Living Environment Regents Study Guide – Flashcards

What is seen or measured.

A conclusion based on observation or evidence.

An untested prediction. A good hypothesis states both cause and effect.

A broad explanation of natural events that is supported by strong evidence.

Compares the results of an experiment between two or more groups.

Group being tested or receiving treatment.

“Normal” group. Should be identical to experimental group in every way except one: it does not receive the treatment.

A sugar pill or other “fake” treatment given to the control group so subjects do not know which one they are in.

Variable that is being tested. In a graph the independent varible is always plotted on the X axis.

Variable that is measured at the end of an experiment; The dependent variable is always plotted on the Y axis.

1. Can be repeated by anyone and get the same results.
2. Have large sample size/many test subjects.
3. Are performed for longer periods of time.
4. Test only one variable.
5. Are peer reviewed- examined by several scientists to determine its accuracy.
6. Does not have to agree with the hypothesis-A scientist’s guess is allowed to be incorrect–and usually is.
7. Is objective- the experiment and conclusion are fair and unbiased. Fact and opinion are not mixed.

1. Nutrition
2. Excretion
3. Transport
4. Synthesis
5. Growth
6. Respiration
7. Regulation
8. Reproduction

Autotrophs are organisms that make their own food, while heterotrophs eat other organisms.

Carried out by plants, algae, and blue-green bacteria (autotrophs). It takes the radiant energy of the sun and puts it in the bonds of sugar molecules. Photosynthesis occurs mostly in the chloroplast of plant cells.

Small holes in the leaves of plants, that let them exchange the gasses used in photosynthesis.

Open up and close the stomates in plants.

Organisms get energy by breaking up the bonds of sugar molecules. The released energy is used to make a molecule of ATP.

(adenosine triphosphate) main energy source that cells use for most of their work.

Requires oxygen, and yields more ATP for a molecule of sugar than anaerobic respiration.

Respiration that does not require oxygen. Does not yield as much ATP for a molecule of sugar as aerobic respiration.

They are opposite reactions! They are also important in cycling oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and water through the environment.

The movement of molecules from high concentrations to low concentrations. Requires no energy (passive transport).

Requires the use of energy, usually moving molecules from low concentrations to high concentrations (against the flow of diffusion).

Diffusion of water into or out of the cell. If water diffuses into the cell, the cell swells (gets larger) and may burst. If it loses water (being put in salt water for example) it will shrivel up.

Coordination and control of other life functions.

Change in the environment that you respond to.

Nerve cell.

Electrical signal carried by the nerves.

Chemicals that help carry out impulses.

Chemical signal secreted by different glands in the body. Examples include insulin, adrenaline, testosterone, and estrogen.

Proteins on the surface of the cell membrane that receive signals from the nervous and endocrine system. These are needed for your cells to communicate and work together.

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen. They are the most common elements in living things.

Have Carbon AND Hydrogen. Organic molecules are larger than inorganic molecules.

Sugars and starches. All carbohydrates are made from simple sugars like glucose, and they supply energy.

Store energy and include fats, oils, and waxes. They are made from fatty acids and glycerol.

Made from amino acids. They also make hormones and many body and cell structures.
– it is the shape and how they fit together that determines what they can do.

– make enzymes
– make receptor molecules on the cell membrane
– make antibodies
-make hormones

Affect hte rated of chemical reactions

One type of enzyme fits one type of molecule. Change its shape and the enzyme will no longer work.

Cause proteins and enzymes to lose their shape so that they no longer work properly. This is why high fevers are dangerous.

The pH scale measure the strengths of acids and bases. a low pH (0-6.9) is acidic and a high pH (7.1-14) is a base, and 7 is neutral (water).

Basic units of life. All living things (except viruses) are made of cells. Specialized into tissues.

All living things are made of cells.

1) have cell wall which is essential for protection of the cell and maintenance of the shape and water balance. 2) have chlorophyll/chloroplasts which is essential for photosynthesis. 3) large central vacuole which are compartments in the cytoplasm that act as places for secretion, excretion and storage.

1) lacks cell wall 2) lacks chloroplasts 3) lacks large central vacuole

Made of lipids and proteins. It shows selective permeability-that is only some molecules can pass through it (typically small molecules like water and oxygen). Large molecules like starch or protein need to be moved by active transport.

Organisms are classified mostly by evolutionary history. Thos with common ancestors are grouped together.

Large groups of related organisms.

Able to successfully reproduce alongside its members.

Groups of specialized cells to do certain jobs. For example, muscle and nerve tissues. Work together to form organs.

Occurs mostly because only some genes in the nucleus of a cell are “turned on”. Almost every cells has a complete set of genes, but on those needed for the cells particular job are active. So while red blood cells have all the genetic information needed to make nerve cells, bone cells and skin cells, all those genes are turned off, and only the red blood cell genes are turned on.

Work together in an organ system.

Food is broken down so that it is small enough to enter the body tissues/cells. A one way passage through the body that includes the mouth, stomach, and intestines.
– Food is moved through the digetive system by muscular contractions.
– Food is broken down mechanically and chemically.
– Undigested food is eliminated as a solid waste.

– Moves materials through the body such as water, waste, hormones, and nutrients.

Carry oxygen

Fight diseases. Main components of the immune system. DIfferent white blood cells have different roles.

The fluid of the blood. It transports everything except oxygen.

Clot the blood.

Protects the body against pathogens.

Types of pathogens include diseases, viruses, and parasites.

Cause an immune response.

Proteins made by the white blood cells to attack antigens. Each antibody attacks a specific antigen as determined by its shape.

– Blood Type O is a universal donor
– Blood Type AB is a universal receiver

An injection of a dead or weakened pathogen. This causes the body to make antibodies against that pathogen. They only prevent diseases… they are not cures.

Drugs used to stop infections by bacteria. Antibiotics will not work against viruses.

Physical respiration (breathing) provides oxygen needed for chemical respiration (which releases energy from sugar).

Muscle that allows breathing to occur.

Where the oxygen enters the blood and CO2 leaves. They look like microscopic sacs surrounded by capillaries.

– removes metabolic waste from the body.
– your body excretes salt, water, urea, and CO2.
– Lungs excrete CO2 and water and the skin excrete sweat.
– Kidneys filter waste from blood and absorb nutrients.
– Liver filters toxins and dead red blood cells from the blood.

Regulates your body along with the endocrine system.

Controls reflexes and bring impulses from the nerves to the brains.

Area of the brain responsible for all voluntary activities of the body

The “little brain” attached to the rear of the brainstem; its functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

lower or hindmost part of the brain

Regulates body along with the nervous system. Slower but with longer lasting effects.

Makes insulin and glucagon which control blood sugar levels.