Biology Regents Flashcards

Variables in Experiments

• Independent Variable: Tested variable on the x-axis.
• Dependent Variable: Measured variable on the y-axis.

Compounds and Biological Molecules

• Organic Compounds: Contain carbon-hydrogen bonds; larger than inorganic compounds.
• Inorganic Compounds: Do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds.

Biological Macromolecules

• Carbohydrates: Include sugars and starches, primarily composed of glucose; supply energy.
• Lipids: Organic compounds for energy storage; encompass fats, oils, waxes, steroids, and phospholipids.
• Proteins: Essential for organism function; made of peptide chains; structure impacts function.
• Enzymes: Proteins that serve as organic catalysts necessary for chemical reactions.

pH Levels

• Acid: pH range of 0-6.
• Neutral: pH of 7.
• Base: pH range of 8-14.

Homeostasis and Metabolism

• Homeostasis: Organism's balanced internal state.
• Dynamic Equilibrium: Achieved by organism's corrective actions when balance is disturbed (e.g., sweating).
• Metabolism: Encompasses all life processes within an organism.

Molecular Movement

• Diffusion: Movement from high to low concentration.
• Active Transport: Movement from low to high concentration, requiring energy.
• Osmosis: Water diffusion in and out of cells.

Nutrition and Energy

• Autotrophs: Organisms that synthesize their own food.
• Heterotrophs: Organisms that consume other organisms.
• Photosynthesis: Process by which plants convert sunlight into sugar; occurs in chloroplasts.

Key Photosynthetic Components

• Chloroplast: Site of photosynthesis in green plants and algae.
• Chlorophyll: Pigment that captures light energy for photosynthesis.
• Stomata: Pores on leaf undersides for gas exchange (CO2 and O2).
• Guard Cells: Control stomata opening/closing to prevent dehydration.

Plant Transport Systems

• Xylem and Phloem: Tissues that transport nutrients and water throughout plants.

Cellular Processes

• Cellular Respiration: Converts energy from sugar to ATP.
• ATP: Energy currency for all living organisms.
• Aerobic Respiration: Requires oxygen; produces more ATP.
• Anaerobic Respiration: Does not require oxygen; results in lactic acid.
• Fermentation: Terms synonymous with anaerobic respiration.
• Glycolysis: Initial stage of respiration; glucose breaks down into pyruvate.
• Krebs Cycle: Converts pyruvate into carbon dioxide in aerobic respiration.
• Electron Transport Chain: Final step in aerobic respiration, producing the majority of ATP.
• Mitochondria: Organelles where cellular respiration occurs.

Additional Life Processes

• Nutrition: Involves use of nutrients for growth, repair, and energy.