Final Biology Review

Front

What do you call all of the chemical reactions of a living thing?

Back

Metabolism: The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within a living organism to maintain life.

Front

The amount of energy expected to be transferred from one trophic level to another is ___?

Back

10%: Typically, only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next level in an energy pyramid.

Front

A structure that no longer serves a purpose in the current organism, but may have had a purpose in an ancestor (Example: human tailbone).

Back

Vestigial Structure: A remnant of a structure that was functional in an organism's ancestors but is no longer useful.

Front

In this energy pyramid, which organisms have the most energy available?

Back

Producers: Organisms that produce energy through photosynthesis, such as plants, are at the base of the energy pyramid and have the most energy.

Front

What do you call a change in an organism's DNA?

Back

Mutation: A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene.

Front

What is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy?

Back

Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Front

What is the term for the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem?

Back

Biodiversity: The variety of living species, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

Front

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers: Organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms, returning nutrients to the soil.

Front

What is the term for the relationship between two species where both benefit?

Back

Mutualism: A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

Front

What do you call the maximum population size that an environment can sustain?

Back

Carrying Capacity: The largest number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support sustainably.