Biology review

pH

The measure of how acidic or basic something is.

Acid

Anything that has a pH of 1 to 6.9.

Neutral

Anything with a pH of 7.

Base

Anything with a pH of 7.1 to 14.

Enzyme

Another name for a catalyst, a protein that speeds up chemical reactions.

Buffers

Compounds that regulate pH levels to maintain homeostasis.

Osmosis

The movement of water from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a selectively permeable membrane.

Passive Transport

The movement of particles with their concentration gradient without requiring energy.

Diffusion

The movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Facilitated Diffusion

Passive transport using proteins in the plasma membrane.

Active Transport

The movement of particles against their concentration gradient that requires energy.

Polymers

Large chains made up of smaller subunits called monomers.

Carbohydrates

Polymers made up of monosaccharides, used for short-term energy storage.

Lipids

Polymers made up of triglycerides, used for long-term energy storage and protective coverings.

Proteins

Polymers made up of amino acids, used for enzymes, transport, and cell signaling.

Nucleic Acids

Polymers made up of nucleotides, used for storing genetic information.

Enzymes

Proteins that speed up chemical reactions.

Denature

The process by which proteins lose their shape due to high temperatures or changes in pH.

Stem Cells

Cells that are not specialized and have the potential to become any kind of cell.

Plasma Membrane

Maintains homeostasis by allowing some things to enter the cell while keeping others out.

Nucleus

Contains DNA and serves as the control center of the cell.

Ribosomes

Structures that make proteins.

Mitochondria

Breaks down sugars to release energy.

Chloroplast

Uses energy from the sun to create simple sugars.

Vacuole

Acts as a storage center.

Cell Wall

Provides structure and support for the cell.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants, some bacteria, and algae convert carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight into sugar and oxygen.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert sugar and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and energy (ATP).

Anaerobic Respiration

A process that does not require oxygen and occurs in the cytoplasm.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that results in four different daughter cells.

DNA Replication

The process of making a copy of DNA before cell division.

Substitution Mutation

A change in a single base pair that can alter an entire protein or just one amino acid.

Addition or Deletion Mutation

Deletion or insertion of a base pair that changes the entire reading frame and protein structure.

Chromosomal Alteration

A change in an entire chromosome, such as Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).

DNA Transcription

The process of making an RNA transcript from a DNA strand.

mRNA

RNA that takes the chemical message in DNA to the ribosome.

tRNA

RNA that transfers amino acids to the ribosome for protein assembly.

rRNA

RNA that makes up the ribosome.

Complimentary Base Pairing Rules

A-U, T-A, C-G, G-C (no T in RNA).

Codon

A group of three RNA base pairs.

Anticodon

A group of three base pairs found on a tRNA molecule that matches up with the mRNA codon.

RNA Translation

The process by which mRNA is turned into a protein in the ribosome.

Methionine codon (AUG)

The codon that starts the translation process.

Proteins

Held together by peptide bonds.

Genotype

The genetic make-up of an organism.

Phenotype

The physical appearance of an organism.

Homozygote

Having two of the same alleles (HH or hh).

Heterozygote

Having different alleles (Hh).

Dominant

Masks a recessive trait.

Recessive

Masked by a dominant trait.

Punnett Squares

Used to predict the outcome of a mating.

Co-Dominance

When both parental phenotypes are shown in the offspring.

Incomplete Dominance

The blending of two parental phenotypes to produce a new phenotype.

Genetic Diseases

Disorders caused by genetic mutations.

Dominant Genetic Disease

Huntington's Disease, which shows up later in life and causes brain deterioration.

Recessive Genetic Diseases

PKU, CF, Tay-Sachs, and Sickle-Cell Anemia.

Sex-Linked Recessive Diseases

Color-Blindness and Hemophilia.

Chromosomal Alteration Disease

Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).

Blood Types

A, B, AB, and O.

Pedigrees

Family trees that show the inheritance of certain traits.

Recombinant DNA

Insertion of DNA from one species into the DNA of another species.

Transgenic Organism

Organisms that contain recombinant DNA from two different species.

Gel Electrophoresis

The separation of DNA based on size.

Gene Therapy

The insertion of a normal gene into a mutated one to cure a genetic disease.

Human Genome Project

The project that sequenced the base pairs of the entire human genome.

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes that cut genes at specific base pairs.

Plasmids

Small circular pieces of DNA in bacteria used as vectors to insert new genes into organisms.

Test Cross

Crossing an organism with an unknown genotype with a known one to determine the genotype of the unknown.

Artificial Selection

The choosing of specific traits by humans to create genetically superior organisms.

Theory of the First Cell

The hypothesis that the first cell was created in the ocean through the combination of organic molecules.

Charles Darwin

The founder of evolutionary theory.

Survival of the Fittest

Organisms that are best adapted to their environment will survive and pass on their traits.

Mimicry

Copying the appearance of another species for evolutionary advantage.

Camouflage

Blending in with the environment.

Vestigial Structure

A structure that once had a function but no longer serves a purpose.

Homologous Structure

Structures that have a common ancestor but evolved into different functions.

Analogous Structure

Structures that have the same function but do not have a common ancestor.

Geographic Isolation

Species look different due to being separated by geography.

Reproductive Isolation

Species cannot physically mate and produce viable offspring.

Divergent Evolution

One species becomes two.

Convergent Evolution

Two different species begin to look similar.

Adaptive Radiation

The evolution of one species into many species to fit specific environments.

Dichotomous Key

A tool used to identify organisms based on characteristics.

Cladogram

A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships between organisms.

Antibiotic and Pesticide Resistance

Some bacteria and pests have genetic advantages that make them resistant to treatments.

Taxonomy

The classification of organisms based on

Transpiration

Loss of water through the stomata in plants.

Phototropism

Tendency of plants to move towards light.

Gravotropism

Tendency of plants to put their roots down towards the ground.

Thigmotropism

Tendency of plants to respond to touch.

Seeds

Structures with a food source, water, and embryo that can withstand tough environments.

Order of plant evolution

Non-Vascular Plants, Vascular Non-Seed Plants, Vascular Seed Plants.

Innate Behavior

Inherited behavior present at birth.

Migration

Seasonal movements of animals based on external cues.

Estivation

A state of lowered metabolic rate during extreme heat.

Hibernation

A state of lowered metabolic rate during the winter.

Courtship Behavior

Behaviors carried out before mating.

Bee's Social Dance

Bees directing others to the location of nectar/honey.

Pheromone

Scent used to communicate between organisms.