BIOL FINAL EXAM

Taxonomy

The science of classifying organisms into categories based on shared characteristics.

Carl Linnaeus

Credited founder of the taxonomic naming system.

Levels of Taxonomic Organization

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

DOGS REACH

A mnemonic summarizing the characteristics of living organisms: DNA, Organization, Growth and Development, Stability (Homeostasis), Reproduction, Energy Processing (Metabolism), Adaptation, Cell Structure, Heredity.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants through photosynthesis).

Heterotrophs

Organisms that rely on other organisms for food (e.g., animals).

Hypothesis

A testable and falsifiable statement often formulated as an if-then statement.

Ionic Bonds

Bonds formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating ions.

Covalent Bonds

Bonds formed when atoms share electrons.

Photosynthesis

The process of converting light energy into chemical energy, occurring in chloroplasts.

Cellular Respiration

The process of converting chemical energy into ATP, occurring in mitochondria.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that ensures equal distribution of genetic material.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces gametes, leading to genetic diversity through crossing over and independent assortment.

Mendel's Law of Segregation

States that alleles segregate during gamete formation.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an organism.

Point Mutation

A single nucleotide change in the genetic code.

Frameshift Mutation

Insertions or deletions in the genetic code that shift the reading frame.

CRISPR

A revolutionary technique for editing genomes.

Cloning

Creating a genetically identical copy of an organism.