Biology Final Exam - Study Notes

Changes that occur within an organism's lifetime.

The process by which an organism's internal environment is maintained within a stable range.

A large molecule responsible for carrying genetic information in a cell.

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

The process by which cells break down glucose to release energy.

The green pigment found in plants that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

Organelle that captures light energy to convert it into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This process is called photosynthesis.

The molecule that provides energy for all cellular processes, such as muscle contraction, protein synthesis, and active transport.

A type of carbohydrate that provides structural support for plants. It is found in the cell walls of plants.

A chemical reaction that converts light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. It is used by plants to make their food.

The molecule that plants produce during photosynthesis and that humans use to breathe.

The variable that is changed or manipulated by the experimenter to test its effect on the dependent variable.

The variable that is measured or observed in an experiment. Its value is influenced by the independent variable.

The process that breaks down glucose and oxygen to produce energy in the form of ATP for cells.

The inputs of one process are the outputs of the other. Example: Photosynthesis produces glucose and oxygen, which are used as inputs for Cellular Respiration.

The side of a water molecule that is attracted to other water molecules due to the partial positive charge on hydrogen atoms.

The side of a water molecule that is attracted to other molecules due to more electrons and a partial negative charge.

The chemical bond that connects oxygen and hydrogen atoms in a water molecule. It is not found in water molecules.

The ability of a substance to stick to itself. Example: Water molecules bind to other water molecules, forming droplets.

The ability of a substance to stick to other substances. Example: Water molecules adhere to the glass of a beaker, causing a meniscus.

The process of cell division that creates two identical daughter cells from one parent cell. It's how organisms grow and repair tissues.

A type of macromolecule, primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They provide cells with energy, store energy, and make up structural components.

A complex macromolecule that helps cells with a huge range of functions, including structural support, transportation, and catalyzing reactions.

The organelle in a cell that breaks down glucose to generate cellular energy in the form of ATP.

The bond that holds water molecules together. It's a weak, but important, attraction between the positive end of one water molecule and the negative end of another.

Lipids are a group of organic compounds, including fats, oils, waxes, steroids, and phospholipids. They are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and are generally characterized by their insolubility in water. Lipids play important roles in energy storage, cell membrane structure, insulation, and hormone production.

Carbohydrates are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They are essential energy sources for living organisms and form structural components of plants and animals. Carbohydrates are classified into monosaccharides (simple sugars), disaccharides (two sugar units), and polysaccharides (complex chains of sugar units).

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and other photosynthetic organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with high chemical energy, such as sugars, from carbon dioxide and water. This process takes place in chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll, a pigment that absorbs light energy.

Light energy is captured by chlorophyll in the chloroplasts of plant cells. This absorbed energy is then used to power the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2).

Secondary pigments are pigments found in plants that absorb light energy in different wavelengths than chlorophyll. These pigments, such as carotenoids (orange and yellow) and anthocyanins (red and purple), are responsible for the colors seen in leaves during autumn. They can also contribute to photosynthesis, although less efficiently than chlorophyll.

The rate of photosynthesis decreases in the fall because chlorophyll breaks down, causing leaves to lose their green color. This is due to a decrease in sunlight and cooler temperatures, which affect the plant's ability to produce chlorophyll. Secondary pigments, which were previously masked by chlorophyll, become visible, giving leaves their autumn colors.

Plants obtain the energy needed for photosynthesis from sunlight. This light energy is captured by chlorophyll and used to power the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose, the primary energy source for the plant.