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Biology Flashcards

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Biology

50 flashcards

A cell is the fundamental structural and functional unit of life. It is the smallest unit of an organism that is classified as living.
The main components of a cell are the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus (in eukaryotic cells). Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus.
Prokaryotic cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles, while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier that separates the cell from its external environment and regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
The nucleus is the control center of the cell, containing the cell's genetic material (DNA) and regulating cellular activities like growth and metabolism.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the hereditary material that carries the genetic instructions for growth, development, and the functioning of living organisms.
The central dogma of molecular biology states that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to proteins, and not in reverse.
RNA (ribonucleic acid) is involved in the synthesis of proteins, carrying the genetic information transcribed from DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are assembled.
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed or altered by the reactions themselves.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy (glucose) using carbon dioxide and water.
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert the chemical energy in glucose and other nutrients into ATP, the energy currency of the cell.
Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, while meiosis is a specialized cell division that produces four genetically distinct daughter cells.
Chromosomes are thread-like structures found in the nucleus of cells that carry the genetic information (DNA) inherited from parents.
A gene is a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA that codes for a particular protein or functional RNA molecule, determining inherited traits.
Ribosomes are organelles in the cytoplasm that are the sites of protein synthesis, where amino acids are assembled into polypeptide chains based on the instructions from messenger RNA (mRNA).
Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food from inorganic sources, while heterotrophs are organisms that obtain their nutrients from other sources, such as by consuming other organisms or their byproducts.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the primary energy currency in cells, providing the energy required for many cellular processes, including metabolism, biosynthesis, and active transport.
Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells and some other photosynthetic organisms that are the sites of photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of flattened sacs and tubules in the cytoplasm that is involved in protein synthesis, folding, and transport, as well as lipid synthesis.
The Golgi apparatus is an organelle involved in the packaging, processing, and distribution of proteins and lipids synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles that contain digestive enzymes and are responsible for breaking down and recycling worn-out organelles, food particles, and other molecules within the cell.
Osmosis is the spontaneous movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration (lower solute concentration) to a region of lower water concentration (higher solute concentration).
Vacuoles in plant cells are large, membrane-bound organelles that store water, nutrients, waste products, and other materials, and help maintain the cell's turgor pressure and shape.
The cell wall is a rigid, semi-permeable structure surrounding the plasma membrane in plant cells that provides structural support, protection, and shape to the cell.
The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments (microtubules and microfilaments) in the cytoplasm that provides structural support, helps maintain cell shape, and plays a role in cell movement and intracellular transport.
Active transport requires energy (ATP) to move molecules against a concentration gradient, while passive transport (e.g., diffusion, osmosis) involves the movement of molecules down a concentration gradient without the input of energy.
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that regulate various physiological processes and maintain homeostasis in living organisms.
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes from two parents, producing genetically diverse offspring, while asexual reproduction involves a single parent, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.
The circulatory system is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, waste products, and hormones throughout the body, and plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis.
The respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the environment, facilitating the processes of cellular respiration and removing metabolic waste.
The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body for energy, growth, and repair.
The excretory system is responsible for removing metabolic waste products, excess water, and other substances from the body, maintaining homeostasis and preventing the buildup of toxic compounds.
The nervous system is responsible for coordinating and regulating the body's activities and responses to internal and external stimuli through electrical and chemical signals.
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that protects the body from foreign invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens, and helps maintain overall health.
Genetic factors are inherited traits determined by an individual's DNA, while environmental factors are external influences, such as diet, lifestyle, and exposure to various substances, that can impact an organism's phenotype.
Natural selection is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully, leading to the perpetuation of favorable traits in a population over successive generations.
Biodiversity, or the variety of living organisms within an ecosystem, is essential for maintaining the balance and sustainability of the environment, providing ecological services, and supporting human well-being.
A population is a group of organisms of the same species living in a particular area, while a community is composed of different populations of different species interacting with one another in the same habitat.
Ecosystems are functional units consisting of living organisms and their non-living environment, where energy flows and materials cycle to sustain life and maintain a balance.
The carbon cycle is the continuous exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, terrestrial environments, and living organisms, playing a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate and supporting life processes.
The genotype is an organism's genetic makeup or the set of genes it carries, while the phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics resulting from the interaction between the genotype and the environment.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to renew themselves and differentiate into various specialized cell types, playing a crucial role in development, tissue repair, and regenerative medicine.
Genetic engineering is the process of manipulating an organism's genetic material (DNA) to produce desired traits or characteristics, with applications in fields such as agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology.
Bioethics is the study of the ethical implications of biological research and applications, addressing issues such as genetic modification, cloning, stem cell research, and the use of animals in research, and providing guidelines for responsible scientific conduct.
Mitochondria are organelles known as the 'powerhouses' of the cell, as they are responsible for producing the majority of the cell's ATP through the process of cellular respiration.
The central dogma of molecular biology states that the flow of genetic information is from DNA to RNA to protein, and it is a one-way process.
The main components of a cell are the cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus (in eukaryotic cells), and various organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and ribosomes.
The primary function of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is to store and transmit genetic information from one generation to the next.
Ribosomes are organelles that are the site of protein synthesis, where they translate the genetic information from messenger RNA (mRNA) into functional proteins.
Mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, while meiosis is a process of cell division that produces four genetically different daughter cells with half the original number of chromosomes.