Biology Midterm Study Guide Flashcards
What are the steps of the scientific method?
Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Collection, Conclusion, Communication of Results
Science vs Engineering
Science focuses on understanding natural phenomenon well engineering focuses on creating solutions using that understanding
Claim
a statement or conclusion answering a question
Evidence
Data supporting the claim
Reasoning
explanation of how the evidence supports the claim
Independent Variable
The factor you change
Dependent variable
The factor you measure
DRY Mix
D- dependent variable on Y-axis
M- manipulated (independent) variable is on the x axis
Constant
Factors kept the same across experiments
Control Group
the baseline group for comparison not exposed to the experiment
Qualitative
decriptive data (colors, texture)
Quantitive
numerical data (height, weight)
Biology
the study of life and living organisms
8 characteristics of Living organism
Made of cells, use energy, respond to stimuli, grow, reproduce, adapt, maintain homeostasis, and have a metabolism
Structure of a Coral
hard skeleton made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
Reproduction of a Coral
both sexual (spawning) and asexual (fragmentation)
Importance of the Corals
essential for marine biodiversity
Threats to Corals
Coral Bleaching, Ocean acidification, pollution.
Homeostasis
The ability of an organism to maintain stable internal conditions despite changes in external conditions.
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃)
A chemical compound found in corals, responsible for their hard skeletons.
Coral Bleaching
A phenomenon where corals lose their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae), often due to stress from factors like increased water temperature, leading to a loss of color and potential coral death.
Ocean Acidification
The decrease in the pH of the ocean caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere.
Fragmentation
A form of asexual reproduction where a coral breaks into smaller pieces, each of which can grow into a new individual.
Spawning
The release of eggs and sperm into the water by corals (and other organisms) for external fertilization
Symbiosis
A close, long-term interaction between two different species, which can be mutualistic, parasitic, or commensal.
Ecology
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
Biotic
Living components (animals, plants)
Abiotic
Non-living components (temperature, water)
Habitat
Where an organism lives.
Niche
The role an organism plays in its ecosystem
Symbiosis
Close interaction between species.
Mutualism
Both benefit
Parasitism
One benefits, the other is harmed
Commensalism
One benefits, the other is unaffected
Predation
One organism (predator) eats another (prey).
Competition
Organisms vie for the same resources.
Biodiversity
Variety of life; important for ecosystem resilienc
HIPPCO
Habitat Destruction
Invasive Species
Pollution
Population Growth
Climate Change
Overexploitation
Generalist
Can thrive in a variety of environments (e.g., raccoons).
Specialist
Thrive in specific conditions (e.g., pandas).
Autotroph
Organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants).
Heterotroph
Organisms that consume other organisms (e.g., animals).
Trophic Levels
Levels in a food chain (producers, consumers, decomposers).
10% Rule
Only 10% of energy is passed to the next trophic level.
Water Cycle
Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation
Runoff
Transpiration
Sublimation
Aquifer
Carbon Cycle
Photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, fossil fuels.
Human Impact in the Water and Carbon Cycles
Pollution, deforestation.
Invasive Species
Non-native species that harm ecosystems (e.g., Cane Toad in Australia).
Keystone Species
Species that have a large impact on their ecosystem (e.g., wolves in Yellowstone).
Evaporation
The process where water changes from liquid to gas (vapor) due to heat.
Precipitation
Water released from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Condensation
The process where water vapor cools and changes back into liquid droplets, forming clouds.
Runoff
Water that flows over the surface of the land into bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and oceans
Photosynthesis
The movement of water through soil and porous rock into underground reservoirs.
Infiltration
The process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil.
Aquifer
An underground layer of rock or sediment that holds water.
Photosynthesis
The process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and water to produce glucose (sugar) and oxygen.
Respiration
The process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, releasing carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a byproduct.
Sedimentation
The process by which particles settle to the bottom of a liquid, forming layers of sediment.
Fossil Fuels
Natural fuels formed from the remains of ancient organisms (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas).
Combustion
The process of burning fossil fuels, releasing energy, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and water vapor.
Extraction
The process of removing fossil fuels from the Earth for human use.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
A greenhouse gas produced by respiration, combustion, and decomposition, contributing to global warming.
Fertilizers
Substances added to soil to provide nutrients for plant growth, but can lead to water pollution if used excessively.
Covalent Bond
Atoms share electrons.
Hydrogen Bond
Weaker bond, occurs between water molecules due to partial charges.
Transpiration
Plants release water vapor.
Percolation
Water filters into groundwater.
Human Impact on the Water Cycle
Pollution and deforestation disrupt the cycle.
Polarity
Water has slight positive and negative charges, attracting other molecules.
Universal Solvent
Water dissolves many substances.
Surface Tension
Water molecules create a “film” on surfaces.
Cohesion
the action or fact of forming a united whole
Adhesion
the action or process of adhering to a surface or object.
Density of Ice
Ice is less dense, so it floats.
Specific Heat
Water absorbs heat slowly, stabilizing environments.
Importance of Carbon
Carbon forms the backbone of all living organisms
Cellular Respiration
Releases carbon dioxide (CO₂)
Decomposition
Dead organisms return carbon to the environment
Fossilization
Dead material becomes fossil fuels
Combustion
Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂.
Major Macromolecules
Elements
Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur (CNOPS).
Carbohydrates
Provide energy; found in sugars and starches.
Lipids
Store energy, make up cell membranes (fats and oils).
Proteins
Build body structures, speed up reactions.
Nucleic Acids
DNA and RNA store genetic info.
Kwashiorkor
Protein deficiency.
Scurvy
Vitamin C deficiency.
Diabetes
Blood sugar imbalance.
High Blood Pressure
Linked to high salt/fat.
Obesity
From excess calorie intake
Enzymes
speed up chemical reactions
Examples of Enzymes
Lactase (breaks down lactose), Pepsin (digests protein), Amylase (breaks down carbs).
Example of Enzymes for Labs during class
Catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide; bromelain breaks down proteins in jello.
Monomer
Small building blocks of a larger structure
Polymer
larger structure of small building blocks
Saturated Fat
a type of fat containing a high proportion of fatty acid molecules without double bonds, considered to be less healthy in the diet than unsaturated fat
Unsaturated Fat
a type of fat containing a high proportion of fatty acid molecules with at least one double bond, considered to be healthier in the diet than saturated fat.
Amino Acid
Building block of proteins.
Nucleotide
Building block of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA).
Hydrolysis
Water breaks down molecules
Dehydration Synthesis
Water is removed to join molecules.
What are two Biogeochemical Cycles
Water Cycle and Carbon Cycle
