Biology Chapters 1-9 Flashcards

Key Biological Terms and Concepts

• Manipulated Variable: The deliberately changed variable in an experiment, essential for testing hypotheses.

• Homeostasis: The process by which biological systems maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.

• Atoms: The smallest unit of an element, serving as the fundamental building blocks of all matter.

• Element: A substance made entirely of one type of atom, characterized by a distinct set of properties.

• Isotope: Variants of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

• Covalent Bond: A chemical bond formed when two atoms share electrons, contributing to molecule stability.

• Ionic Bond: A chemical bond resulting from the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, leading to charged ions.

• Acidic Solutions: Solutions with a higher concentration of H+ ions, resulting in a pH less than 7.

• Basic Solutions: Solutions with a lower concentration of H+ ions (more OH-), yielding a pH greater than 7.

• Solute: The substance that is dissolved in a liquid to form a solution.

• Solvent: The liquid that dissolves the solute, creating a solution.

Biological Macromolecules

• Carbohydrates: Organic compounds that serve as primary energy sources and structural components for cells.
• Lipids: Organic molecules used for energy storage and regulating cellular functions.
• Nucleic Acids: Compounds that store and transmit genetic information (e.g., DNA and RNA).
• Proteins: Complex compounds that regulate cellular processes and catalyze biochemical reactions.

Sugar and Amino Acids

• Polysaccharides: Large carbohydrate molecules formed from many monosaccharides, crucial for energy storage and structural integrity.

• Monosaccharide: Simple sugars, the fundamental building blocks of carbohydrates and a quick energy source.

• Amino Acid: Organic compounds containing an amino group and a carboxyl group, linked together to form proteins.

• Enzymes: Proteins that function as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions without being consumed.

• Catalyst: A substance that increases the reaction rate of a chemical process.

Ecology and Environmental Science

• Ecology: The scientific exploration of relationships between organisms and their environment.

• Biosphere: The global sum of all ecosystems, the zone of life on Earth.

• Species: Groups of similar organisms capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.

• Population: Groups of individuals from the same species inhabiting a particular area.

• Community: Assemblage of different populations coexisting in a defined area.

• Ecosystem: The integration of all living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.

• Greenhouse Effect: Atmospheric phenomenon where greenhouse gases trap heat, influencing climate patterns.

• Biotic Factors: Living components, such as plants and animals, that impact ecosystems.

• Abiotic Factors: Non-living chemical and physical elements, such as temperature and water, affecting organisms.

• Ecological Succession: Gradual process of change and replacement in community structures over time.

• Biodiversity: The variety of life forms within a given habitat, essential for ecosystem stability.

Cellular Biology

• Prokaryotes: Simple, unicellular organisms without internal membranes, possessing DNA in their cytoplasm.

• Eukaryotes: Larger cells with a nucleus and organelles, can be unicellular or multicellular.

• Nuclear Envelope: Membrane that encases the nucleus, protecting genetic material.

• Nucleolus: Organelle responsible for ribosome assembly within the nucleus.

• Ribosomes: Sites of protein synthesis, abundant in cells.

• Endoplasmic Reticulum: Network of membranes facilitating the synthesis and transport of cellular materials.

• Golgi Apparatus: Organelle involved in processing, modifying, and packaging proteins and lipids.

• Lysosome: Organelle containing enzymes for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris.