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Bio regents Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the most common elements in living things?

A

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen (CHON)

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2
Q

What characterizes organic compounds?

A

They have Carbon AND Hydrogen

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3
Q

What are carbohydrates made from?

A

Simple sugars (like glucose)

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4
Q

What is the primary function of carbohydrates?

A

They supply energy

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5
Q

What do enzymes do to starches and complex sugars?

A

They break them down into simple sugars

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6
Q

What do lipids include?

A

Fats, oils, and waxes

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7
Q

What are proteins made from?

A

Amino acids

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8
Q

What determines what proteins can do?

A

The shape of proteins and how they fit together with other molecules

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9
Q

List four specific jobs of proteins.

A
  • Enzymes
  • Receptor molecules
  • Antibodies
  • Hormones
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10
Q

What is the lock and key model in relation to enzymes?

A

One type of enzyme fits one and only one type of molecule

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11
Q

What happens to proteins and enzymes at very high temperatures?

A

They lose their shape and no longer work properly

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12
Q

What does the pH scale measure?

A

The strengths of acids and bases

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13
Q

What pH range indicates an acid?

A

0-6

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14
Q

What pH range indicates a base?

A

8-14

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15
Q

What is homeostasis?

A

A balanced state in an organism

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16
Q

What is dynamic equilibrium?

A

The body stays balanced by taking action whenever the balance is disturbed

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17
Q

What are the basic life functions organisms carry out to maintain homeostasis?

A
  • Transport
  • Nutrition
  • Excretion
  • Respiration
  • Growth
  • Synthesis
  • Regulation
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18
Q

What is metabolism?

A

The term used to describe all life processes

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19
Q

What is diffusion?

A

Movement of molecules from high concentrations to low concentrations

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20
Q

What is the difference between active transport and passive transport?

A

Active transport requires energy; passive transport does not

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21
Q

What is osmosis?

A

The diffusion of water into or out of the cell

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22
Q

What do autotrophs do?

A

Make their own food

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23
Q

What is photosynthesis?

A

The process that converts radiant energy of the sun into the bonds of sugar molecules

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24
Q

Where does photosynthesis primarily occur in plants?

A

In the chloroplast

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25
What is the role of guard cells in plants?
They open and close stomates to prevent dehydration
26
What is aerobic respiration?
Respiration that requires oxygen and yields more ATP
27
What is anaerobic respiration?
Respiration that occurs without oxygen
28
What do neurons do?
Carry electrical signals
29
What is a hormone?
A chemical signal secreted by glands in the body
30
What is the cell theory?
* All living things are made of 1 or more cells * Cells carry out all of an organism's life functions * All cells come from other cells
31
What is the difference between plant and animal cells?
* Plant cells have cell walls * Plant cells have chloroplasts * Animal cells have centrioles * Animal cells have many small vacuoles
32
What does selective permeability mean in relation to the cell membrane?
Only some molecules can pass through it
33
What are the basic types of proteins in the cell membrane?
* Receptor proteins * Transport proteins * Antigens
34
What is the function of the heart in the circulatory system?
It is the pump that drives the circulatory system
35
What do red blood cells carry?
Oxygen
36
What is the role of white blood cells?
Fight disease
37
What is the job of the immune system?
Protect the body against pathogens
38
What are antigens?
Protein tags used to identify a cell or virus
39
What are antibodies?
Proteins made by white blood cells to attack antigens
40
What is a vaccine?
An injection of a dead or weakened pathogen that causes the body to make antibodies
41
What is the role of the kidneys in the excretory system?
Filter waste from blood and reabsorb nutrients
42
What is the main function of the digestive system?
Break down food so it is small enough to enter body tissues/cells
43
What is peristalsis?
Muscular contractions that move food through the digestive system
44
What happens to undigested food?
It is eliminated as solid waste (feces)
45
What is asexual reproduction?
Reproduction that is faster and easier but results in no variety
46
What is sexual reproduction?
Reproduction that provides variety due to recombination of genes
47
What system removes wastes from the respiratory system?
The excretory system ## Footnote This highlights the interconnection between body systems in maintaining homeostasis.
48
What two systems work together to control the body?
The nervous and endocrine systems ## Footnote These systems coordinate body functions and responses.
49
What is a disadvantage of asexual reproduction?
No variety; offspring are the same as the parent ## Footnote This can limit adaptability to changing environments.
50
What is the main advantage of sexual reproduction?
Variety due to recombination of genes ## Footnote This increases genetic diversity within a population.
51
What process is used in all forms of asexual reproduction?
Mitosis ## Footnote Mitosis results in two identical diploid cells.
52
What is produced during meiosis?
Gametes used in sexual reproduction ## Footnote Meiosis results in four different haploid cells.
53
What hormone is produced in the testes?
Testosterone ## Footnote This hormone is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics.
54
What is the average duration of the menstrual cycle?
28 days ## Footnote This cycle includes ovulation and menstruation.
55
Where does fertilization occur?
In the fallopian tube (oviduct) ## Footnote This is where the sperm meets the egg.
56
What is a zygote?
A fertilized egg ## Footnote The zygote is diploid, restoring the complete set of chromosomes.
57
What is the function of the placenta?
Transfers nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the fetus ## Footnote The placenta also removes waste products from the fetus.
58
What happens to cells during cleavage in the embryo?
Cells divide without becoming larger ## Footnote This process leads to the formation of a multicellular embryo.
59
What is the total number of chromosomes in humans?
46 chromosomes, or 23 homologous pairs ## Footnote It is important to memorize the correct number of chromosomes.
60
What are sex chromosomes in humans?
Females are XX and males are XY ## Footnote The Y chromosome is smaller and carries fewer genes.
61
What are mutations?
Changes to DNA ## Footnote They can affect the structure and function of proteins.
62
What is the common mistake regarding the relationship between genes and proteins?
Genes/DNA are made from protein ## Footnote In reality, genes carry instructions to make proteins.
63
What is genetic engineering?
Inserting genes of one organism into the genes of another ## Footnote This process often uses bacteria to produce substances like insulin.
64
What is gradualism in evolution?
The idea that evolutionary change occurs slowly ## Footnote This contrasts with punctuated equilibrium, which suggests rapid changes.
65
What is the role of geographic isolation in evolution?
It usually leads to reproductive isolation and the creation of new species ## Footnote Isolation prevents interbreeding between populations.
66
What is the main mechanism proposed by Charles Darwin for species change?
Natural selection ## Footnote This mechanism involves survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits.
67
What is the difference between 'fit' organisms and 'unfit' organisms?
'Fit' organisms are better adapted to their environment ## Footnote Unfit organisms typically do not survive or reproduce.
68
What evidence supports evolution?
Geology, genetics, biochemistry, anatomy, and embryology ## Footnote These fields provide data that corroborate evolutionary theory.
69
What is the result of sexual reproduction and mutation?
Variation in species ## Footnote Variations are essential for evolution.
70
How does species variation affect survival?
Species with more variation are better able to survive environmental changes ## Footnote Greater diversity increases adaptability.
71
Define gradualism in evolutionary terms.
The idea that evolutionary change occurs slowly.
72
What does punctuated equilibrium propose?
Evolution happens in 'quick' bursts.
73
What is typically required for the creation of new species?
Geographic isolation leading to reproductive isolation.
74
List some fields that provide evidence for evolution.
* Geology * Genetics * Biochemistry * Anatomy * Embryology
75
What are kingdoms in biological classification?
Large groups of related organisms such as fungi, bacteria, protists, animals, and plants.
76
What defines a species?
A group able to successfully reproduce among its members.
77
What are branching tree diagrams used for?
To show evolutionary relationships.
78
What is natural selection?
The mechanism that causes species to change, proposed by Charles Darwin.
79
What are the basic steps in natural selection?
* Overproduction of offspring * Competition for limited resources * Survival and gene passing or death * Beneficial variations become more common
80
What characterizes 'fit' organisms in terms of evolution?
They are better adapted to their environment and can successfully pass on their genes.
81
True or False: Stronger organisms are always more fit than weaker ones.
False ## Footnote Fitness is determined by adaptation, not physical strength.
82
What drives evolution?
Changes in the environment.
83
What happens to species that cannot adapt to environmental changes?
They become extinct.
84
Fill in the blank: Variations must exist in a species before the environment changes for evolution to occur. This is known as _______.
pre-adaptation
85
What is the misconception about how species evolve traits?
Species do not evolve traits because they need them.
86
What is the maximum size of a population called?
Carrying capacity.
87
What roles do organisms play in an ecosystem?
Niche.
88
List the basic terms related to ecology.
* Producer * Consumer * Omnivore * Herbivore * Carnivore * Predator * Parasite * Habitat * Niche * Population * Community * Ecosystem * Biosphere * Pollution * Renewable resource
89
What human actions negatively affect ecosystems?
* Development * Industrialization * Pollution * Farming * Overhunting * Overgrazing * Clear cutting * Introduction of foreign species * Soil erosion
90
What is biodiversity?
The variety of life on earth.
91
Why is reducing biodiversity considered bad?
* Ecosystems with low diversity are less stable * They take longer to recover from changes * We lose potentially valuable resources for food and medicine
92
List actions being taken to repair environmental damage.
* Recycling wastes * Conserving resources * Using cleaner resources * Protecting habitats and endangered species * Biological controls instead of pesticides * Farming native plants * Planting trees * Crop rotation * Laws to control pollution

Biology (1 decks)

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