question

Natural Selection

answer

Process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully; also called survival of the fittest

question

Lyell

answer

Considered the 'father of uniformitarianism' - belief that the earth was old, and catastrophism happened slowly

question

Population Genetics

answer

The study of genetic changes in populations; the science of microevolutionary changes in populations.

question

Sexual Recombination

answer

New organisms are created from a relatively small number of alleles, result of sexual reproduction

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Cline

answer

Americn geneticist who succeeded in transferring a functioning gene from one mouse to another (born in 1934)

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Reproductive Isolation

answer

Separation of species or populations so that they cannot interbreed and produce fertile offspring

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Taxonomy

answer

Practice of classifying plants and animals according to their presumed natural relationships

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Artificial Selection

answer

Selection by humans for breeding of useful traits from the natural variation among different organisms

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Modern Synthesis

answer

A comprehensive theory of evolution that incorporates genetics and includes most of Darwin's ideas, focusing on populations as the fundamental units of evolution.

question

Genetic Drift

answer

The gradual changes in gene frequencies in a population due to random events

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Fitness

answer

Ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment

question

Prezygotic Barriers

answer

A reproductive barrier that impedes mating between species or hinders fertilization if interspecific mating is attempted

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Fossils

answer

The perserved trace, imprint, or remains of a plant or animal

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Binomial Nomenclature

answer

Classification system in which each species is assigned a two-part scientific name

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Population

answer

the act of populating (causing to live in a place)

question

Bottleneck Effect

answer

Genetic drift resulting from the reduction of a population, typically by a natural disaster, such that the surviving population is no longer genetically representative of the original population.

question

Directional Selection

answer

Form of natural selection in which the entire curve moves; occurs when individuals at one end of a distribution curve have higher fitness than individuals in the middle or at the other end of the curve

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Post-zygotic Barriers

answer

reduced hybrid viability: offspring's development is impaired. reduced hybrid fertility: offspring is sterile. hybrid breakdown: 2nd generation hybrids are not viable and/or fertile

question

Sedimentary Rocks

answer

Rocks formed from the weathering, erosion, depostion, and compaction of other rocks

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Homology

answer

the quality of being similar or corresponding in position or value or structure or function

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Hardy-Weinbery Equilibrium

answer

1. evolution does not occur, because allelic frequencies never change 2. genotypic frequencies can be predicted from allelic frequencies

question

Founder Effect

answer

change in allele frequencies as a result of the migration of a small subgroup of a population

question

Stabilizing Selection

answer

form of natural selection by which the center of the curve remains in its current position; occurs when individuals near the center of a distribution curve have higher fitness than individuals at either end

question

Allopatric Speciation

answer

The formation of a new species as a result of an ancestral population's becoming isolated by a geographic barrier.

question

Lamark's Theory

answer

Hypothesized that species evolve through use and disuse of body parts and the inheritance of acquired characteristics. Unsupported

question

Vestigial Organs

answer

organ that serves no useful function in an organism

question

Gene Pool

answer

combined genetic information of all the members of a particular population

question

Gene Flow

answer

exchange of genes between populations

question

Disruptive Selection

answer

form of natural selection in which a single curve splits into two; occurs when individuals at the upper and lower ends of a distribution curve have higher fitness than individuals near the middle

question

Sympathetic Speciation

answer

Occurs when species evolves into a new species in an area without a geographic barrier.

question

Gradualism

answer

The theory that evolution occurs slowly but steadily

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Molecular Homologies

answer

homology of the genes and DNA between species due to a common ancestor

question

Mutations

answer

changes in the genetic material

question

Phenotypic Polymorphism

answer

The existence of two or more distinct morphs (discrete forms), each represented in a population in high enough frequencies to be readily noticeable

question

Heterozygote Advantage

answer

Greater reproductive success of heterozygous individuals compared to homozygotes; tends to preserve variation in gene pools.

question

Adaptive Radiation

answer

the development of many different forms from an originally homogeneous group of organisms as they fill different ecological niches

question

Paleontology

answer

the earth science that studies fossil organisms and related remains

question

Biogeography

answer

dealing with the geographical distribution of animals and plants

question

Point Mutations

answer

gene mutations involving changes in one or a few nucleotides

question

Genetic Polymorphism

answer

The existence of two or more distinct alleles at a given locus in a population's gene pool.

question

Sexual Selection

answer

A form of natural selection in which individuals with certain inherited characteristics are more likely than other individuals to obtain mates.

question

Macroevolution

answer

evolution on a large scale extending over geologic era and resulting in the formation of new taxonomic groups

question

Catastrophism

answer

a principle that states that geologic change occurs suddenly

question

Microevolution

answer

evolution resulting from small specific genetic changes that can lead to a new subspecies

question

Gene Duplication

answer

a mutation leading to the production of an extra copy of a gene locus, usually resulting from unequal crossing over. (source of new genes, allows new DNA to mutate and potentially gain new functions)

question

Geographic Variation

answer

Differences between the gene pools of geographically separate populations or population subgroups.

question

Homeotic genes

answer

Any of the genes that control the overall body plan of animals by controlling the developmental fate of groups of cells.

question

Compound

answer

an enclosure of residences and other building (especially in the Orient)

question

Nonpolar Covalent Bonds

answer

bonds in which electrons are shared equally between two atoms of the same element in a compound.

question

Reactants

answer

the elements or compounds that enter into a chemical reaction

question

Atomic Structure

answer

The atom consists of three component parts: Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons.

question

Ion/Ionic Bond

answer

an atom or groups of atoms having an electrical charge because of the loss or gain of electrons.

question

Products

answer

the elements or compounds produced by a chemical reaction

question

Atomic Mass

answer

(chemistry) the mass (in atomic mass units) of an isotope of an element

question

Hydrogen Bond

answer

a chemical bond consisting of a hydrogen atom between two electronegative atoms (e.g., oxygen or nitrogen) with one side be a covalent bond and the other being an ionic bond

question

Electrons

answer

negatively charged particles

question

Radioactive Isotope

answer

isotope in which the nucleus decays (breaks down) over time, giving off radiation in the form of matter and energy

question

Protons

answer

positively charged particles

question

Electron Energy

answer

Strength of an attachment of an electron

question

Neutrons

answer

the particles of the nucleus that have no charge

question

Potential Energy

answer

the mechanical energy that a body has by virtue of its position

question

Atomic Number

answer

the order of an element in Mendeleyev's table of the elements

question

Electron Shells

answer

An energy level representing the distance of an electron from the nucleus of an atom.

question

Polar Covalent Bonds

answer

a type of covalent bond between atoms that differ in electronegativity. the shared electrons are pulled closer to the more electronegative atom. making one slightly negative and the other slightly positive

question

Valence Electrons

answer

electrons on the outermost energy level of an atom

question

Functional Groups

answer

A specific configuration of atoms commonly attached to the carbon skeletons of organic molecules and usually involved in chemical reactions.

question

Carbohydrates

answer

The starches and sugars present in foods

question

Lipids

answer

energy-rich organic compounds, such as fats, oils, and waxes, that are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

question

Proteins

answer

Macromolecules that contain nitrogen as well as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

question

Nucleic Acids

answer

DNA and RNA

question

Carbon

answer

an abundant nonmetallic tetravalent element occurring in three allotropic forms: amorphous carbon and graphite and diamond

question

Amino

answer

the radical -NH2

question

Starch

answer

a complex carbohydrate found chiefly in seeds, fruits, tubers, roots and stem pith of plants, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice

question

Enzymes

answer

proteins that act as biological catalysts

question

Organic Chemistry

answer

the chemistry of compounds containing carbon (originally defined as the chemistry of substances produced by living organisms but now extended to substances synthesized artificially)

question

Sulfhydryl

answer

-SH

question

Glycogen

answer

one form in which body fuel is stored

question

Catalyst

answer

something that causes an important event to happen

question

Hydrocarbons

answer

organic molecules that are composed of only carbon and hydrogen

question

Phosphate

answer

carbonated drink with fruit syrup and a little phosphoric acid

question

Cellulose

answer

a polysaccharide that is the chief constituent of all plant tissues and fibers

question

Structural Isomers

answer

Compounds that have the same molecular formula but differ in the covalent arrangements of their atoms.

question

ATP

answer

a nucleotide derived from adenosine that occurs in muscle tissue

question

Chitin

answer

a tough semitransparent horny substance

question

Amino acid

answer

organic compounds containing an amino group and a carboxylic acid group

question

Geometric Isomers

answer

Compounds that have the same molecular formula but differ in the spatial arrangements of their atoms.

question

Polymer

answer

a naturally occurring or synthetic compound consisting of large molecules made up of a linked series of repeated simple monomers

question

Lipids

answer

energy-rich organic compounds, such as fats, oils, and waxes, that are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

question

Peptide Bond

answer

the primary linkage of all protein structures

question

Enantiomers

answer

molecules that are mirror images of each other

question

Dehydration Reaction

answer

A chemical reaction in which two molecules covalently bond to each other with the removal of a water molecule.

question

Fatty Acid

answer

any of a class of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids that form part of a lipid molecule and can be derived from fat by hydrolysis

question

Monosaccharides

answer

single sugar molecules

question

Saturated fat

answer

fat in which all three fatty acid chains contain the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms

question

Primary structure

answer

The level of protein structure referring to the specific sequence of amino acids.

question

Hydroxyl

answer

the monovalent group -OH in such compounds as bases and some acids and alcohols

question

Disaccharide

answer

any of a variety of carbohydrates that yield two monosaccharide molecules on complete hydrolysis

question

Unsaturated fats

answer

fats that remain liquid at room temperature

question

Secondary structure

answer

The second level of protein structure; the regular local patterns of coils or folds of a polypeptide chain.

question

Carboxyl

answer

the univalent radical -COOH

question

Glycosidic linkage

answer

A covalent bond formed between two monosaccharides by a dehydration reaction.

question

Phospholipids

answer

A molecule that is a constituent of the inner bilayer of biological membranes, having a polar, hydrophilic head and a nonpolar, hydrophobic tail.

question

Tertiary Structure

answer

The third level of protein structure; the overall, three-dimensional shape of a polypeptide due to interactions of the R groups of the amino acids making up the chain.

question

Carbonyl

answer

a compound containing metal combined with carbon monoxide

question

Cholesterol

answer

an animal sterol that is normally synthesized by the liver

question

Quaternary Structure

answer

The fourth level of protein structure; the shape resulting from the association of two or more polypeptide subunits.

question

Sickle Cell Disease

answer

A human genetic disease caused by a recessive allele that results in the substitution of a single amino acid in the hemoglobin protein; characterized by deformed red blood cells that can lead to numerous symptoms.

question

Denaturation

answer

loss of normal shape of a protein due to heat or other factor

question

DNA

answer

(biochemistry) a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix

question

RNA

answer

(biochemistry) a long linear polymer of nucleotides found in the nucleus but mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell where it is associated with microsomes

question

Nucleotide

answer

a phosphoric ester of a nucleoside

question

Purines

answer

adenine and guanine

question

Pyramidines

answer

T&C are _____, have only one ring

question

Antiparallel

answer

(especially of vectors) parallel but oppositely directed

question

Polar Molecule

answer

molecule with an unequal distribution of charge, resulting in the molecule having a positive end and a negative end

question

Solute

answer

the dissolved substance in a solution

question

Base

answer

a support or foundation

question

Cohesion

answer

the state of cohering or sticking together

question

Aqueous Solution

answer

a solution in water

question

pH Scale

answer

(chemistry) p(otential of) H(ydrogen)

question

Adhesion

answer

faithful support for a religion or cause or political party

question

Hydration Shell

answer

The sphere of water molecules around each dissolved ion

question

Buffers

answer

weak acids or bases that can react with strong acids or bases to prevent sharp, sudden changes in pH

question

Surface Tension

answer

a phenomenon at the surface of a liquid caused by intermolecular forces

question

Hydrophillic

answer

water loving

question

Hydrophobic

answer

lacking affinity for water

question

Specific Heat

answer

the heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance one degree centigrade

question

Molarity

answer

concentration measured by the number of moles of solute per liter of solvent

question

Heat of Vaporization

answer

heat absorbed by a unit mass of a material at its boiling point in order to convert the material into a gas at the same temperature

question

pH-H Ion

answer

A measure of hydrogen ion concentration equal to -log [H+] and ranging in value from 0-14

question

Solvent

answer

a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem

question

Acids

answer

compounds that form hydrogen ions when dissolved in water

question

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

answer

System of internal membranes within the cytoplasm. Membranes are rough due to the presence of ribosomes. functions in transport of substances such as proteins within the cytoplasm

question

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

answer

An endomembrane system where lipids are synthesized, calcium levels are regulated, and toxic substances are broken down.

question

Golgi Apparatus

answer

a net-like structure in the cytoplasm of animal cells (especially in those cells that produce secretions)

question

Mitochondria

answer

Powerhouse of the cell, organelle that is the site of ATP (energy) production

question

Chloroplasts

answer

organelles that capture the energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy in a process called photosynthesis

question

Secretory Vesicles

answer

contain secretions that will be discharged from the cell these vesicles will perform exocytosis (fusing with the plasma membrane to empty contents)

question

Ribosomes

answer

Make proteins

question

Flagella

answer

whiplike tails found in one-celled organisms to aid in movement

question

Centrioles

answer

two tiny structures located in the cytoplasm near the nuclear envelope

question

Cilia

answer

short structures projecting from a cell and containing bundles of microtubules that move a cell through its surroundings or move fluid over the cell's surface

question

Integral Proteins

answer

Typically transmembrane proteins with hydrophobic regions that completely span the hydrophobic interior of the membrane.

question

Peripheral Proteins

answer

Protein appendages loosely bound to the surface of the membrane and not embedded in the lipid bilayer.

question

Phospholipid

answer

any of various compounds composed of fatty acids and phosphoric acid and a nitrogenous base

question

Passive Diffusion

answer

The movement of substances into or out of cells without the expenditure of energy or the involvement of transport proteins in the cell membrane. Also called simple diffusion.

question

Active Diffusion

answer

movement from LOW to High areas of concentration. Requires enegry

question

Active Transport

answer

transport of a substance (as a protein or drug) across a cell membrane against the concentration gradient

question

Activation Energy

answer

the energy that an atomic system must acquire before a process (such as an emission or reaction) can occur

question

Free Energy

answer

energy that is available to do work

question

Interphase

answer

the period of the cell cycle during which the nucleus is not undergoing division, typically occurring between mitotic or meiotic divisions

question

Prophase

answer

first and longest phase of mitosis, during which the chromosomes become visible and the centrioles separate and take up positions on the opposite sides of the nucleus

question

Metaphase

answer

the stage in mitosis or meiosis in which the duplicated chromosomes line up along the equatorial plate of the spindle

question

Anaphase

answer

the stage of meiosis or mitosis when chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle

question

Telophase

answer

the final stage of meiosis when the chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle

question

Mitosis

answer

cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes

question

Meiosis

answer

(genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms

question

Eukaryotes

answer

cells that contain nuclei

question

Prokaryotes

answer

cells that do NOT contain nuclei

question

Endosymbiotic Theory

answer

theory that eukaryotic cells formed from a symbiosis among several different prokaryotic organisms

question

Transcription

answer

(genetics) the organic process whereby the DNA sequence in a gene is copied into mRNA

question

Translation

answer

(genetics) the process whereby genetic information coded in messenger RNA directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome in the cytoplasm

question

Lac Operon

answer

a gene system whose operator gene and three structural genes control lactose metabolism in E. coli

question

Triptophan

answer

an amino acid which can be deaminated to form a pyruvate for use in the glycolytic pathway

question

Gene Expression

answer

conversion of the information encoded in a gene first into messenger RNA and then to a protein

question

Monohybrid Crosses

answer

Crosses that examine the inheritance of only one specific trait

question

Dihybrid Crosses

answer

crosses that examine the inheritance of two different traits

question

Sex-linked traits

answer

traits that are inherited with sex chromosomes

question

Multiple Alleles

answer

three or more forms of a gene that code for a single trait

question

Chi Square

answer

test of statistical significance for categorical date; non-parametric

question

Incomplete Dominance

answer

one allele is not completely dominant over the other allele

question

Codominance

answer

Situation in which both alleles of a gene contribute to the phenotype of the organism

question

G1

answer

first phase of interphase; cell grows in size

question

G0

answer

non-dividing, \"resting\" stage of interphase

question

S Phase

answer

The synthesis phase of the cell cycle; the portion of interphase during which DNA is replicated.

question

G2

answer

The final period of interphase during which the cell prepares for mitosis.

question

M Phase

answer

the phase of the cell cycle that includes mitosis and cytokinesis

AP Bio – Midterm Study Guide

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