Checklist Deck Flashcards
(164 cards)
1
Q
What is the definition of movement in living organisms?
A
An action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place.
2
Q
Define respiration in the context of living organisms.
A
Chemical reactions in cells that breakdown nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism.
3
Q
What does sensitivity refer to in living organisms?
A
The ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment.
4
Q
What is growth defined as in living organisms?
A
A permanent increase in size and dry mass.
5
Q
What is reproduction in the context of living organisms?
A
Processes that make more of the same kind of organism.
6
Q
What is excretion in living organisms?
A
The removal of the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements.
7
Q
Define nutrition in the context of living organisms.
A
The taking in of materials for energy, growth, and development.
8
Q
What is a species?
A
A group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring.
9
Q
What is the binomial system of naming species?
A
An internationally agreed system where the scientific name of an organism is made up of two parts: genus and species.
10
Q
What are dichotomous keys used for?
A
To classify organisms based on identifiable features.
11
Q
What do classification systems aim to reflect?
A
Evolutionary relationships among organisms.
12
Q
What is the significance of DNA sequences in classification?
A
Groups of organisms that share a more recent ancestor have more similar base sequences in DNA.
13
Q
What are the main kingdoms of living organisms?
A
- Animal
- Plant
- Fungus
- Prokaryote
- Protoctist
14
Q
List the main groups of vertebrates.
A
- Mammals
- Birds
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- Fish
15
Q
What structures are typically found in a plant cell?
A
- Cell wall
- Cell membrane
- Nucleus
- Cytoplasm
- Chloroplasts
- Ribosomes
- Mitochondria
- Vacuoles
16
Q
What is the structure of a bacterial cell?
A
- Cell wall
- Cell membrane
- Cytoplasm
- Ribosomes
- Circular DNA
- Plasmids
17
Q
What is the formula for magnification?
A
Magnification = image size / actual size.
18
Q
Describe diffusion.
A
The net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
19
Q
What is osmosis?
A
The diffusion of water through partially permeable membranes.
20
Q
What is active transport?
A
The movement of particles through a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, using energy from respiration.
21
Q
What are the chemical elements that make up carbohydrates?
A
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
22
Q
What is the structure of a DNA molecule?
A
Two strands coiled together to form a double helix, with bases that pair up in a specific manner.
23
Q
What is photosynthesis?
A
The process by which plants synthesize carbohydrates from raw materials using energy from light.
24
Q
State the word equation for photosynthesis.
A
Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen.
25
What is a balanced diet?
A diet that contains the right proportions of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.
26
What are the functions of the digestive system?
* Ingestion
* Digestion
* Absorption
* Assimilation
* Egestion
27
What is physical digestion?
The breakdown of food into smaller pieces without chemical change to the food molecules.
28
What are the types of human teeth?
* Incisors
* Canines
* Premolars
* Molars
29
What is digestion?
The breakdown of food into smaller pieces without chemical change to the food molecules
30
What is the role of physical digestion?
Increases the surface area of food for the action of enzymes in chemical digestion
31
Identify the types of human teeth.
* Incisors
* Canines
* Premolars
* Molars
32
Describe the structure of human teeth.
* Enamel
* Dentine
* Pulp
* Nerves
* Blood vessels
* Cement
33
What is the function of incisors?
Cutting food
34
What is the function of canines?
Tearing food
35
What is the function of premolars?
Crushing and grinding food
36
What is the function of molars?
Crushing and grinding food
37
What is the role of the stomach in digestion?
Physical digestion of food
38
What is bile's role in digestion?
Emulsifies fats and oils to increase the surface area for chemical digestion
39
Define chemical digestion.
The breakdown of large insoluble molecules into small soluble molecules
40
What is the role of amylase?
Breaks down starch to simple reducing sugars
41
What do proteases do?
Break down protein into amino acids
42
What is the function of lipase?
Breaks down fats and oils to fatty acids and glycerol
43
Where is amylase secreted?
In saliva and the pancreas
44
Where is protease secreted?
In the stomach and pancreas
45
Where is lipase secreted?
In the pancreas
46
What does hydrochloric acid do in gastric juice?
* Kills harmful microorganisms in food
* Provides an acidic pH for optimum enzyme activity
47
Describe the digestion of starch.
* Amylase breaks down starch to maltose
* Maltase breaks down maltose to glucose on the membranes of the epithelium lining the small intestine
48
Describe the digestion of protein by proteases.
* Pepsin breaks down protein in the acidic conditions of the stomach
* Trypsin breaks down protein in the alkaline conditions of the small intestine
49
What is the significance of villi and microvilli in the small intestine?
Increase the internal surface area for absorption of nutrients
50
What are the functions of capillaries and lacteals in villi?
* Capillaries - absorb nutrients into the bloodstream
* Lacteals - absorb fatty acids and glycerol into the lymphatic system
51
What are the functions of xylem and phloem?
* Xylem - transport of water and mineral ions, and support
* Phloem - transport of sucrose and amino acids
52
Describe the structure of xylem vessels.
* Thick walls with lignin
* No cell contents
* Cells joined end to end with no cross walls to form a long continuous tube
53
What is the pathway of water uptake in a plant?
* Root hair cells
* Root cortex cells
* Xylem
* Mesophyll cells
54
What is transpiration?
The loss of water vapor from leaves
55
What factors affect the rate of transpiration?
* Temperature
* Wind speed
* Humidity
56
What is translocation in plants?
The movement of sucrose and amino acids in phloem from sources to sinks
57
What is the function of the circulatory system?
A system of blood vessels with a pump and valves to ensure one-way flow of blood
58
What is the difference between single and double circulation?
* Single circulation - blood passes through the heart once in a complete circuit
* Double circulation - blood passes through the heart twice
59
What structures are identified in the mammalian heart?
* Muscular wall
* Septum
* Left and right ventricles
* Left and right atria
* One-way valves
* Coronary arteries
60
What are the components of blood?
* Red blood cells
* White blood cells
* Platelets
* Plasma
61
What is the function of red blood cells?
Transporting oxygen, including the role of hemoglobin
62
What is the role of phagocytes?
Engulfing pathogens by phagocytosis
63
What is active immunity?
Defense against a pathogen by antibody production in the body
64
What is the process of vaccination?
* Weakened pathogens or their antigens are put into the body
* Antigens stimulate an immune response by lymphocytes which produce antibodies
* Memory cells are produced that give long-term immunity
65
What is passive immunity?
Short-term defense against a pathogen by antibodies acquired from another individual
66
What is the significance of breast-feeding for infants?
Development of passive immunity
67
What are the features of gas exchange surfaces in humans?
* Large surface area
* Thin surface
* Good blood supply
* Good ventilation with air
68
What is aerobic respiration?
Chemical reactions in cells that use oxygen to breakdown nutrient molecules to release energy
69
State the word equation for aerobic respiration.
Glucose + Oxygen -> Carbon Dioxide + Water
70
What is anaerobic respiration?
Chemical reactions in cells that breakdown nutrient molecules to release energy without using oxygen
71
What is the word equation for anaerobic respiration in yeast?
Glucose -> Alcohol + Carbon Dioxide
72
What are the excretion organs in humans?
* Lungs (for carbon dioxide)
* Kidneys (for urea, excess water, and ions)
73
What is excretion in humans?
The process of removing waste products from the body.
74
Which organ excretes carbon dioxide?
Lungs
75
What do the kidneys excrete?
Urea, excess water, and ions
76
Identify the structures of the urinary system.
* Kidneys
* Ureters
* Bladder
* Urethra
77
What is the role of the glomerulus in a nephron?
Filtration from the blood of water, glucose, urea, and ions
78
What is the function of a nephron?
Reabsorption of glucose, some ions, and most water back into the blood
79
What is formed in the nephron?
Urine containing urea, excess water, and excess ions
80
How does the liver assist in amino acid assimilation?
By converting amino acids to proteins
81
Where is urea formed?
In the liver from excess amino acids
82
Define deamination.
The removal of the nitrogen-containing part of amino acids to form urea
83
Why is excretion important?
To reduce the toxicity of urea
84
What constitutes the central nervous system (CNS)?
* Brain
* Spinal cord
85
What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
Nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord
86
What is a reflex action?
An automatic and rapid response to stimuli
87
What is a synapse?
A junction between two neurones
88
What happens at a synapse?
* An impulse stimulates the release of neurotransmitter molecules
* Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic gap
* They bind with receptor proteins on the next neurone
* An impulse is then stimulated in the next neurone
89
True or False: Synapses ensure that impulses travel in both directions.
False
90
What are sense organs?
Groups of receptor cells responding to specific stimuli
91
Identify the main parts of the eye.
* Cornea
* Iris
* Pupil
* Lens
* Retina
* Optic nerve
* Blind spot
92
What is the function of the iris?
Controls how much light enters the pupil
93
What is accommodation in the eye?
The adjustment of the lens to focus on near and distant objects
94
What is gravitropism?
A response where parts of a plant grow towards or away from gravity
95
What is phototropism?
A response where parts of a plant grow towards or away from the direction of light
96
What is a hormone?
A chemical substance produced by a gland and carried by the blood, altering the activity of target organs
97
What hormone is secreted by the adrenal glands?
Adrenaline
98
What is the role of insulin?
Decreases blood glucose concentration
99
Define homeostasis.
The maintenance of a constant internal environment
100
What is the role of glucagon?
Secreted by the pancreas to increase blood glucose concentration
101
What is asexual reproduction?
A process resulting in genetically identical offspring from one parent
102
What is sexual reproduction?
Involves the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes to form a zygote
103
What structures are involved in the male reproductive system?
* Testes
* Scrotum
* Sperm ducts
* Prostate gland
* Urethra
* Penis
104
What are the adaptive features of sperm?
* Flagellum
* Mitochondria
* Enzymes in the acrosome
105
What is the function of the placenta?
Exchange of dissolved nutrients, gases, and excretory products between mother and fetus
106
What is a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
An infection transmitted through sexual contact
107
What are chromosomes made of?
DNA
108
Define a gene.
A length of DNA that codes for a protein
109
What is meiosis?
A reduction division resulting in genetically different cells
110
What is the result of mitosis?
Genetically identical cells
111
What is a haploid nucleus?
A nucleus containing a single set of chromosomes
112
What is a diploid nucleus?
A nucleus containing two sets of chromosomes
113
What occurs before mitosis?
Exact replication of chromosomes
114
What happens to copies of chromosomes during mitosis?
They separate, maintaining the chromosome number in each daughter cell
115
Define stem cells.
Unspecialised cells that divide by mitosis to produce daughter cells that can become specialised for specific functions
116
What is meiosis involved in?
The production of gametes
117
Describe meiosis.
A reduction division in which the chromosome number is halved from diploid to haploid, resulting in genetically different cells
118
Define inheritance.
The transmission of genetic information from generation to generation
119
What is genotype?
The genetic make-up of an organism in terms of the alleles present
120
What is phenotype?
The observable features of an organism
121
Define homozygous.
Having two identical alleles of a particular gene
122
What happens when two identical homozygous individuals breed together?
They will be pure-breeding
123
Define heterozygous.
Having two different alleles of a particular gene
124
Will a heterozygous individual be pure-breeding?
No
125
What is a dominant allele?
An allele that is expressed if it is present in the genotype
126
What is a recessive allele?
An allele that is only expressed when there is no dominant allele of the gene present in the genotype
127
What can be interpreted from pedigree diagrams?
The inheritance of a given characteristic
128
What is a monohybrid cross?
A genetic diagram used to predict the results of monohybrid crosses and calculate phenotypic ratios
129
What is codominance?
A situation in which both alleles in heterozygous organisms contribute to the phenotype
130
What are the phenotypes of ABO blood groups?
A, B, AB, and O blood groups
131
Describe a sex-linked characteristic.
A feature in which the gene responsible is located on a sex chromosome, making the characteristic more common in one sex than the other
132
What is an example of sex linkage?
Red-green color blindness
133
Define variation.
Differences between individuals of the same species
134
What results in continuous variation?
A range of phenotypes between two extremes
135
What results in discontinuous variation?
A limited number of phenotypes with no intermediates
136
What usually causes discontinuous variation?
Genes only
137
What causes continuous variation?
Both genes and the environment
138
What is mutation?
The way in which new alleles are formed
139
What increases the rate of mutation?
Ionising radiation and some chemicals
140
What is gene mutation?
A random change in the base sequence of DNA
141
What are sources of genetic variation in populations?
* Mutation
* Meiosis
* Random mating
* Random fertilisation
142
What is an adaptive feature?
An inherited feature that helps an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment
143
What is natural selection?
The process where individuals that are better adapted to the environment have a greater chance of reproduction
144
What is selective breeding?
Selection by humans of individuals with desirable features to produce the next generation
145
What is adaptation?
The process by which populations become more suited to their environment over many generations
146
What is a food chain?
A sequence showing the transfer of energy from one organism to the next, beginning with a producer
147
What is a food web?
A network of interconnected food chains
148
Define a producer.
An organism that makes its own organic nutrients, usually using energy from sunlight through photosynthesis
149
Define a consumer.
An organism that gets its energy by feeding on other organisms
150
What are the classifications of consumers in a food chain?
* Primary
* Secondary
* Tertiary
* Quaternary
151
What is a herbivore?
An animal that gets its energy by eating plants
152
What is a carnivore?
An animal that gets its energy by eating other animals
153
What is a decomposer?
An organism that gets its energy from dead or waste organic material
154
What is a trophic level?
The position of an organism in a food chain, food web, or ecological pyramid
155
What is the carbon cycle?
The process involving photosynthesis, respiration, feeding, decomposition, formation of fossil fuels, and combustion
156
What is the nitrogen cycle?
* Decomposition of plant and animal proteins into ammonium ions
* Nitrification
* Nitrogen fixation by lightning and bacteria
* Absorption of nitrate ions by plants
* Production of amino acids and proteins
* Feeding and digestion of proteins
* Deamination
* Denitrification
157
What is biodiversity?
The number of different species that live in an area
158
What are some reasons for habitat destruction?
* Increased area for housing
* Crop plant production
* Livestock production
* Extraction of natural resources
* Freshwater and marine pollution
159
What are the effects of untreated sewage and excess fertiliser on aquatic ecosystems?
Negative impacts including eutrophication
160
What is eutrophication?
The process involving increased availability of nitrate and other ions leading to increased growth of producers and subsequent reduction in dissolved oxygen
161
What is a sustainable resource?
One which is produced as rapidly as it is removed from the environment so that it does not run out
162
What are some advantages of conservation programs?
* Maintaining or increasing biodiversity
* Reducing extinction
* Protecting vulnerable ecosystems
* Maintaining ecosystem functions
163
What is genetic modification?
Changing the genetic material of an organism by removing, changing, or inserting individual genes
164
What role do bacteria play in biotechnology?
Useful due to their rapid reproduction rate and ability to make complex molecules
