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SUMMARY NOTES Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What are the five kingdoms of classification?

A
  • Prokaryotae
  • Protoctista
  • Fungi
  • Plantae
  • Animalia

Each kingdom represents a major category of life forms with distinct characteristics.

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2
Q

Define Prokaryotae.

A

Unicellular organisms with cell walls, no true nucleus, and lack membrane-bound organelles.

Example: TB bacterium.

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3
Q

What is the defining feature of Protoctista?

A

Mostly unicellular, some simple multicellular organisms with a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Examples: Amoeba, Paramecium.

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4
Q

What are the characteristics of Fungi?

A
  • Mostly multicellular with hyphae
  • Cells have walls with chitin
  • Lack chlorophyll, reproduce by spores
  • Feed by absorbing food

Example: Pin mould.

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5
Q

Describe the Plantae kingdom.

A
  • Multicellular with cell walls made of cellulose
  • Contain chlorophyll, make food via photosynthesis
  • Stationary

Example: Ferns.

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6
Q

What are the characteristics of the Animalia kingdom?

A
  • Multicellular
  • No cell walls or chlorophyll
  • Feed by ingesting food
  • Most are capable of movement

Example: Mammals.

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7
Q

What are Bryophytes?

A
  • Simple stems and leaves
  • Root-like structures called rhizoids
  • Reproduce via spores
  • Live in damp, shady areas

Examples: Moss, liverwort.

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8
Q

What defines Ferns?

A
  • Have true roots, stems, and leaves (fronds)
  • Reproduce by producing spores on the underside of fronds

Examples: Breadfruit fern, maidenhair fern.

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9
Q

What characterizes Conifers?

A
  • Have proper roots, stems, and needle-shaped leaves
  • Reproduce by producing seeds inside cones

Examples: Pine, fir.

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10
Q

Define Monocotyledons.

A
  • Long, narrow leaves with straight, parallel veins
  • Seeds contain one cotyledon
  • Flower parts in multiples of three

Examples: Sugar cane, guinea grass.

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11
Q

What are the features of Dicotyledons?

A
  • Broad leaves with a network of veins
  • Seeds contain two cotyledons
  • Flower parts in multiples of four or five

Examples: Pride of Barbados, flamboyant.

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12
Q

Define Ecology.

A

The study of the interrelationships between living organisms and their environment.

This includes both biotic and abiotic factors.

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13
Q

What are biotic factors?

A

Living components that influence an organism, such as predators, prey, competitors, and parasites.

They are part of the ecological environment.

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14
Q

What are abiotic factors?

A

Non-living chemical and physical components that influence an organism, such as temperature and water.

They are essential for understanding an ecosystem.

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15
Q

What is a habitat?

A

The place where an organism lives.

Example: The upper layers of soil for earthworms.

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16
Q

Define a species.

A

A group of organisms with common ancestry that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

Species are fundamental units in biology.

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17
Q

What is a population in ecological terms?

A

All members of a particular species living in a specific habitat.

Example: Sea urchins in a sea grass bed.

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18
Q

What is a community in ecology?

A

All populations of different species living in the same habitat.

Example: A woodland community.

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19
Q

Define an ecosystem.

A

A community of living organisms sharing an environment.

Ecosystems can be large or small.

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20
Q

What is a niche?

A

The role or position of an organism within an ecosystem.

Example: An earthworm’s role in soil aeration.

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21
Q

Fill in the blank: The study of the interrelationships between living organisms and their environment is called _______.

A

[Ecology]

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22
Q

True or False: No two species can occupy the same ecological niche.

A

True

This is due to competition and resource allocation.

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23
Q

What are producers in an ecosystem?

A

Organisms that manufacture organic substances using water, carbon dioxide, and energy from light or chemical reactions.

Examples include green plants and certain bacteria.

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24
Q

Define consumers.

A

Animals that eat other organisms to obtain energy and nutrients.

They can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores.

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25
Q

What are decomposers?

A

Organisms that feed saprophytically on dead organisms to obtain energy, breaking down complex compounds into simpler ones.

Examples: Bacteria and fungi.

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26
Q

Fill in the blank: A food web is formed when many food chains _______.

A

[link together]

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27
Q

What is the primary objective of an ecological study?

A

To find out which species are present at the site and analyze their distribution and relative abundance.

It may also monitor population changes.

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28
Q

What is a quadrat?

A

A square frame used to study the distribution and abundance of plants and slow-moving animals in uniform ecosystems.

Typically sized at 0.5 m × 0.5 m or 1.0 m × 1.0 m.

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29
Q

Define the Capture-Recapture method.

A

A method used to estimate population sizes of moving animals by marking a sample and then recapturing another sample.

The total population size is estimated based on the proportion of marked individuals.

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30
Q

What does species density refer to?

A

The number of individuals of a species per unit area.

It is a key metric in ecological studies.

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31
Q

What are abiotic factors divided into?

A
  • Soil
  • Water
  • Climate

Each category influences the habitat and organisms within it.

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32
Q

What is the significance of light intensity in an ecosystem?

A

It affects the distribution and growth of both plants and animals.

Organisms adapt to maximize light capture or reduce excess light exposure.

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33
Q

Fill in the blank: The waterproof skin with scales, gills for breathing, and fins for swimming are characteristics of _______.

A

[Fish]

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34
Q

What are the characteristics of Amphibians?

A
  • Soft, moist skin without scales
  • Live in both water and land
  • Larvae have gills; adults have lungs

Examples: Frog, toad.

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35
Q

What is the role of wind in an ecosystem?

A

Essential for pollination and seed dispersal in plants and may influence migration in birds.

Wind patterns can affect species distribution.

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36
Q

Define salinity in aquatic environments.

A

The concentration of salt in the water.

Aquatic organisms are adapted to specific salinity levels.

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37
Q

What is dissolved oxygen’s importance in aquatic ecosystems?

A

Aquatic organisms use it for respiration; low levels can lead to poor habitat conditions.

Moving water typically has higher oxygen levels.

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38
Q

What is the role of mould in ecosystems?

A

Decomposition of organic materials

Mould obtains nutrients by breaking down organic material.

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39
Q

Why do food chains typically not exceed four trophic levels?

A

Energy is lost at each trophic level, making insufficient energy available for higher levels

Most food chains consist of only four to five trophic levels.

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40
Q

What is a food web?

A

A network formed when many food chains link together.

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41
Q

List characteristics of predators.

A
  • Speed
  • Stealth
  • Camouflage
  • Poison to kill
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42
Q

List characteristics of prey.

A
  • Camouflage
  • Rapid responses
  • Protective body covering
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43
Q

What is the ecological relationship where a predator feeds on its prey?

A

Predation

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44
Q

What is interdependence in ecosystems?

A

The reliance of living organisms on their environment for energy, food, space, shelter, and warmth.

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45
Q

Describe the interdependence of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

A

Living organisms release carbon dioxide and consume oxygen during respiration, while plants take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen through photosynthesis.

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46
Q

What is symbiosis?

A

A close relationship between two organisms of different species.

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47
Q

Define parasitism.

A

A relationship where one organism (the parasite) lives off another organism (the host), causing harm.

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48
Q

What is commensalism?

A

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

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49
Q

Define mutualism.

A

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

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50
Q

What is the primary source of energy in an ecosystem?

A

The Sun

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51
Q

What percentage of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next?

A

About 10%

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52
Q

What are ecological pyramids?

A

Diagrams representing the number, biomass, and energy of organisms at each trophic level.

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53
Q

What is the carbon cycle?

A

The process of recycling carbon through various processes like respiration, photosynthesis, and combustion.

54
Q

What are the basic building blocks of living organisms?

A

Cells

55
Q

What type of organisms are multicellular?

A

Organisms made up of many cells, such as animals, plants, and fungi.

56
Q

What is the function of the cell membrane?

A

Protects and provides shape; selectively permeable.

57
Q

What is the role of mitochondria in a cell?

A

Site of cellular respiration and ATP production.

58
Q

What is the function of chloroplasts?

A

Site of photosynthesis in plant cells.

59
Q

Define diffusion.

A

Passive movement of particles from high concentration to low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

60
Q

What are the types of diffusion?

A
  • Simple Diffusion
  • Facilitated Diffusion
  • Dialysis
61
Q

What is osmosis?

A

Movement of water molecules through a partially permeable membrane from higher to lower water concentration.

62
Q

What is the significance of osmosis in plants?

A

Facilitates water movement from soil to roots and regulates stomatal opening.

63
Q

What is active transport?

A

Movement of substances against their concentration gradient using energy (ATP).

64
Q

What are specialized animal cells?

A
  • Red Blood Cells
  • Sperm Cells
  • Egg Cells
  • Nerve Cells
  • Muscle Cells
  • Ciliated Epithelial Cells
65
Q

What are specialized plant cells?

A
  • Palisade Cells
  • Spongy Mesophyll Cells
  • Guard Cells
  • Xylem Cells
  • Phloem Cells
  • Root Hair Cells
66
Q

What is the role of guard cells?

A

Control the opening and closing of stomata.

67
Q

Define microbes.

A

Organisms that are very small or invisible to the naked eye.

68
Q

What is the impact of temperature on diffusion?

A

Higher temperatures increase molecular movement.

69
Q

What is diffusion?

A

The process essential for nutrient and gas exchange in both plants and animals.

70
Q

What role does osmosis play in plant cells?

A

Maintains cell turgidity, crucial for structural support and overall plant health.

71
Q

How does osmoregulation occur in humans?

A

Via the kidneys, regulating water and salt levels in the blood.

72
Q

What is active transport?

A

The movement of particles from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration using energy.

73
Q

What energy source is required for active transport?

A

ATP, produced through cellular respiration.

74
Q

In which organisms does active transport occur?

A

Only in living cells.

75
Q

What is the significance of the surface area to volume ratio?

A

A larger surface area relative to volume facilitates quicker exchange rates.

76
Q

What adaptations do specialized exchange surfaces have?

A
  • Large surface area
  • Thin surface
  • Partially permeable
  • Adaptations like long projections or folded membranes
77
Q

What is photosynthesis?

A

The process by which green plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose using light energy.

78
Q

What is the equation for photosynthesis?

A

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.

79
Q

What are the two main stages of photosynthesis?

A
  • Light-dependent stage
  • Light-independent (Dark) stage
80
Q

What conditions are necessary for photosynthesis?

A
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Water
  • Sunlight
  • Chlorophyll
  • Enzymes
  • Suitable temperature (5°C - 40°C)
81
Q

What is etiolation in plants?

A

The process where plants grow elongated, pale stems in search of light.

82
Q

What are the two types of nutrition in living organisms?

A
  • Autotrophic Nutrition
  • Heterotrophic Nutrition
83
Q

What is the difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs?

A

Autotrophs produce their own food; heterotrophs depend on other sources for food.

84
Q

What is a balanced diet composed of?

A
  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Fats
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Water
  • Dietary fibre
85
Q

What are the effects of malnutrition?

A
  • Over-nutrition leads to obesity
  • Under-nutrition causes deficiency diseases like kwashiorkor and marasmus
86
Q

What is the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?

A

The energy required to maintain basic body functions at rest.

87
Q

What are the stages of digestion?

A
  • Ingestion
  • Digestion
  • Absorption
  • Assimilation
  • Egestion
88
Q

What is the main function of the liver?

A

Regulates blood glucose levels, produces bile, detoxifies blood, and stores vitamins and minerals.

89
Q

What enzyme breaks down starch into maltose?

A

Amylase.

90
Q

What is the role of bile in digestion?

A

Emulsifies fats, increasing the surface area for lipase to break down fats.

91
Q

What happens to excess glucose in the body?

A

It can be converted to fat and stored in adipose tissue.

92
Q

What are enzymes?

A

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body.

93
Q

What factors affect enzyme activity?

A
  • Temperature
  • pH
94
Q

What is the definition of respiration?

A

The process of breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen to release energy.

95
Q

What is the difference between inhaled and exhaled air?

A

Inhaled air: 21% oxygen, 0.04% carbon dioxide; Exhaled air: 16% oxygen, 4% carbon dioxide.

96
Q

What is the primary role of energy in biological processes?

A

Energy is used to break down and build molecules, facilitate transport across cell membranes, and support processes like muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission.

97
Q

What happens to energy during biological processes?

A

A significant portion of energy is lost to the environment as heat, but the remainder is vital for sustaining biological functions.

98
Q

Where does respiration occur and what does it involve?

A

Respiration occurs in humans and animals and involves breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen to release energy.

99
Q

What are the products of aerobic respiration?

A

The products are carbon dioxide, water, and energy (ATP).

100
Q

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

A

Aerobic respiration requires oxygen, while anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen, producing lactic acid or ethanol.

101
Q

What process do green plants use to convert sunlight into energy?

A

Photosynthesis.

102
Q

What are the products of photosynthesis?

A

Glucose and oxygen.

103
Q

How are respiration and photosynthesis linked?

A

Oxygen produced during photosynthesis is used in respiration by animals, while carbon dioxide produced in respiration is used in photosynthesis by plants.

104
Q

What are spiracles in insects?

A

Air holes along the body sides that lead to tracheae, a system of air tubes.

105
Q

How do fish extract oxygen from water?

A

Fish use gills to extract oxygen from water and expel carbon dioxide.

106
Q

Fill in the blank: Gas exchange in small animals like flatworms occurs through their _______.

A

skin.

107
Q

What is the function of lenticels in plants?

A

Gas exchange occurs through lenticels, which are small breaks in the bark.

108
Q

What is the role of the upper epidermis in plant leaves?

A

Covered with a waxy cuticle to prevent water loss, allowing minimal gas exchange.

109
Q

What is the function of palisade cells in leaves?

A

Contains chloroplasts for photosynthesis, absorbing light for food production.

110
Q

How do capillaries function in the circulatory system?

A

Capillaries are one-cell-thick vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs between the blood and body tissues.

111
Q

What are the components of the human circulatory system?

A

The heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), and blood.

112
Q

What is the primary function of red blood cells (RBCs)?

A

Carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues and remove carbon dioxide.

113
Q

What is the role of white blood cells (WBCs)?

A

Defend the body against infections.

114
Q

What is the function of platelets in the blood?

A

Help in blood clotting, preventing excessive blood loss.

115
Q

What is plasma in the context of blood composition?

A

The liquid portion of blood that carries dissolved substances such as carbon dioxide, waste, hormones, nutrients, and heat.

116
Q

What are the two phases of the cardiac cycle?

A

Systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation).

117
Q

What is the difference between pulmonary and systemic circulation?

A

Pulmonary circulation carries blood from the heart to the lungs for gas exchange, while systemic circulation carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

118
Q

True or False: Veins have thicker walls than arteries.

A

False.

119
Q

What is blood pressure measured by?

A

A sphygmomanometer.

120
Q

Describe the role of phagocytes in the immune response.

A

Phagocytes engulf and digest pathogens.

121
Q

What is natural immunity?

A

Immunity gained through exposure to pathogens.

122
Q

What happens during blood clotting?

A

Platelets adhere to the site of damage and release chemicals that trigger the formation of a clot.

123
Q

What do xylem vessels transport?

A

Water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.

124
Q

What is transpiration in plants?

A

The process by which water evaporates from the leaves, driving the movement of water from the roots through the xylem.

125
Q

Fill in the blank: Xerophytes have adaptations such as thick cuticles and _______ to minimize water loss.

A

deep roots.

126
Q

What are the two types of growth movements in plants?

A

Growth movement in response to stimuli and locomotion in animals.

127
Q

What are the main functions of the human skeleton?

A
  • Protection
  • Support
  • Locomotion
  • Blood formation
128
Q

What is the role of the cerebrum in the brain?

A

Responsible for voluntary actions, sensory perception, and decision-making.

129
Q

What is the definition of a reflex action?

A

An automatic, involuntary response to a stimulus.

130
Q

What occurs during the process of germination?

A
  • Absorption of water
  • Breakdown of food stores
  • Translocation of nutrients
131
Q

What are the three main structures of a dicotyledonous seed?

A
  • Seed coat
  • Cotyledons
  • Embryo

csec bio (2 decks)

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