Key Terms:

• Prokaryotic Cells: Cells without a nucleus, such as bacterial cells.

• Eukaryotic Cells: Cells with membrane-bound organelles, including plant and animal cells.

• Differentiation: The process by which a cell becomes specialized for a specific function.

• Photosynthesis: The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose.

• Respiration: The process of breaking down glucose to release energy, can be aerobic (with oxygen) or anaerobic (without oxygen).

Key Processes

• Cell Division: Mitosis (produces two identical daughter cells) and Meiosis (produces four genetically diverse gametes).

• Gas Exchange: The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide in organisms, occurs in the alveoli in lungs and gills in fish.

• Osmosis: The movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.

• Active Transport: The movement of substances against a concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Key People

• Gregor Mendel: Known as the father of genetics for his work on inheritance patterns in pea plants.

• Charles Darwin: Developed the theory of evolution by natural selection, explaining how species evolve over time.

Seminal Studies

• Mendel's Pea Plant Experiments: Demonstrated the principles of inheritance and the concept of dominant and recessive traits.

• Stanford Prison Experiment: Although not directly related to biology, it highlights the impact of environment on behavior, relevant in understanding organism interactions.

Diseases/Conditions

• Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder caused by a recessive allele affecting the cell membranes.

• Diabetes: A condition where the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels, can be type 1 (insulin-dependent) or type 2 (insulin resistance).

• Coronary Heart Disease: A condition caused by the build-up of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart.

Facts to Memorize

• The equation for photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

• The equation for respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy

• The magnification formula: Magnification = Image size / Real size

• The area of inhibition zone: Area = πr²

• Constants: Pi (π) ≈ 3.14, Standard form: 0.003 = 3 × 10⁻³

Reference Information

• Light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis.

• The role of auxins in plant growth and responses (phototropism and gravitropism).

• The structure and function of the heart and blood vessels.

• The process of osmosis and its importance in plant cells.

• The role of enzymes in biological reactions.

Concept Comparisons