Biology Lecture Review: Photosynthesis, Cell Reproduction, and Genetics

These flashcards cover key concepts in photosynthesis, cell reproduction, genetics, and biotechnology, providing definitions for important terms and processes discussed in the lecture.

Photosynthesis

Process that converts light energy into chemical energy (glucose) using sunlight, CO₂, and H₂O.

Photoautotroph

Organisms that use light energy to make organic molecules.

Chemoautotroph

Organisms that use chemicals (not light) to make organic molecules.

Heterotroph

Organisms that must consume food for energy; they cannot make their own.

Chloroplast

Organelles in plants/algae where photosynthesis occurs.

Thylakoids

Flat membrane sacs in chloroplasts where light reactions of photosynthesis occur.

Chlorophyll

Pigments found in thylakoid membranes that absorb light energy, primarily red and blue light.

Calvin Cycle

The process of carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration of RuBP that synthesizes glucose.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two genetically identical diploid cells.

Cytokinesis

The process that divides the cytoplasm and cell membrane to form two separate cells.

Genome

The complete set of DNA in a cell or organism.

Diploid Cell

A cell with two sets of chromosomes (2n).

Haploid Cell

A cell with one set of chromosomes (n).

Chromatid

Identical copies of a chromosome, joined at a region called the centromere.

Checkpoint

Control points in the cell cycle that ensure proper division and function.

Positive regulators

Proteins that promote the progression of the cell cycle.

Negative regulators

Proteins that halt the cell cycle in response to problems.

Allele

Variant form of a gene.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

The physical traits expressed in an organism as a result of its genotype.

Punnett Square

A diagram used to predict the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring from genetic crosses.

Mendel's Laws of Segregation

States that allele pairs separate during gamete formation.

Epistasis

One gene affects the expression of another gene.

Intron

Noncoding sequences of RNA that are spliced out during mRNA processing.

Exon

Coding sequences of RNA that remain in the final mRNA.

Transcription

The process of copying DNA to produce mRNA.

Translation

The process of synthesizing a protein from mRNA at the ribosome.

Mutation

Changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to variations in traits.

Natural Selection

The process where organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

An organism with DNA that has been artificially modified.

Virus

A non-living particle that requires a host organism to replicate.