Midterm 2021-2022 Term Definition Flashcards
Abiotic Definition
Features that are nonliving. They are not considered in the community level.
Ex. Rocks or temperature of environment
Activation Energy Definition
The minimum energy that is needed to make the chemical reaction happen.
It usually has the symbol Ea
ATP Definition
Adenosine triphosphate is Energy
Aerobic Respiration Definition
A chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from carbohydrates.
Alcohol Fermentation Definition
Glucose → Ethyl alcohol + Carbon dioxide
Amino acid Definition
Special organic molecule used by living organisms to make proteins. (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen)
- Bonded together into long chains which fold into a three-dimensional shape.
- Every amino acid is made up of a foundational molecule, which is the same for all amino acids.
- There are 20 different “R” groups, resulting in 20 different amino acids.
- Amino acids are joined in long chains called polypeptides before they fold into their complex, 3-dimensional, functional shape.
Anaerobic Respiration Definition
A form of respiration which does not use oxygen.
Atmosphere Definition
The whole mass of different gasses that surrounds the earth.
Autotroph Definition
An organism that can produce its own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals.
Biogeochemical Cycles Definition
Chemical elements and water that are needed by organisms continuously recycle in ecosystems that pass through biotic and abiotic components of the biosphere.
Biomass Definition
The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume.
Biotic Definition
Features that are living.
Ex. Humans or Birds
Calvin Cycle Definition
The cycle of chemical reactions where the carbon from the carbon cycle is fixed into sugars.
- Occurs in the chloroplast.
Carbohydrate Definition
- One of the most common organic macromolecules.
Carbon Definition
Carbon is stored for varying lengths of time in the atmosphere, in living organisms, and as fossil fuel deposits.
Carbon Cycle Definition
The process by which carbon travels between the atmosphere, land, the oceans and the sediments below ground.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Definition
A colorless, odorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration. It is naturally present in air (about 0.03 percent) and is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis.
Catalyst Definition
A substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions than otherwise possible
Ex. Lower temperature
Cellular Respiration Definition
The process by which organisms use oxygen to break down food molecules to create energy for cell functions.
Chemical Bond Definition
A force of attraction between atoms or ions.
Chemical Energy Definition
Energy stored in bonds of chemical compounds (like atoms and molecules)
- This is released when chemical reactions take place.
Chlorophyll Definition
- Chemical / Pigment that turns parts of plants green.
2. Allows Producers to absorb light for photosynthesis.
Chloroplast Definition
An organelle that conduct photosynthesis.
Consumer Definition
An organism that cannot produce its own food and must feed on other organisms for energy.
Also Known as Heterotroph
Ex. Cow
Decomposer Definition
An organism similar to Consumer that feeds on other organisms and dead / decaying biological material and wastes to obtain energy.
Ex. Fungi
Dehydration Synthesis Definition
The creation of larger molecules from smaller monomers where a water molecule is released.
Ecosystem Definition
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
Electron Definition
A very small particle of matter that has a negative charge of electricity and travels around the nucleus of an atom.
Electron Transport Chain Definition
The last stage of cellular respiration.
- Produces 32 ATP.
- This stage requires inputs produced during the other two stages of the process.
- Uses oxygen.
- Water is produced as a waste product.
Energy Definition
Energy is the ability to do work. It is needed by all living things and every living cell to carry out life processes, such as breaking down and building up molecules, and transporting many molecules across cell membranes.
Energy Flow Definition
The flow of energy through living things within an ecosystem.
Energy Pyramid Definition
A graphical representation of the energy found within the trophic levels of an ecosystem. The bottom and largest level of the pyramid is the producers and contains the largest amount of energy.
Also known as a trophic or ecological pyramid
Enzyme Definition
A substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.
Could be another name for a “biological catalyst”.
Flux Definition
The exchange of carbon between two reservoirs.
Fermentation Definition
Fermentation is the process of releasing energy from food molecules to produce energy (ATP), without oxygen present.
Food Chain Definition
A food chain is a succession of organisms that eat other organisms and may, in turn, be eaten themselves.