem goes UP

phloem

plant tissue that transports sugar. Mnemonic: phloem = food flow

circulatory system

system that transports oxygen nutrients and waste

heart

organ that pumps blood