Climate Change
What is the primary cause of climate change?
The burning of fossil fuels, which increases greenhouse gas emissions.
What is a mutation?
A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in traits.
What is an example in the body of maintaining homeostasis?
Sweating to cool down the body temperature.
What is adaptation?
A trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
What does it mean for a trait to be dominant?
A dominant trait will express itself even if only one allele is present.
How does deforestation contribute to climate change?
It reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO₂, increasing atmospheric carbon levels.
What effect can a silent mutation have on an organism?
It may not change the protein produced, often having no observable effect.
How do kidneys help in homeostasis?
They filter blood to regulate water and electrolyte (salt) balance.
What is the importance of genetic variation in a population?
Genetic variation increases the chances of survival and adaptation in changing environments.
How do Punnett squares help predict genetic outcomes?
They show possible combinations of alleles from parents, illustrating the likelihood of offspring traits.
Describe how urbanization can impact local ecosystems.
Urbanization can lead to habitat destruction, pollution, and increased resource consumption.
How do point mutations differ from larger mutations?
Point mutations affect a single nucleotide, while larger mutations can involve large segments of DNA.
What role does the endocrine system play in homeostasis?
It releases hormones that regulate various bodily functions, maintaining balance.
What is the concept of survival of the fittest?
It means that organisms best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?
Genotype is the genetic makeup, while phenotype is the observable expression of traits.
What is the greenhouse effect?
It is the process by which certain gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming.
What is a frameshift mutation, and how does it affect protein synthesis?
A frameshift mutation shifts the reading frame of the gene, often resulting in a completely different and nonfunctional protein.
Describe how the body responds to high blood sugar.
The pancreas releases insulin, helping cells absorb glucose and lower blood sugar levels.
How can behavioral adaptations help species survive?
They enable organisms to respond to environmental challenges, such as finding food or avoiding predators.
What role do alleles play in genetics?
Alleles are different versions of a gene that determine specific traits.
How do changes in ocean temperatures affect global weather patterns?
They can disrupt normal weather patterns, leading to more extreme weather events.
Explain how mutations can be beneficial to a population.
Beneficial mutations can enhance survival and reproduction, leading to evolutionary advantages.
How do feedback mechanisms function in maintaining homeostasis?
They detect changes and trigger responses to counteract changes from a set point.
What is speciation, and how does it occur?
Speciation is the process by which new species arise, often due to geographic, reproductive, or temporal isolation leading to genetic divergence.
How can genetic variation appear in a population?
Through mutations, gene flow, and sexual reproduction, leading to diverse traits among individuals.