Evolution
In this process, individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing.
natural selection
his cellular process involves the decoding of genetic information from mRNA to assemble amino acids into a specific sequence, resulting in the creation of a functional molecule.
protein synthesis
The process by which an organism maintains a stable internal environment despite external changes is known as __________.
homeostasis
In females, a chemical signal regulates the menstrual cycle and helps prepare the body for pregnancy, while in males, another chemical promotes the development of sperm and secondary sexual characteristics. These substances are essential for the proper functioning of the reproductive system.
estrogen and testosterone
The variety of different species, ecosystems, and genetic variations within an area is known as __________. It is important for ecosystem stability and resilience.
biodiversity
The preserved remains or traces of organisms from the past provide evidence of evolution and show how species have changed over time. These are known as __________.
fossil records
These biological catalysts speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required. They are not consumed in the reaction and can be used repeatedly. Their function is highly dependent on factors like temperature, pH, and substrate concentration.
enzymes
These two systems work together to ensure that the body can quickly respond to changes in the environment. One transmits electrical signals to the brain, while the other transports oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to cells throughout the body.
nervous and circulatory systems
This type of cell division reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four genetically unique daughter cells, and is crucial for sexual reproduction.
meiosis
As energy moves through an ecosystem from producers to various levels of consumers, about 90% of the energy is lost as heat, and only a small fraction is passed on to the next level. This principle helps explain why there are fewer individuals at higher trophic levels.
the 10% rule
An evolutionary tree shows how species are related to one another based on shared traits. The point where two branches split represents the species' __________, from which both evolved.
recent common ancestor
During photosynthesis, light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into a molecule that stores energy for the plant. This molecule is essential for cellular processes and is produced in the final stage of photosynthesis.
glucose
This process helps maintain stability in the body by counteracting changes. For example, when body temperature rises, mechanisms like sweating are triggered to cool the body down, restoring normal temperature levels.
negative feedback loop
This type of cell division results in two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. It is essential for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction.
mitosis
This process helps reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by converting it into organic compounds, which are then used by plants for growth. This plays a critical role in regulating atmospheric carbon levels and is the foundation of the carbon cycle.
photosynthesis
The process of sexual reproduction involves the mixing of genes from two parents, leading to new combinations of traits. This process is important for evolution because it increases the differences in traits among individuals in a population, which helps it adapt to changes in the environment.
genetic variation
In cellular respiration, glucose is broken down through a series of reactions, and the majority of the molecule produced in the final stage is used for cellular processes. This molecule is essential for driving many cellular functions, including muscle contraction and active transport.
ATP
The ________________ releases hormones like insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels. It is part of the __________ system, which regulates hormone production and secretion throughout the body.
pancreas and the endocrine system
During early development, unspecialized cells in the embryo gradually become specialized to form different types of tissues and organs. This process is essential for the formation of distinct cell types with specific functions.
cell differentiation
When excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves in seawater, it leads to a decrease in pH, disrupting marine ecosystems. This process threatens the survival of marine organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to form shells and skeletons.
ocean acidification
In a population of bacteria exposed to antibiotics, some bacteria undergo a genetic mutation that makes them resistant to the drug. Over time, these bacteria become more common in the population, while the non-resistant ones decrease in number. This is an example of how a beneficial mutation can lead to the __________.
better adapted survive and reproduce
These large molecules are essential for life and include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. They are made up of smaller subunits and perform a wide range of functions, such as catalyzing reactions, storing genetic information, and providing structure.
macromolecules
During blood clotting, the activation of clotting factors leads to the production of more clotting factors, which accelerates the process and forms a clot quickly. This type of response, where the product of a reaction enhances its own production, is an example of __________.
positive feedback
The process by which specific genes are turned on or off in response to environmental or developmental cues is called __________. For example, the ability to digest lactose is controlled by turning on a gene responsible for lactase production, which can be influenced by __________, a process that can silence or activate genes by adding chemical groups to DNA.
gene expression and methylation
These organisms play a vital role in ecosystems, releasing nitrogen back into the soil as ammonia, which can then be transformed into forms usable by plants. This process is an essential step in the nitrogen cycle.
decomposers