Biology Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the biology lecture notes.

Capsid

A protein coat that encases the nucleic acid core in viruses.

Nucleotides

The basic building blocks of DNA and RNA.

Lytic cycle

A viral replication cycle that results in the destruction of the host cell and the release of new viruses.

Lysogenic cycle

A viral replication cycle that allows the virus to integrate its genomic material into the host cell's genome.

Pathogenic

Refers to viruses that invade host cells, causing disease or death.

Virus

A microscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism.

DNA replication

The process by which a double-stranded DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules.

Semiconservative replication

The method of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule consists of one old and one new strand.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using the mRNA template.

Gene

A section of DNA that contains the instructions for a specific trait.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a specific gene.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a specific gene.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual, represented by the alleles present.

Phenotype

The observable physical traits of an organism, determined by its genotype.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing four gametes.

Genetic drift

A mechanism of evolution that involves random changes in allele frequencies.

Natural selection

The process by which organisms better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Adaptation

An inherited trait that increases an organism's chances of survival in its environment.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Carbon Cycle

The process by which carbon is exchanged among the atmosphere, land, water, and living organisms.

Nitrogen Cycle

The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Cellular respiration

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Endosymbiotic Theory

The theory that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as prokaryotic cells engulfed by a host cell.