Science FINAL Review Flashcards

A comprehensive vocabulary review covering evolution, genetics, cell biology, and ecology based on lecture notes.

Big Bang Theory

The universe began about $13.8$ billion years ago from a hot, dense point and expanded.

Charles Darwin

A naturalist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Galapagos finches

Finches that had different beak sizes depending on their island.

Evolution

The process by which populations change over time.

Trait

An inherited characteristic.

Artificial selection vs natural selection

Artificial is controlled by humans; natural occurs in nature where organisms better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce.

Natural selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Overproduction

Part of natural selection where more offspring are produced than can survive.

Genetic variation

Differences in traits among individuals within a population.

Selection

The phase where organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce.

Adaptation

An inherited trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce.

Extinction

Occurs when all members of a species have died.

Fossils

Remains or imprints of past organisms.

Fossil record

A collection of all fossils showing the history of life.

Transitional fossil

Fossil showing traits of both ancestors and descendants.

Embryology

The study of how organisms develop.

Chromatin vs chromosomes

Chromatin is loose DNA; chromosomes are tightly coiled DNA.

Cell cycle stages

Interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis.

Daughter cells

Two identical cells formed from one parent cell.

Prophase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes condense.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes line up in the middle.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes separate.

Telophase

The stage of mitosis where the nucleus reforms.

Homologous chromosomes

Pairs of chromosomes with the same genes.

Sex chromosomes

The $23rd$ pair of chromosomes, where $XX$ denotes female and $XY$ denotes male.

Gametes

Sex cells (sperm and egg) with half the number of chromosomes.

Haploid vs diploid

Haploid refers to one set of chromosomes; diploid refers to two sets.

Mitosis vs meiosis

Mitosis makes identical cells; meiosis makes gametes with half the chromosomes.

Fertilization

The process where sperm and egg combine to form a zygote.

Zygote

The first cell formed after fertilization.

Crossing over

The exchange of genetic material during Prophase I of meiosis.

Nondisjunction

Failure of chromosomes to separate properly resulting in conditions like Down syndrome.

Asexual vs sexual reproduction

Asexual uses one parent and produces identical offspring; sexual uses two parents and produces genetic variation.

Binary fission

A specific type of asexual reproduction where a cell divides into two.

Budding

A type of asexual reproduction where a new organism develops from an outgrowth.

Regeneration

A type of asexual reproduction where a body part grows back or a new organism grows from a piece.

Vegetative propagation

A type of asexual reproduction found in plants.

Gregor Mendel

The scientist who studied heredity using pea plants.

Heredity

The passing of traits from parents to offspring.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

The observable traits of an organism.

Gene

A section of DNA that codes for a trait.

Allele

A different version of a gene. (brown eyes vs blue eyes)

Dominant vs recessive

Dominant shows when present; recessive shows only if both alleles match.

Incomplete dominance vs codominance

Incomplete blends traits; codominance shows both traits.

Sex-linked disorder

A disorder located on the $X$ chromosome.

Punnett square

A diagram used to predict genetic outcomes.

Pedigree

a diagram that traces the occurrence of a trait through generations of a family. circle represents a female and a square represents a male.

DNA shape

Double helix.

Nucleotide

The building block of DNA made of sugar, phosphate, and a base.

DNA bases

Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine.

RNA bases

Adenine, Uracil, Cytosine, and Guanine.

RNA

Helps make proteins using DNA instructions.

Replication

The process of copying DNA.

Helicase

The enzyme that unzips DNA during replication.

3 types of RNA

mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA.

mRNA

Type of RNA that carries instructions from DNA.

rRNA

Type of RNA that forms ribosomes.

tRNA

Type of RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome.

Transcription vs translation

Transcription makes mRNA; translation makes protein.

RNA polymerase

The enzyme that builds RNA from DNA.

Mutation

A change in DNA, such as deletion, insertion, or substitution.

Central dogma

$$DNA \rightarrow RNA \rightarrow Protein$$

Biotechnology

The use of organisms to solve problems or make products.

4 types of biotechnology

Red, green, white, and blue.

GMO

An organism with DNA changed using genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering

Changing DNA for research, medicine, agriculture, or industry.

Cloning

The process of making an exact genetic copy.

Ecology

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Biotic vs abiotic

Biotic refers to living factors; abiotic refers to nonliving factors.

Levels of organization

Population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere.

Biome

A large region defined by climate, plants, and animals.

Niche

An organism’s specific role in its environment.

Producer vs consumer vs decomposer

Producer makes food; consumer eats; decomposer breaks down materials.

Food chain vs food web

Chain shows one path of energy; web shows many connections.

10% rule

About $10\%$ of energy passes between levels in an ecosystem.

Symbiosis types

Mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

Photosynthesis

Plants use sunlight, $CO_2$, and water to make glucose and oxygen.

Law of conservation of energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred.