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Pre-AP Biology Mid-term vocabulary review set Flashcards

Flash cards to review all of the many vocabulary terms introduced to Pre-AP Biology high school students during the first semester. Topics range from the Scientific Method through Protein synthesis

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283129277HYPOTHESISa possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question.
283129278CONTROLin an experiment, the standard against which results are compared
283129279INDEPENDENT VARIABLEIn an experiment, the variable that the experimenter plans to change
283129280DEPENDENT VARIABLEthe variable in a controlled experiment that is expected to change due to the manipulation of the independent variable
283129281CONCLUSIONa summary of what you have learned from an experiment
283129282RESEARCH JOURNALthe best type of reference to look for prior scientific information when researching a scientific question, hypothesis or goal
283129283INFERENCEa tentative conclusion reached on the basis of incomplete evidence and reasoning.
283129284HOMEOSTASISthe process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment
283129285SPONTANEOUS GENERATIONan early and now disproved theory that living organisms can routinely come to life from nonliving material
283129286FRANCESCO REDIName of this scientist who in the 1600's, disproved spontaneous generation by showing that maggots do not spontaneously arise from decaying meat.
283129287ARISTOTLEHe believed that the universe was made of air, water, fire, earth and quintessence. First man to try to classify life into taxonomic groups.
283129288ABIOGENESISA scientific term describing the theory that life can originate from nonliving matter; spontaneous generation
283129289Anton van LeeuwenhoekHe crafted the simple microscope in the 1600's. First person to see living cells through a microscope.
283129290JOHN NEEDHAMScientist in 1700's who boiled nutrient broth in wax stoppered flasks. He found microbes grew even in boiled broth, thereby proving that microbes could spontaneously develop from non-life
283129291Lazzaro SpallanzaniHe repeated Needham's broth flask experiment in 1700's with better stoppers. He proved that properly sealed and sterilized nutrient broth will NOT give rise to new life. Disproved Spontaneous Generation.
283129292LOUIS PASTEURFrench Biologist who designed special S-curved neck flasks. His experiments in 1864 with sterilized nutrient broths in his flasks proved once and for all that microbes and life do not spontaneously develop
283129293INTELLIGENT DESIGNthe idea that life is too complex to have developed without the hand of a supernatural being or God
283129294PANSPERMIA ABIOGENESISThe theory that the first life on Earth came from outer space long ago
283129295CHONthe initials of the 4 most abundant elements found in all living things (the first letter of each word)
283129296PROTONSpositively charged particles in the nucleus of an atom
283129297NEUTRONSsubatomic particles in the nucleus of an atom that have no electrical charge
283129298ELECTRONSNegatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom
283129299ATOMIC NUMBERthe number of protons in the nucleus of any atom
283129300ATOMIC MASStotal number of protons plus neutrons in the nucleus of any atom
283129301CARBONThe most important element in living cells, capable of forming lots of chemical bonds with other elements - the basis of the science of "Organic Chemistry"
2831293026The atomic number of the element Carbon
2831293038The atomic number of the element Oxygen
283129304ISOTOPEatoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons
283129305ORBITAL SHELLThe rings of electrons that orbit the nucleus of an atom at specific distances from the protons
283129306VALENCE SHELLthe outermost energy shell of an atom, containing the electrons involved in the chemical reactions of that atom
283129307PERIODIC TABLEA big chart listing all of the atoms found in nature, plus atoms that humans have created
2831293082, 8, 18The number of electrons that can fit into the first three valance shells
283129309Ionan atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons and has a negative or positive charge
283129310IONIC BONDchemical/electrical bond that occurs when an atom loses one or more electrons to another atom, thereby creating ions of opposite charges
283129311NaClThe chemical formula for table salt
283160975COVALENT BONDA chemical bond formed when two or more atoms share electrons in their outer valence shells
283160976MOLECULEtwo or more atoms of any type, bonded together
283160977COMPOUNDa molecule made up of two or more different atomic elements joined by chemical bonds
283160978ELEMENTa pure substance made of only one kind of atom
2831609794the number of chemical bonds one atom of Carbon can make with other elements
283160980HYDROCARBONan organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen
283160981MACROMOLECULElarge molecule formed by joining smaller organic molecules together
283160982ORGANIC CHEMISTRYthe study of the chemistry of carbon
283160983CARBOHYDRATEScompounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms; major source of energy for most living cells
283160984LIPIDSorganic compounds that include fats, oils and waxes; used in living cells and organisms for energy, insulation and cell structure
283160985PROTEINSMolecules made by connecting amino acids via peptide bonds. They function as enzymes, carry out most chemical reactions in cells, and contribute to repair, reproduction and structure of tissues
283160986AMINO ACIDSThe basic building blocks of proteins; joined together by peptide bonds
283160987GLUCOSEA simple sugar manufactured during photosynthesis. Main source of energy for plants and animals, Metabolized during cellular respiration
283160988MONOSACCHARIDEScientific name for simple carbohydrate sugars containing only one sugar molecule
283160989DISACCHARIDEScientific name for simple carbohydrate sugars containing two sugar molecules bonded together (ex: sucrose)
283160990POLYSACCHARIDEScientific name for complex carbohydrate sugars containing many sugar molecules bonded together (ex: starch or cellulose)
283160991CELLULOSEA polysaccharide carbohydrate made of many glucose units bonded together, that provides structural support for plants.
283160992STARCHA polysaccharide made up of chains of glucose molecules; food storage molecules for animal and plants. Glycogen is the name given to this substance when made by animals
283160993TRIGLYCERIDEThe basic building block of lipids; composed of three molecules of fatty acids and one molecule of glycerol
283160994ENERGY, INSULATION, CELL COMPONENTSThe three functions of lipids in living cells
28316099520The number of amino acids found in nature
283160996ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDSamino acids that are needed but cannot be made by the body; they must be eaten in foods
283160997PEPTIDE BONDA strong bond that links amino acids together in a protein
283160998DENATURATIONA change in the shape of a protein that destroys its function; caused by excessive temperatures, pH and strong chemicals
283160999DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACIDThe formal chemical name for DNA
283161000RIBONUCLEIC ACIDThe formal chemical name for RNA
283161001NUCLEOTIDEThe basic building block of DNA, RNA and all Nucleic Acids
283161002DEOXYRIBOSE SUGAR, PHOSPHATE GROUP, NITROGEN BASEThe three organic components of the nucleotides that make up the DNA molecule
283161003RIBOSE SUGAR, PHOSPHATE GROUP, NITROGEN BASEThe three organic components of the nucleotides that make up the RNA molecule
283161004ADENINEOne of the five nucleotides that make up DNA and RNA, beginning with the letter "A"
283161005THYMINEOne of the four nucleotides that make up DNA. Not present in RNA
283161006GUANINEOne of the five nucleotides that make up DNA and RNA beginning with the letter, "G"
283161007CYTOSINEOne of the five nucleotides that make up DNA and RNA beginning with the letter, "C"
283161008URACILOne of the four nucleotides that make up RNA. Not present in DNA
283220686ENZYMEspecialized proteins that speed up chemical reactions
283220687CATALYSTa substance that speeds up chemical reactions without itself being affected
283220688ACTIVATION ENERGYthe minimum amount of energy needed to start a chemical reaction in living cells
283220689ACTIVE SITEthe specific chemical location where a substrate binds to an enzyme
283220690SUBSTRATEthe substance(s) acted upon by an enzyme
283220691PRODUCTThe substance(s) that are produced when an enzyme chemically acts upon one or more substrates.
283220692LOCK AND KEYModel of enzyme activity that explains how a particular enzyme will only accept one particular type of substrate.
283220693INDUCED FITThe slight change in shape that occurs to an enzyme when its active site is occupied; helps the reaction to proceed
283220694H2OThe chemical formula for water
283220695POLARdescribes a molecule or compound in which the substance has a slightly positively charged end and a slightly negatively charged end. Water is the most common example of this type of molecule.
2832206960, 100The freezing and boiling points of water in Celsius degrees
283220697HYDROGEN BONDSWeak chemical bonds formed between molecules that have a slight positive charged end and a slight negative charged end
283220698SURFACE TENSIONThe attraction of water molecules at the surface of liquid water that causes them to stick together, caused by polarity and hydrogen bonds
283220699CAPILLARY ACTIONA process whereby the cohesion of water molecules for each other results in liquid water moving upward through the stems of plants to replace water lost from leaves by evaporation
283220700COHESIONThe tendency of polar molecules (such as water) to stick to each other and form droplets
283220701ADHESIONThe tendency of electrically charged molecules such as water or other polar molecules to stick to surfaces
283220702DISSOLUTIONThe separation and disintegration of a Solute into a liquid solvent
283220703SOLUTIONmixture of two or more substances that have dissolved so that the molecules are evenly distributed
283220704DIFFUSIONthe process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
283220705UNIVERSAL SOLVENTWater can dissolve so many solutes that it is called this.
283220706OSMOSISThe movement of water into or out of a cell through the cell membrane, due to differences in concentration of solutes between the inside and outside of the cell
283220707ISOTONICa solution that has equal amounts of solute (substances) in it when compared to its surroundings. Cells in this condition will neither gain nor lose water through osmosis.
283220708HYPERTONICa solution that has more solute (substances) in it than its surroundings. Cells in this condition will gain water and swell through osmosis
283220709HYPOTONICa solution that has less solute (substances) in it than its surroundings. Cells in this condition will lose water and shrink through osmosis.
283220710TRANSPIRATIONThe evaporation of water from plant leaves into the air
283220711CELL THEORYThe 3-part idea that (1) all living things are composed of cells, (2) cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things, and (3) new cells are produced from existing cells
283220712ROBERT HOOKEFirst scientist to discover that life is made of "cells". He studied cork under the microscope; named the little compartments that he saw as "cells"
283220713UNICELLULAROrganisms made of only one single cell
283220714MULTICELLULAROrganisms made of many individual cells, sometimes of different types
283220715DIFFERENTIATIONProcess in which cells undergo internal changes to become specialized in structure and function.
283220716STEM CELLunspecialized parent cell that can change and differentiate to become many different types of cells
283220717Atoms, Molecules, Organelles, Cells, Tissues, Organs, Organ systems, OrganismThe 8 categories from simplest to most complex in living beings (separated by commas)
283220718PROKARYOTEA unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus and membrane bound organelles. Bacteria are the primary example.
283220719EUKARYOTEA unicellular or multicellular organism whose cells have a nucleus and many membrane bound organelles. Examples include animals, plants, protists and fungi
283262518PRIMITIVE PROKARYOTE BACTERIAThe first life form on Earth, based upon the latest scientific evidence
283262519PLANT, ANIMAL, PROTIST, FUNGIThe four kingdoms of eukaryote organisms on Earth
283262520ORGANELLESSpecialized structures inside cells that carry out specific functions
283262521CELL MEMBRANEThe outer barrier of a cell made of phospholipid molecules and proteins; it is semi-permeable and regulates what enters and leaves the cell
283262522PROTEIN CHANNELSMolecules embedded in cell membranes that open or close to allow passage of substances into or out of the cell
283262523ACTIVE TRANSPORTThe movement of materials through a cell membrane using cellular energy (usually ATP)
283262524PASSIVE TRANSPORTThe movement of materials through a cell membrane without the need to use energy
283262525CELL WALLA rigid protective structure that surrounds the cell membranes of plants and most bacteria. Made of Cellulose in plants. Provides support for the plant as well as protection
283262526CYTOPLASMThe liquid jelly-like fluid inside a cell, plus all of the organelles floating in it
283262527CYTOSOLThe liquid jelly-like fluid inside a cell; provides a place for cell chemistry to occur
283262528NUCLEUSThe organelle in a cell that houses the DNA and RNA that controls the design and characteristics of the organism
283262529NUCLEOLUSAn organelle inside the nucleus where ribosomes are manufactured
283262530NUCLEAR PORESThe openings in the nuclear envelope made of proteins which regulate what substances can enter or leave the nucleus
283262531CHROMATINThe thin form of DNA that is formed inside the cell by proteins that wrap DNA around histone balls to keep the DNA from tangling. DNA remains in this state until cell division. It is this material that is copied/replicated during the S phase of the cell cycle, just prior to cell division.
283262532CHROMOSOMEThe thick form of DNA that results when chromatin is coiled and condensed into these dense structures during the beginning of prophase in Mitosis. Visible under a microscope.
283262533ROUGH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUMAn organelle partially surrounding the nucleus consisting of folded layers of membranes with ribosomes embedded in its walls; Involved in the production of proteins
283262534SMOOTH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUMAn organelle consisting of folded layers of membranes that have no ribosomes associated with it; Involved in the production of cell components, regulation of calcium and destruction of toxic substances in the cell. In communication with the rough ER.
283262535CYTOSKELETONa network of microtubule fibers within the cytoplasm that holds the cell together, maintains cell shape and helps move organelles around inside the cytoplasm
283262536CENTRIOLEStwo tiny tubular barrel-like structures located in the cytoplasm that separate and take up positions on opposite sides of the nucleus to assist in cell division.
283262537MITOCHONDRIAPowerhouse of the cell, organelle that is the site of ATP (energy) production during aerobic cell respiration
283262538RIBOSOMESTiny organelles made of protein and rRNA that populate the cell cytoplasm and are the site of protein synthesis in the cell. Some cells may contain thousands of them
283262539GOLGI BODYOrganelle in the cell where proteins are folded, then packaged for transport to other parts of the cell or for passage out of the cell through the cell membrane
283262540LYSOSOMESsmall, round organelles containing digestive enzymes and chemicals used to break down certain materials and wastes in the cell
283262541CILIATiny organelles on the outside of some cells shaped like "hairs", that move and help the cell to move or to obtain food. Many protists have them. In humans, cells in our lungs and in the female fallopian tubes possess them.
283262542FLAGELLATiny organelles shaped like whip-like tails found in one-celled organisms that aid the cell in movement. In humans, male sperm contains them.
283262543VACUOLEcell organelle that stores materials such as water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates. Can be quite large in plant cells. Small or absent in animal cells.
283262544CHLOROPLASTThe complex organelle in plant cells that contains chlorophyll, and is the site of Photosynthesis. A plant cell can contain dozens of them.
283262545CHLOROPHYLLThe organic chemical in plants that absorbs sunlight and initiates the process of photosynthesis
283262546PHOTOSYNTHESISProcess by which plant cells use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as sugar
283262547LIGHT REACTIONSPhase of photosynthesis where light energy is captured and converted into compounds that will be used later to produce sugars; results in the splitting of water and release of oxygen
283262548SUNLIGHT, WATER, CO2The three substances plants use in the process of photosynthesis
283262549SUGAR, OXYGENThe two substances produced by plants in the process of Photosynthesis
283262550DARK REACTIONSPhase of photosynthesis where CO2 is absorbed by the plant and assembled into a larger molecule of sugar. Does not require light. Also called the CALVIN CYCLE.
283262551ADP and NADP+Molecules used in both Photosynthesis and Cell Respiration as "electron carriers"; both molecules participate in many reactions and are converted to ATP and NADPH
283262552ATPAdenosine Triphosphate - the key organic molecule made during photosynthesis and cell respiration that serves as the main energy source for cell processes; composed of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and three phosphate groups
283262553ADP(Adenosine Diphosphate) The compound that remains when a phosphate group is removed from ATP, releasing energy. It is the raw material that is converted to ATP during cell respiration and photosynthesis.
283262554Adenine, Ribose, Three Phosphate GroupsThe three specific components in the chemical structure of ATP
283262555GLYCOLYSISfirst step in cellular respiration, in which a molecule of glucose is broken into two molecules of pyruvate and 2 ATP molecules are produced
283262556KREBS/CITRIC ACID CYCLESecond stage in aerobic cell respiration whereby pyruvate molecules are further broken down into CO2, plus two additional ATP molecules plus additional substances that will be used in the last phase of respiration
283262557ELECTRON TRANSPORTThe last stage of aerobic cell respiration whereby oxygen is used by the cell along with "carrier" molecules from earlier stages in respiration, to produce 32 ATP molecules, plus water
28326255836The total number of ATP high energy molecules produced by aerobic cell respiration
283262559SUGAR, OXYGENThe two raw materials used by cells in aerobic respiration
283262560CO2, WATER, 36 ATPThe three products that result in cells from aerobic respiration
283262561ANAEROBIC FERMENTATIONForm of cellular respiration in which cells get the energy they need through the breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen. Will produce lactic acid or alcohol as end-products
283262562LACTIC ACIDA main waste product produced by animal cells during anaerobic respiration in the absence of oxygen. It causes burning pain in muscles.
283269443GENEA portion of a DNA molecule that codes for the manufacture of proteins, or other cell traits
283269444JUNK DNAThat portion of the DNA genome in all living cells that does not appear to code for anything; inactive. Accumulates in cell DNA through inheritance from distant ancestors and through mutations
283269445PROMOTERS, SUPPRESSORSSpecific sections of DNA that appear to control the activity of other DNA genes; they can turn on genes or turn them off
283269446TRANSCRIPTIONThe process whereby whole or partial sections of DNA are copied and fabricated into mRNA inside the nucleus
283269447DNA REPLICATIONThe process by which an entire strand of DNA is copied and duplicated, just prior to the beginning of cell division (Mitosis or Meiosis)
283269448mRNA (Messenger RNA)The complimentary strand of RNA that is produced inside the nucleus when a section of a DNA gene is copied and transcribed. It will pass out of the nucleus through a nuclear pore and be used by ribosomes as a template to make proteins
283269449tRNA (Transfer RNA)The form of RNA floating freely in the cytosol that has amino acids attached to it. Will be grabbed and used by ribosomes during protein synthesis to make proteins
283269450CODONA specific sequence of three adjacent bases on a strand of mRNA that provides a ribosome with genetic code information for a particular amino acid
283269451ANTICODONA sequence of three bases of a tRNA molecule that pairs with the complementary three-nucleotide codon of an mRNA molecule during protein synthesis.
283269452START CODONA specific codon (AUG) that signals to ribosomes to begin the assembly of a protein
283269453STOP CODONA specific codon that signals to ribosomes to end the assembly of a protein. There are three different ones.
283269617BIOLOGYThe science of the study of life
283276246GENOMEThe complete set of DNA instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes.
283276247HUMAN GENOME PROJECTcompleted worldwide scientific effort to determine the nucleotide sequence of the entire human DNA genome
284238851TRANSLATIONThe process by which mRNA enters the ribosome and is used as a template for tRNA to form a chain of amino acids. This produces a protein.
286758073HelicaseThe enzyme used by cells to uncoil the DNA double Helix into two separate strands inside the nucleus prior to DNA replication
286758074DNA PolymeraseThe enzyme used by cells in the nucleus to copy one side of an unwound DNA strand and assemble a complimentary matching DNA strand
291361510RNA PolymeraseThe enzyme in the nucleus that unwinds the DNA double helix to expose a gene section, and makes a complimentary copy of mRNA from that gene
436327205AlcoholAn end-product of anaerobic fermentation, produced particularly by yeast cells in the absence of oxygen
4363693732, 8, 18, 32How many electrons each of the first four shells in atoms can hold?
436369374GlycogenA form of starch polysaccharide made by animal cells, particularly in the liver of mammals. Quickly breaks up into individual glucose units when needed for energy.
436384930CALVIN CYCLEPhase of photosynthesis where CO2 is absorbed by the plant and assembled into a larger molecule of sugar. Does not require light. Also called the "Dark Reactions"
436390257Temperature, pH, concentrationThe three physical characteristics that affect the speed at which an enzyme functions
436390258Denaturationa structural change in a protein/enzyme that results in a loss of its biological properties

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