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Definitions Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
0
Q

Observation

A

An unbiased, accurate report of an event

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1
Q

Scientific method

A

A process of investigation where problems are identified and their explanations are tested by carrying out experiments

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2
Q

Hypothesis

A

An educated guess based on observations

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3
Q

Experiment

A

An experiment is designed to test a hypothesis

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4
Q

Data

A

Consists of measurements, observations / information gathered during an experiment

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5
Q

Replicate

A

A repeat of an experiment

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6
Q

Control

A

A comparison used to provide a standard against which actual experiment can be judged

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7
Q

Theory

A

A hypothesis that has been supported by different experiments

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8
Q

Principle / Law

A

A theory that has shown to be valid against long-term testing

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9
Q

Ethics

A

Refers to whether issues are right or wrong

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10
Q

Continuity of life

A

Living things arise from other living things of the same type

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11
Q

Metabolism

A

Sum of all the chemical reactions in an organism

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12
Q

Characteristics of life

A

The common features share by living organisms

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13
Q

Organisation

A

Living things are composed of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems

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14
Q

Nutrition

A

Process by which an organism obtains and uses food

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15
Q

Excretion

A

Removal of waste products of metabolism

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16
Q

Response

A

The reaction of an organism to stimuli in their environment

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17
Q

Reproduction

A

The production of new individuals

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18
Q

Biomolecules

A

Molecules found in living things are composed of atoms where elements are bonded together in different ratios to form bio molecules such as carbohydrates

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19
Q

Organic compounds

A

Carbon atoms bonded together to make up most of the chemical compounds in living things

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20
Q

Monosaccharides

A

Single sugar molecules such as sucrose, lactose and maltose

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21
Q

Polysaccharides

A

Made up of many sugar molecules bonded together e.g. Starch, glycogen and cellulose

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22
Q

Phospholipids

A

Fat-like substances where one of the patty acids is replaced by a phosphate group

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23
Q

Anabolic reactions

A

Convert smaller molecules into larger ones- using energy e.g. Photosynthesis

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24
Q

Catabolic reaction

A

Complex molecule is broken down into simpler molecules- releasing energy e.g. Respiration

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25
Q

Ecology

A

The study of the relationships of living organisms wit gone another and with their environment

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26
Q

Ecosystem

A

A community of organisms and their abiotic environment

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27
Q

Biosphere

A

Part of the earth where life can occur

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28
Q

Habitat

A

Place in the environment where an organism lives

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29
Q

Population

A

All the members of the same species living in an area

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30
Q

Community

A

Plants and animals sharing the resources of a particular habitat

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31
Q

Niche

A

The functional role of an organism in an ecosystem e.g. How it feeds, what it eats, who eats it etc..

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32
Q

Abiotic factors

A

Non-living factors

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33
Q

Biotic factors

A

Living factors

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34
Q

Climatic factors

A

Refers to weather over a long period of time

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35
Q

Edaphic factors

A

Aspects of the soil that influence an ecosystem such as soil pH, soil type, moisture, air and mineral content of soil

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36
Q

Producers

A

Autotrophs that carry out photosynthesis

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37
Q

Consumers

A

Organisms that take food from another organism

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38
Q

Primary consumer

A

Organisms which feed directly on producers e.g rabbits

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39
Q

Secondary consumer

A

Carnivores that feed on primary consumers- fox

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40
Q

Tertiary consumers

A

Carnivore that feed on secondary consumers - badger

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41
Q

Food chain

A

The pathways along which energy is transferred in an ecosystem

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42
Q

Food web

A

2 or more interlinked food chains

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43
Q

Trophic level

A

A feeding stage/ energy level in a food chain

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44
Q

Pyramid of numbers

A

Based on numbers of organisms at each trophic level in a food chain

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45
Q

Nutrient recycling

A

The way in which elements ( carbon and nitrogen ) are exchanged between the living and non-living components of an ecosystem

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46
Q

Nitrogen fixation

A

Conversion of nitrogen gas into ammonia, ammonium or nitrate

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47
Q

Nitrification

A

The ammonia is converted to nitrites and then to nitrates by nitrifying bacteria

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48
Q

Denitrification

A

Conversion of nitrates to nitrogen gas. It is carried out by denitrifying bacteria in the soil

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49
Q

Pollution

A

Any harmful addition to the environment

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50
Q

Pollutants

A

Substances that cause undesirable change to the environment

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51
Q

Conservation

A

The wise management of our natural resources.

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52
Q

Competition

A

Occurs when organisms actively struggle for a resource that is in short supply

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53
Q

Intra-specific competition

A

This takes place between members of the same species eg buttercups compete with each other for light and minerals

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54
Q

Inter-specific competition

A

Occurs between members of different species eg foxes and thrushes compete for earthworms

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55
Q

Contest competition

A

Involves an active physical contest between 2 individuals eg robins actively defend a territory for feeding, nesting and reproduction

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56
Q

Scramble competition

A

Involves all the competing organisms getting some of the resources e.g seedlings competing for space around parent plant

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57
Q

Adaptations

A

Ways in which organisms as specialised either instruction behaviour to survive competition

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58
Q

Predation

A

An organism that lives by killing and consuming other living things . Eg ladybirds kill greenfly

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59
Q

Parasitism

A

Living organism that feeds on another living organism of a different species known as host , generally causing harm to the host.

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60
Q

Ectoparasites/Exoparasites

A

Living on the body Eg greenfly on rose bushes

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61
Q

Endoparasites

A

Live on the inside of the body of the host. Eg disease causing bacteria in the human body (Streptococcus)

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62
Q

Symbiosis

A

Relationship between two organisms of different species that live in close association to the benefit of both organisms

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63
Q

Saprophytes

A

Lives on dead organisms

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64
Q

Quantitative study

A

A study to find out the number of organisms that exist in an ecosystem

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65
Q

Qualitative study

A

A study to find out the type(s) of organisms that exist in an ecosystem

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66
Q

Protoplasm

A

Is all the living parts of a cell

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67
Q

Ultra structure

A

The fine detail of a cell as seen with an electron microscope

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68
Q

Chromatin

A

Name given to chromosomes when they are not dividing

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69
Q

Ribosomes

A

Very small organelles made of protein and RNA. Functional is to make proteins.

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70
Q

Prokaryotic Cells

A

Cells do not have a nuclear membrane surrounding their DNA. Eg monera.

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71
Q

Eukaryotic cells

A

These cells have a membrane bound nucleus and organelles.

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72
Q

Tissue

A

A group of similar cells specialised to carry out the same function.

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73
Q

Tissue culture

A

Cells grown on a sterile nutrient medium outside an organism

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74
Q

Organ

A

A structure containing different tissues which has a specific function

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75
Q

Organ system

A

A group of organs and tissues working together to carry out a specific function

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76
Q

Catalyst

A

A substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction (metabolism ) without itself taking part in the reaction

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77
Q

Enzymes

A

Defined as biological catalysts, protein in nature. Enzymes speed up the reactions in the cell without being used up in the reaction

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78
Q

Substrate

A

The substance an enzyme reacts with.

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79
Q

Product

A

Is formed when an enzyme reacts with a substrate.

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80
Q

Active site

A

The region of the enzyme that binds with the substrate.

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81
Q

Denatured enzyme

A

An enzyme that has lost its shape and can no longer carry out its function

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82
Q

Bio processing

A

Use of enzyme controlled reactions to produce a product

83
Q

Bioreactor

A

A vessel used to carry out enzyme controlled reactions

84
Q

Batch processing

A

Fixed amount of nutrients added at beginning and emptied at end of production

85
Q

Immobilised enzymes

A

Enzymes that are fixed/ attached to each other or to an inert material

86
Q

Phosphorylation

A

Addition of phosphorous to a molecule

87
Q

Protease

A

an enzyme which digests protein.

88
Q

Cell continuity

A

All cells develop from pre-existing cells

89
Q

Chromosome

A

Coiled threads of DNA and protein that become visible in the nucleus at cell division.

90
Q

Haploid cell

A

A cell which contains one of every chromosome type or pair

91
Q

Diploid cell

A

A cell which contains two of each type of chromosome (in homologous pairs)

92
Q

homologous pairs)

A

Consists of two chromosomes that each have genes for the same features at the same positions.

93
Q

Interphase

A

The phase in the cell cycle when the cell is not dividing

94
Q

Mitosis

A

A form of cell division that produces two daughter cells, genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell

95
Q

Meiosis

A

A form of cell division that produces four genetically different daughter cells, each of which has half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.

96
Q

Cancer

A

Group of disorders in which certain cells load their ability to control both the rate of mitosis and the number of times mitosis takes place.

97
Q

Selectively permeable

A

Cell membranes allow the passage of some materials but not others

98
Q

Diffusion

A

The movement of a substance from its area of higher concentration to its area of lower concentration. (Passive process) .

99
Q

Diffusion

A

The movement of a substance from its area of lower concentration to its area of higher concentration (opposite of diffusion)

100
Q

Osmosis

A

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from its area of higher concentration to its area of lower concentration.

101
Q

Hypotonic sol

A

Has a low concentration of solutes and thus a higher concentration of water than another solution

102
Q

Hypertonic sol

A

Has a Higher concentration of solutes than and thus a lower concentration of water than another solution

103
Q

Isotonic sol

A

Has the same concentration of solutes and water as another solution.

104
Q

Turgor/Turgor pressure

A

Is the pressure of the cytoplasm and vacuole against the cell wall

105
Q

Phagocytosis

A

Process where large particles are engulfed by the cell and become incorporated into a vacuole within the cell.

106
Q

Species

A

A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring

107
Q

Variations within a species

A

In a group of successfully interbreeding organisms the individual members show different characteristics

108
Q

Heredity

A

The transmission of traits from parents to offspring

109
Q

Mutation

A

Is a spontaneous inheritable change in the structure of genetic material

110
Q

Mutagens

A

Agents that cause mutations

111
Q

Gene (point) mutations

A

Are changes in a single gene

112
Q

Chromosome mutations

A

Large changes in the number and structure of the chromosomes

113
Q

Evolution

A

Defined as a change of a population of 1 species that gives rise to one or more new species

114
Q

Natural selection

A

A mechanism of evolution whereby the best adapted individuals survive and produce more offspring. Or inheritable change within a population in response to change in the environment by natural selection over time.

115
Q

Gene

A

Part of a chromosome, made of DNA and controls a single characteristic or trait

116
Q

Gene expression

A

The process whereby genetic information, encoded in a gene, is transferred to its functional product

117
Q

DNA profiling

A

A process of making unique patterns in the non- coding regions of an individual’s DNA. Or examining DNA for a pattern or a band to compare

118
Q

Genetic screening

A

Testing DNA to identify the presence or absence of particular genes.

119
Q

Transcription

A

Copying of a sequence of genetic bases from DNA into mRNA. ( making mRNA using DNA template)

120
Q

Translation

A

Conversion of a sequence of genetic bases on mRNA into a sequence of amino acids

121
Q

Chromosome

A

Found in the nucleus, made of DNA and protein and contain genes along their length

122
Q

Homologous chromosomes

A

Pairs of chromosomes that contain genes for the same characteristics at the same positions on the chromosomes

123
Q

Gametes

A

Haploid cells that are capable of fusion

124
Q

Allele

A

Different forms of the same gene. They occupy the same position ( locus) on homologous chromosomes

125
Q

Locus

A

The position of the gene on the chromosome

126
Q

Genotype

A

The genotype is the kind of genes present in the cell

127
Q

Phenotype

A

This is the expression of the gene in the environment. This is how genes affect the appearance of the organism

128
Q

Progeny

A

Refers to offspring that are produced

129
Q

Homozygous

A

When two alleles for a particular characteristic are the same.
Eg TT= tall and tt =short

130
Q

Heterozygous

A

When two alleles for a particular characteristic are different. Eg Tt= tall

131
Q

Dominant

A

A dominant allele is one that is always expressed in the phenotype. Generally written with a capital letter

132
Q

Recessive

A

A recessive allele is not expressed in the presence of the dominant allele, but only when both recessive alleles are present. Generally written with a small letter.incomplete dominance

133
Q

Incomplete dominance

A

The condition in which both alleles in the heterozygous condition are expressed in the phenotype, and an intermediate phenotype results

134
Q

Fertilisation

A

Fusion of a haploid sperm and an egg to form a diploid zygote

135
Q

The law of segregation

A

An individual has two genes for a character. These segregate at gamete formation. Only one of a pair of such genes can be carried in a single gamete. At fertilisation, the new organism will have two genes for each trait, one from each parent

136
Q

The law of independent assortment

A

When gametes are formed, each member of a pair of alleles can be inherited with any one from another allele pair

137
Q

Linkage

A

That genes are located on the same chromosome

138
Q

Sex linkage

A

A characteristic is controlled by a gene on an X/Y chromosome.

139
Q

Pedigree

A

A diagram showing the occurrence and appearance of a particular genetic trait from one generation to the next

140
Q

Genetic engineering

A

The artificial manipulation/alteration of genes

141
Q

DNA ligase

A

An enzyme that is used to stick DNA molecules from sources firmly together.

142
Q

Restriction enzymes

A

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific places

143
Q

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

A

Living things whose DNA has been altered artificially

144
Q

Autotrophs

A

Organisms which can make their own food fom simple inorganic substances. Eg green plants

145
Q

Photosynthetic

A

A type of nutrition where organisms make their own food using light energy. Eg purple sulphur bacteria

146
Q

Chemosynthetic

A

A type of nutrition where organisms make their own food using energy from chemical reactions. Eg. Nitrifying bacteria

147
Q

Heterotrophs

A

Organisms which cannot make their own food. Eg animals, fungi

148
Q

Saprophytes

A

Organisms that can take in food from dead organic matter. Eg bacteria of decay

149
Q

Parasites

A

Organisms that take in food from a live host and cause harm. Eg disease causing bacteria

150
Q

Pathogens

A

Micro organisms that cause disease

151
Q

Antibiotics

A

Chemicals produced by some bacteria and fungi that inhibit the growth or reproduction of other bacteria or fungi

152
Q

Mycology

A

Study of fungi

153
Q

Hypha

A

Tube/filament in a fungus

154
Q

Mycelium

A

Made up of network of fine tubular filaments (hyphae)

155
Q

Chitin

A

Fungus’ have rigid cell walls that contain chitin

156
Q

Sporulation

A

Process of making spores

157
Q

Aseptic/asepsis

A

The exclusion of micro organisms

158
Q

Sterile

A

The absence of micro-organisms/free from micro organisms

159
Q

Osmoregulation

A

The control of water and salt balance in an organism

160
Q

Bacteriophage

A

A virus that infects bacteria

161
Q

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome )

A

A collection of disorders following infection by the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). HIV virus contains RNA.

162
Q

Meristem

A

Zone of active cell division in plants

163
Q

Dermal tissue

A

Single layer of cells covering the different parts of the plant. Eg epidermis

164
Q

Vascular tissue

A

The tissues involved in transport within the plant, xylem and phloem

165
Q

Ground tissue

A

All the other tissues within the plant

166
Q

Cuticle

A

Living cells often with a waxy layer covering over the outer surface

167
Q

Herbaceous

A

Plants do not contain wood/ lignin. Eg buttercup

168
Q

Woody

A

They possess woody tissue. Eg oak

169
Q

Transpiration

A

Loss of water vapour from the leaves and other aerial parts of the plant

170
Q

Lenticels

A

Endings in the stems of plants that allow gas exchange

171
Q

Stimulus

A

Anything that brings about a response in an organism

172
Q

Response

A

The effect the stimulus has on the organism activity. Plants respond to light by growing

173
Q

Tropism

A

The growth response of a plant to an environmental stimulus

174
Q

Phototropism

A

Growth of plants in response to light

175
Q

Geotropism

A

Growth of plants in response to gravity

176
Q

Thigmotropism

A

Growth of plants in response to touch

177
Q

Hydrotropism

A

Growth of plants in response to water

178
Q

Chemotropism

A

Growth of plants in response to chemicals

179
Q

Growth regulators

A

A chemical that controls growth in plants

180
Q

Phytoalexins

A

When a plant is infected by a micro org., the plant is able to produce stress proteins

181
Q

Asexual

A

Reproduction involves only one parent

182
Q

Sexual reproduction

A

Involves the Union of 2 sexual gametes

183
Q

Gametes

A

Haploid cells capable of fusion

184
Q

Stamens

A

Male parts of the flower

185
Q

Carpels

A

Female parts of the flower

186
Q

Pollination

A

The transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma of a flower from the same species

187
Q

Self pollination

A

The transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma on the same plant

188
Q

Cross pollination

A

The transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma on a different plant of the same species

189
Q

Fertilisation

A

Union of the male and female gametes to form a diploid zygote

190
Q

Non endospermic seed

A

Has no endosperm when fully formed

191
Q

Endospermic seed

A

Contains some endosperm when fully formed

192
Q

Dispersal

A

The transfer of a seed/fruit away from the parent plant

193
Q

Dormancy

A

Resting period when seeds undergo no growth and have reduced cell activity/ metabolism

194
Q

Germination

A

The re growth of the embryo, after a period of dormancy, if the environmental conditions are suitable.

195
Q

Vegetative propagation

A

Asexual reproduction in plants Eg strawberry

196
Q

Clone

A

A group of cells/organisms that are genetically identical to each other and are produced by mitosis

197
Q

Runners

A

Horizontal stems that run/ grow above the ground and from whoh new plants grow

198
Q

Root tuber

A

A swollen underground root that remains dormant during winter and from which new plants ma grow

199
Q

Bulb

A

Modified bud

200
Q

Micro propagation

A

Involves growing large numbers of plant from small pieces of plant tissue (single cells)

201
Q

Tissue culture

A

The growth of tissues outside the organism on an artificial medium. Eg micro propagation of plants

202
Q

Leaf venation

A

The way in which veins in the leaf are arranged is called leaf venation

203
Q

Granulocytes

A

Formed in the red bone marrow. They are phagocytic(actively seek out and engulf bacteria)

204
Q

Serum

A

Is plasma with fibrinogen removed. This prevents plasma from clotting and serum can be stored by hospitals for transfusions

Biology (7 decks)

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