Biology Vocabulary Flashcards

Biological Compounds

Carbohydrates: Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; they serve as a major energy source for the body.
Proteins: Macromolecules including carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen; essential for growth, repair, and enzyme production.
Amino Acids: Building blocks of proteins, containing carboxyl and amino groups.
Lipids: Macromolecules primarily made of carbon and hydrogen; includes fats, oils, and waxes, important for energy storage.
Nucleic Acids: Organic compounds (RNA and DNA) composed of nucleotides, responsible for genetic information storage.

Cellular Structures

Cells: Basic structural and functional units of all organisms.
Organelles: Specialized structures within eukaryotic cells responsible for specific functions.
Nucleus: Contains DNA and RNA, crucial for cell growth and reproduction.
Cell Membrane: A semipermeable barrier regulating entry and exit of substances in and out of the cell.
Cytoplasm: Jelly-like fluid where organelles reside and cellular processes occur.

Membrane Functions and Transport

Semipermeable: Describes cell membranes allowing selective passage of molecules.
Diffusion: Movement of molecules from high to low concentration; plays a key role in cellular processes.
Osmosis: Diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane, equilibrating concentrations on both sides.
Concentration Gradient: Variation in substance concentration across a distance, driving diffusion and osmosis.
Passive vs. Active Transport: Passive transport occurs without energy, while active transport requires energy to move substances against their gradient.

Chemical Processes and Reactions

Metabolism: All chemical processes in organisms essential for life.
Chemical Reactions: Conversions of reactants to products involving bond breaking and formation.
Enzymes: Catalysts made of proteins, essential for biochemical reactions; work by lowering activation energy.
Exothermic vs. Endothermic Reactions: Exothermic releases heat; endothermic absorbs heat.

Energy Production and Utilization

Glycolysis: Process breaking down carbohydrates for energy, producing pyruvic or lactic acid, and yielding ATP.
Cellular Respiration: Metabolic processes that convert organic molecules into energy, can be aerobic (with oxygen) or anaerobic (without oxygen).
Photosynthesis: Conversion of light energy to chemical energy in plants using carbon dioxide and water.

Evolution and Classification

Taxonomy: Study of organism classification based on specific traits; includes species, genus, and family levels.
Natural Selection: Mechanism of evolution where organisms better suited to their environment survive and reproduce.
Species vs. Genus: A species is a group that can interbreed, while a genus contains one or more species.
Vestigial Structures: Body parts reduced in size and function but present in an organism, reflecting evolutionary history.

Genetics and Molecular Biology

DNA Replication: Process of copying DNA before cell division.
Gene Regulation: Mechanisms controlling gene expression; involves operons in prokaryotes.
Cloning: Generating identical copies of organisms or genes.
Human Genome Project: Collaborative effort mapping and sequencing the complete human DNA.

Homeostasis and Regulatory Processes

Homeostasis: Biological processes maintaining stable internal conditions in an organism.
Buffers: Substances that minimize pH changes in biological systems, aiding in homeostasis.
Reproduction and Growth: Processes by which organisms produce new individuals and increase in size.

Important Figures in Biology

Aristotle: Prominent philosopher contributing to early biological concepts and classifications.
Linnaeus: Developed the modern system of biological nomenclature, classifying biodiversity.

Miscellaneous Terms

Abiogenesis vs. Biogenesis: Abiogenesis refers to the origin of life from non-living matter; biogenesis states life arises from existing life.
Coevolution: The process where species influence each other's evolution through selective pressures.

These notes provide an extensive overview of key biological concepts, structures, and processes essential for understanding the functioning of life forms and their classification.