Questions and Answers
Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that results in large changes to a population's gene pool.
False
What is the primary function of the mitochondria in a cell?
generate energy for the cell through cellular respiration
The process of _______________ is the conversion of light energy into chemical energy in cells.
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Match the following organ systems with their functions:
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Homeostasis is the ability of an organism to change its internal environment in response to external changes.
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What is the term for the study of heredity, genes, and genetic variation?
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What is the primary mechanism of evolution that results in the survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits?
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The _______________ system is responsible for regulating hormones and bodily functions in an organism.
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What type of ecosystem is a coral reef?
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Study Notes
Ecosystems
- Definition: A community of living and non-living components interacting with each other in a specific environment
- Components:
- Biotic factors: living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms)
- Abiotic factors: non-living components (water, air, soil, sunlight)
- Types of ecosystems:
- Terrestrial (land-based): forests, grasslands, deserts
- Freshwater: rivers, lakes, wetlands
- Marine: oceans, coral reefs
- Artificial: agricultural fields, urban areas
- Energy flow:
- Producers (plants, algae): convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis
- Consumers (herbivores, carnivores): obtain energy by consuming other organisms
- Decomposers (microorganisms): break down organic matter into nutrients
Genetics
- Definition: the study of heredity, genes, and genetic variation
- Key concepts:
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): molecule containing genetic information
- Genes: segments of DNA that code for specific traits
- Alleles: different forms of a gene
- Genotype: genetic makeup of an individual
- Phenotype: physical expression of an individual's genotype
- Inheritance patterns:
- Mendelian inheritance: laws of inheritance discovered by Gregor Mendel
- Dominant and recessive alleles
- Punnett squares: tool for predicting genotype and phenotype probabilities
Evolution
- Definition: the process of change in the characteristics of a species over time
- Mechanisms:
- Natural selection: survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits
- Genetic drift: random changes in gene frequency
- Mutation: changes in DNA sequence
- Gene flow: movement of genes between populations
- Evidence for evolution:
- Fossil record: preserved remains of ancient organisms
- Comparative anatomy: similarities and homologies between species
- Molecular biology: similarities in DNA and protein sequences
- Biogeography: geographic distribution of species
Cell Biology
- Definition: the study of the structure, function, and behavior of cells
- Cell components:
- Cell membrane: permeable membrane surrounding the cell
- Cytoplasm: gel-like substance inside the cell membrane
- Nucleus: contains genetic material (DNA)
- Mitochondria: generate energy for the cell through cellular respiration
- Endoplasmic reticulum: involved in protein synthesis and transport
- Cellular processes:
- Cell division: mitosis (somatic cells) and meiosis (gametes)
- Photosynthesis: conversion of light energy into chemical energy
- Cellular respiration: generation of energy from glucose
Physiology
- Definition: the study of the functions and processes that occur within living organisms
- Organ systems:
- Nervous system: control and coordination of body functions
- Circulatory system: transport of oxygen and nutrients to cells
- Respiratory system: exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
- Digestive system: breakdown and absorption of nutrients
- Endocrine system: regulation of hormones and bodily functions
- Homeostasis: maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes
- Feedback mechanisms: negative feedback loops to maintain homeostasis
Ecosystems
- A community of living and non-living components interacting with each other in a specific environment
- Biotic factors include living organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms
- Abiotic factors include non-living components like water, air, soil, and sunlight
- Terrestrial ecosystems include forests, grasslands, and deserts
- Freshwater ecosystems include rivers, lakes, and wetlands
- Marine ecosystems include oceans and coral reefs
- Artificial ecosystems include agricultural fields and urban areas
- Producers convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis
- Consumers obtain energy by consuming other organisms
- Decomposers break down organic matter into nutrients
Genetics
- The study of heredity, genes, and genetic variation
- DNA is a molecule containing genetic information
- Genes are segments of DNA that code for specific traits
- Alleles are different forms of a gene
- Genotype is the genetic makeup of an individual
- Phenotype is the physical expression of an individual's genotype
- Mendelian inheritance involves laws of inheritance discovered by Gregor Mendel
- Dominant and recessive alleles determine the expression of traits
- Punnett squares are used to predict genotype and phenotype probabilities
Evolution
- The process of change in the characteristics of a species over time
- Natural selection involves the survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits
- Genetic drift involves random changes in gene frequency
- Mutation involves changes in DNA sequence
- Gene flow involves the movement of genes between populations
- The fossil record provides evidence of evolution through preserved remains of ancient organisms
- Comparative anatomy reveals similarities and homologies between species
- Molecular biology reveals similarities in DNA and protein sequences
- Biogeography shows the geographic distribution of species
Cell Biology
- The study of the structure, function, and behavior of cells
- The cell membrane is a permeable membrane surrounding the cell
- Cytoplasm is a gel-like substance inside the cell membrane
- The nucleus contains genetic material (DNA)
- Mitochondria generate energy for the cell through cellular respiration
- The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in protein synthesis and transport
- Cell division involves mitosis and meiosis
- Photosynthesis involves the conversion of light energy into chemical energy
- Cellular respiration generates energy from glucose
Physiology
- The study of the functions and processes that occur within living organisms
- The nervous system controls and coordinates body functions
- The circulatory system transports oxygen and nutrients to cells
- The respiratory system exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide
- The digestive system breaks down and absorbs nutrients
- The endocrine system regulates hormones and bodily functions
- Homeostasis involves the maintenance of a stable internal environment
- Feedback mechanisms involve negative feedback loops to maintain homeostasis
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Test your knowledge of ecosystems, including biotic and abiotic factors, types of ecosystems, and energy flow. Learn about the different components that make up an ecosystem and how they interact.