Chapter 5 - Biological Components Flashcards
1
Q
Define the term ‘alleles’.
A
Different forms of a gene that exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.
2
Q
What is ‘allopatric speciation’?
A
Speciation that occurs when populations are geographically isolated.
3
Q
What are ‘amino acids’?
A
Building blocks of proteins, consisting of an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a side chain.
4
Q
Define ‘anatomical isolation’.
A
A form of reproductive isolation where species are physically separated.
5
Q
What are ‘prokaryotes’?
A
Single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
6
Q
What is ‘artificial selection’?
A
The process by which humans breed organisms for desired traits.
7
Q
What is ‘asexual reproduction’?
A
A mode of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes.
8
Q
What does ‘ATP’ stand for?
A
Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy carrier in cells.
9
Q
Define ‘behavioral isolation’.
A
A reproductive isolation mechanism where differences in mating behavior prevent species from interbreeding.
10
Q
What is ‘binary fission’?
A
A form of asexual reproduction where a single organism divides into two identical organisms.
11
Q
What is ‘binomial nomenclature’?
A
A two-part naming system for organisms, consisting of the genus name and species epithet.
12
Q
Define ‘biochemical isolation’.
A
A mechanism of reproductive isolation based on biochemical differences.
13
Q
What is ‘carbon fixation’?
A
The process of converting inorganic carbon (CO2) into organic compounds by living organisms.
14
Q
What is the role of the ‘cell membrane’?
A
To protect the cell and regulate the movement of substances in and out.
15
Q
What is the function of the ‘cell wall’?
A
To provide structure and support to plant cells, bacteria, fungi, and some protists.
16
Q
What are ‘cells’?
A
The basic unit of life, consisting of cytoplasm enclosed within a membrane.
17
Q
What is ‘cellular respiration’?
A
The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.
18
Q
What are ‘chloroplasts’?
A
Organelles in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis.
19
Q
What are ‘chromosomes’?
A
Structures within cells that contain DNA and genetic information.
20
Q
Define ‘cilia’.
A
Hair-like structures that protrude from the surface of some eukaryotic cells, used for movement.
21
Q
What is ‘cladistics’?
A
A method of classifying organisms based on shared derived characteristics.
22
Q
What is a ‘cladogram’?
A
A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships between different species.
23
Q
What is ‘crossing over’?
A
The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.
24
Q
What is ‘cytokinesis’?
A
The process of cell division that results in the separation of the cytoplasm into two daughter cells.
25
What is 'cytoplasm'?
The jelly-like substance within a cell that contains organelles.
26
What is 'cytosol'?
The liquid part of the cytoplasm, excluding organelles and other insoluble components.
27
Define 'derived characteristics'.
Traits that are present in an organism but absent in its last common ancestor.
28
What is the 'diploid number'?
The total number of chromosomes in a somatic cell, represented as 2n.
29
What are 'disaccharides'?
Carbohydrates composed of two monosaccharides linked together.
30
What does 'DNA' stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic information.
31
What are the 'domains' of life?
Three major classifications: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.
32
What is the 'endoplasmic reticulum (ER)'?
An organelle involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
33
What are 'eubacteria'?
A domain of prokaryotic organisms that are characterized by their peptidoglycan cell walls.
34
What is 'Eukarya'?
A domain that includes all eukaryotic organisms.
35
What are 'eukaryotes'?
Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and organelles.
36
What are 'eukaryotic cells'?
Cells that have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
37
What is 'evolution'?
The change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.
38
Define 'fitness' in an evolutionary context.
The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.
39
What are 'flagella'?
Long, whip-like structures that aid in cell movement.
40
What are 'fungi'?
A kingdom of mostly multicellular eukaryotic organisms that absorb nutrients.
41
What are 'gametes'?
Reproductive cells (sperm and eggs) that unite during sexual reproduction.
42
Define 'gene pool'.
The total collection of genes in a population at any one time.
43
What is a 'gene'?
A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein or trait.
44
What is 'genetics'?
The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
45
What is 'glucose'?
A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms.
46
What is 'glycogen'?
A polysaccharide that serves as a form of energy storage in animals.
47
What is the function of the 'Golgi apparatus'?
To modify, sort, and package proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles.
48
What is 'habitat isolation'?
A form of reproductive isolation where species live in different habitats.
49
What is the 'haploid number'?
The number of chromosomes in a gamete, represented as n.
50
What are 'hybrids'?
Offspring resulting from the mating of individuals from different species.
51
Define 'isolating mechanism'.
Any factor that prevents species from mating and producing fertile offspring.
52
What is a 'kingdom' in biological classification?
A high-level taxonomic category that groups together related phyla.
53
What is 'lactose'?
A disaccharide sugar found in milk.
54
What are 'lipids'?
A diverse group of hydrophobic molecules, including fats, oils, and steroids.
55
What are 'macromolecules'?
Large molecules that are essential to biological functions, including carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.
56
What is 'meiosis'?
A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing haploid gametes.
57
What is 'mitosis'?
A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.
58
What is the 'modern synthetic theory of evolution'?
An integration of Darwin's theory of natural selection with genetics and molecular biology.
59
Define 'molecular biology'.
The study of biological processes at the molecular level.
60
What are 'monosaccharides'?
The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules.
61
What is 'natural selection'?
The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
62
What are 'nucleic acids'?
Biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information, including DNA and RNA.
63
What is the role of the 'nucleolus'?
To produce ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and assemble ribosome subunits.
64
What is a 'nucleotide'?
The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.
65
What is the 'nucleus'?
The membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell's genetic material.
66
What are 'organ systems'?
Groups of organs that work together to perform complex functions.
67
What are 'organelles'?
Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions.
68
What are 'organs'?
Structures composed of different types of tissues that perform specific functions.
69
What is 'phenetics'?
A classification system based on overall similarity rather than evolutionary relationships.
70
What is a 'phospholipid'?
A type of lipid that forms the bilayer of cell membranes.
71
What is 'photosynthesis'?
The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with carbon dioxide and water.
72
What is a 'phylogenetic tree'?
A diagram that represents the evolutionary relationships among various biological species.
73
What is 'phylogeny'?
The evolutionary history of a species or group of related species.
74
What are 'plants'?
Multicellular eukaryotic organisms that perform photosynthesis.
75
What is a 'polymer'?
A large molecule made up of repeating structural units (monomers).
76
What are 'polypeptides'?
Chains of amino acids that make up proteins.
77
What are 'polysaccharides'?
Carbohydrates composed of long chains of monosaccharides.
78
What are 'prokaryotic cells'?
Cells that do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles.
79
What is 'reproductive isolation'?
The inability of different species to produce viable offspring.
80
What are 'ribosomes'?
Cellular structures that synthesize proteins by translating messenger RNA.
81
What does 'RNA' stand for?
Ribonucleic acid, a molecule involved in protein synthesis and gene expression.
82
What is 'rough ER'?
The portion of the endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes for protein synthesis.
83
What is 'sexual dimorphism'?
The differences in appearance between male and female members of the same species.
84
What is 'sexual reproduction'?
A mode of reproduction that involves the fusion of male and female gametes.
85
What is 'smooth ER'?
The portion of the endoplasmic reticulum that is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.
86
What is 'speciation'?
The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
87
What is a 'species'?
A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
88
What is a 'species epithet'?
The second part of a species' scientific name in binomial nomenclature.
89
What is 'starch'?
A polysaccharide that serves as a storage form of energy in plants.
90
What are 'steroids'?
Lipids characterized by a carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings.
91
What is 'stroma'?
The fluid-filled space in chloroplasts where the Calvin cycle occurs.
92
What is 'sucrose'?
A disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose, commonly known as table sugar.
93
What are 'sugars'?
Simple carbohydrates that provide energy to living organisms.
94
What is 'taxonomy'?
The science of classifying and naming organisms.
95
What is 'temporal isolation'?
A reproductive isolation mechanism where species breed at different times.
96
What are 'thylakoids'?
Membrane-bound structures within chloroplasts where photosynthesis occurs.
97
What are 'tissues'?
Groups of similar cells that perform a specific function.
98
What are 'triglycerides'?
A type of lipid that serves as a major form of energy storage in animals.
99
What are 'zygotes'?
The fertilized egg formed by the union of sperm and egg.
100
What are the four types of macromolecules?
* Carbohydrates
* Lipids
* Proteins
* Nucleic acids.
101
Which type of proteins are most important in metabolism?
Enzymes.
102
Which specific polymer stores genetic information in cells?
DNA.
103
What are the two major types of cells?
* Prokaryotic
* Eukaryotic.
104
What are the basic organelles typically found in cells?
* Nucleus
* Mitochondria
* Endoplasmic reticulum
* Golgi apparatus.
105
Compare and contrast photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Photosynthesis converts solar energy into chemical energy, while cellular respiration breaks down glucose to release energy.
106
How do prokaryote and eukaryote cells reproduce?
Prokaryotes reproduce by binary fission; eukaryotes reproduce by mitosis or meiosis.
107
What are the levels of biological organization from smallest to largest?
* Cells
* Tissues
* Organs
* Organ systems
* Organisms.
108
What influenced Darwin's thoughts on evolution?
* Lyell's uniformitarianism
* Malthus' theory on population growth.
109
What are the four basic premises of natural selection?
* Variation exists
* Inheritance
* Differential survival
* Reproduction.
110
What are selective forces in Darwin’s theory?
Environmental factors that influence survival and reproduction.
111
How are random genetic change, natural selection, and evolution related?
Random genetic changes can lead to variations that natural selection acts upon, driving evolution.
112
How does the modern synthetic theory of evolution differ from Darwin’s original theory?
It incorporates genetics and molecular biology into the understanding of evolution.
113
Contrast the processes of asexual and sexual reproduction.
* Asexual: One parent, identical offspring
* Sexual: Two parents, genetically varied offspring.
114
How does genetic variation occur in sexual reproduction?
Through meiosis and the combination of gametes.
115
Why is genetic variation important?
It provides the raw material for natural selection.
116
Why is meiosis important in sexual reproduction?
It reduces chromosome number and increases genetic variation.
117
What is the modern definition of a 'species'?
A group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
118
What are the different types of reproductive isolating mechanisms?
* Temporal isolation
* Behavioral isolation
* Mechanical isolation
* Geographic isolation.
119
Describe the process of allopatric speciation.
Speciation that occurs when populations are geographically separated and evolve independently.
120
What are the eight taxonomic categories used in classification?
* Domain
* Kingdom
* Phylum
* Class
* Order
* Family
* Genus
* Species.
121
What is binomial nomenclature?
The system of naming organisms using two names: genus and species.
122
What are the three domains of living organisms?
* Archaea
* Bacteria
* Eukarya.
123
What are the four kingdoms of the Domain Eukarya?
* Animals
* Plants
* Fungi
* Protists.
124
How do phonetic and cladistics classification schemes differ?
Phonetics is based on overall similarity, while cladistics is based on evolutionary relationships.
125
Which classification scheme is most commonly used today?
Cladistics.
