BIO WGU STUDY FOR OA C190
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Adaptation-\-\The\adjustment\or\changes\in\behavior,\physiology,\and\structure\of\an\
organism\to\become\more\suited\to\an\environment.
Aerobic-\-\A\process\that\requires\oxygen.
Allele\-An\alternative\form\of\a\gene.\An\example\would\be\genes\that\encode\eye\color—
some\encode\blue\eyes\(one\allele),\while\others\encode\brown,\green,\or\hazel\eye\
colors\(other\alleles).\-\
amino\acids\-\-\A\small\organic\molecule\with\the\structure\of\an\amino\group,\a\carboxylic\
acid\group,\and\an\"R"\group,\which\are\all\bonded\to\a\single\central\carbon\atom.\The\
difference\between\the\"R"\group\is\what\distinguishes\one\amino\acid\from\another.\
Amino\acids\are\the\building\blocks\of\proteins.
Anaerobic-\-\A\process\that\occurs\without\oxygen.
Anaphase-\-\A\stage\within\the\mitosis\phase\of\cell\division\(also\known\as\cell\
reproduction).\Anaphase\starts\when\sister\chromatids\separate\from\each\other\and\
ends\when\each\set\of\separated,\sister\chromatids\arrives\at\the\opposite\poles\of\the\
cell.
anaphase\I-\-\The\third\stage\of\Meiosis\I—the\two\homologous\chromosomes\separate\
and\migrate\toward\opposite\poles.
anaphase\II-\-\The\third\stage\in\Meiosis\II—the\centromeres\separate\and\the\sister\
chromatids\(now\individual\chromosomes)\move\toward\the\opposite\poles\of\the\cell.
artificial\selection-\-\Deliberate\mating\between\two\individuals\who\were\selected\based\
on\desired\traits.
asexual\reproduction\-\-\A\type\of\reproduction\where\genetically\identical\offspring\are\
created\from\a\single\parent.\This\type\of\reproduction\does\not\utilize\meiosis\or\
gametes.\Bacteria
,and\fungi\are\examples\of\organisms\that\reproduce\in\this\manner.\-\
Atom-\-\The\basic\unit\of\matter\that\cannot\be\further\broken\down\without\losing\its\
unique\properties.\One\atom\consists\of\a\dense\nucleus\surrounded\by\a\cloud\of\
electrons.
Autosomal-\-\Describes\a\trait\associated\with\alleles\located\on\autosomes\(non\sex\
chromosomes).
autosomal\chromosome-\-\A\chromosome\not\involved\in\sex\determination.
biogeochemical\cycle-\-\The\processes\that\transfer\chemical\elements\between\biotic\
and\abiotic\components\in\an\ecosystem.\There\are\several\main\cycles:\the\water\cycle,\
the\carbon\cycle,\the\nitrogen\cycle,\and\the\phosphorus\cycle.
Biome-\-\A\large\naturally\occurring\community\of\plants\and\animals\occupying\a\major\
habitat.\Examples\include\tropical\forest\and\arctic\tundra.
Biomes-\-\A\pattern\of\distribution\of\ecosystems\across\the\globe,\where\similar\
environmental\conditions\lead\to\similar\animal\and\plant\adaptations.\Examples\of\
biomes\include\tropical\rainforests,\deserts,\and\tundra.
biosphere-\-\All\areas\on,\within,\and\around\the\planet\Earth\that\are\capable\of\
supporting\life.
Calvin\cycle\(Calvin-Ben\-\son\cycle\or\light-independent\reaction)-\The\set\of\chemical\
reactions\that\take\place\in\chloroplasts\during\photosynthesis.\The\cycle\is\light-
independent\because\it\takes\place\after\the\energy\has\been\captured\from\sunlight.\
Also\called\Calvin-Benson\Cycle,\Benson-Calvin\Cycle.
Carbohydrates-\-\The\extracellular\surface\of\the\cell\membrane\is\decorated\with\
carbohydrate\groups\attached\to\lipids\and\proteins.\These\short\carbohydrates\play\a\
role\in\giving\a\cell\its\identity\(i.e.,\distinguishing\self\from\non-self)\and\are\the\
distinguishing\factor\in\human\blood\types.
carbon\cycle-\-\The\biogeochemical\cycle\through\which\carbon\flows\between\the\
atmosphere,\water,\land,\and\ecosystems.
cell\cycle-\-\A\series\of\phases\in\the\life\of\the\cell\through\which\it\grows\and\divides.
cell\wall-\-\Protective\and\reinforcing\structure\found\in\certain\cells,\situated\outside\the\
plasma\membrane.\Bacterial\cell\walls\are\mainly\built\of\peptidoglycan,\although\they\
may\also\contain\lipidic\molecules.\Among\eukaryotes,\plants\and\fungi\possess\cell\
walls,\made\of\cellulose\and\chitin,\respectively.
, cellular\respiration-\-\Use\of\oxygen\to\release\energy\from\nutrients;\also\called\aerobic\
respiration.
Centromere-\-\A\specific\section\of\a\chromosome\where\spindle\fibers\attach\during\cell\
division;\also\the\connection\point\of\sister\chromatids.
Chlorophyll-\-\A\plant\pigment\used\to\absorb\light\energy\for\photosynthesis.\Chlorophyll\
gives\plants\their\green\color\because\it\absorbs\red\and\blue\light\particularly\well,\while\
reflecting\green.
Chloroplast-\-\An\organelle\found\in\plants\and\photosynthetic\protists\(single-celled\
eukaryotic\organisms)\that\contain\pigments\such\as\chlorophyl.\Its\primary\function\is\to\
capture\solar\energy\and\convert\it\into\chemical\energy\through\the\process\of\
photosynthesis.\Chloroplast\absorbs\sunlight\energy\and\uses\the\energy\to\power\the\
synthesis\of\organic\food\molecules\(sugars).\A\chloroplast\contains\its\own\DNA\as\a\
single\circular\chromosome.
Sister\Chromatid\-\-\One\of\two\identical\copies\of\a\chromosome\duplicated\during\the\S\
phase\of\the\cell\cycle.\A\centromere\connects\two\sister\chromatids\together.\When\
joined\together,\sister\chromatids\compose\one\chromosome.\Chromatids\are\separated\
from\each\other\during\mitosis\or\meiosis\II.
Citric\acid\cycle-\-\The\2nd\stage\of\aerobic\cellular\respiration\that\occurs\when\acetyl\
CoA\combines\with\a\four-carbon\molecule\and\goes\through\a\cycle\of\reactions,\
ultimately\producing\ATP,\NADH,\FADH2,\and\CO2.
climate\change-\-\It\is\the\full\range\of\climatic\disruptions\that\have\occurred\as\a\
probable\result\of\human\alteration\of\the\atmosphere.\In\other\words,\it\is\recent\climate\
warming—and\weirdness—that\is\probably\caused\by\human\activities\and\technology\
use.
Codominance-\-\A\form\of\dominance\where\both\alleles\of\a\gene\pair\in\a\heterozygote\
are\fully\expressed.\This\results\in\offspring\with\a\phenotype\that\is\neither\dominant\nor\
recessive.\A\typical\example\showing\codominance\is\the\ABO\blood\group\system.
Codons-\-\A\sequence\of\three\nucleotides\in\an\mRNA\molecule\that\specifies\which\
amino\acid\should\be\added\to\a\growing\polypeptide\chain.
Commensalism-\-\A\symbiotic\relationship\in\which\one\species\benefits\and\the\other\
does\not,\but\also\is\not\harmed.
Competition-\-\A\type\of\interspecific\interaction\where\both\species\are\harmed.
complementary\base\pairing-\-\Describes\the\hydrogen\bonding\that\occurs\between\
specific\nucleotides\on\opposing\strands\of\DNA\or\RNA.\In\DNA,\adenine\is\paired\with\
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Adaptation-\-\The\adjustment\or\changes\in\behavior,\physiology,\and\structure\of\an\
organism\to\become\more\suited\to\an\environment.
Aerobic-\-\A\process\that\requires\oxygen.
Allele\-An\alternative\form\of\a\gene.\An\example\would\be\genes\that\encode\eye\color—
some\encode\blue\eyes\(one\allele),\while\others\encode\brown,\green,\or\hazel\eye\
colors\(other\alleles).\-\
amino\acids\-\-\A\small\organic\molecule\with\the\structure\of\an\amino\group,\a\carboxylic\
acid\group,\and\an\"R"\group,\which\are\all\bonded\to\a\single\central\carbon\atom.\The\
difference\between\the\"R"\group\is\what\distinguishes\one\amino\acid\from\another.\
Amino\acids\are\the\building\blocks\of\proteins.
Anaerobic-\-\A\process\that\occurs\without\oxygen.
Anaphase-\-\A\stage\within\the\mitosis\phase\of\cell\division\(also\known\as\cell\
reproduction).\Anaphase\starts\when\sister\chromatids\separate\from\each\other\and\
ends\when\each\set\of\separated,\sister\chromatids\arrives\at\the\opposite\poles\of\the\
cell.
anaphase\I-\-\The\third\stage\of\Meiosis\I—the\two\homologous\chromosomes\separate\
and\migrate\toward\opposite\poles.
anaphase\II-\-\The\third\stage\in\Meiosis\II—the\centromeres\separate\and\the\sister\
chromatids\(now\individual\chromosomes)\move\toward\the\opposite\poles\of\the\cell.
artificial\selection-\-\Deliberate\mating\between\two\individuals\who\were\selected\based\
on\desired\traits.
asexual\reproduction\-\-\A\type\of\reproduction\where\genetically\identical\offspring\are\
created\from\a\single\parent.\This\type\of\reproduction\does\not\utilize\meiosis\or\
gametes.\Bacteria
,and\fungi\are\examples\of\organisms\that\reproduce\in\this\manner.\-\
Atom-\-\The\basic\unit\of\matter\that\cannot\be\further\broken\down\without\losing\its\
unique\properties.\One\atom\consists\of\a\dense\nucleus\surrounded\by\a\cloud\of\
electrons.
Autosomal-\-\Describes\a\trait\associated\with\alleles\located\on\autosomes\(non\sex\
chromosomes).
autosomal\chromosome-\-\A\chromosome\not\involved\in\sex\determination.
biogeochemical\cycle-\-\The\processes\that\transfer\chemical\elements\between\biotic\
and\abiotic\components\in\an\ecosystem.\There\are\several\main\cycles:\the\water\cycle,\
the\carbon\cycle,\the\nitrogen\cycle,\and\the\phosphorus\cycle.
Biome-\-\A\large\naturally\occurring\community\of\plants\and\animals\occupying\a\major\
habitat.\Examples\include\tropical\forest\and\arctic\tundra.
Biomes-\-\A\pattern\of\distribution\of\ecosystems\across\the\globe,\where\similar\
environmental\conditions\lead\to\similar\animal\and\plant\adaptations.\Examples\of\
biomes\include\tropical\rainforests,\deserts,\and\tundra.
biosphere-\-\All\areas\on,\within,\and\around\the\planet\Earth\that\are\capable\of\
supporting\life.
Calvin\cycle\(Calvin-Ben\-\son\cycle\or\light-independent\reaction)-\The\set\of\chemical\
reactions\that\take\place\in\chloroplasts\during\photosynthesis.\The\cycle\is\light-
independent\because\it\takes\place\after\the\energy\has\been\captured\from\sunlight.\
Also\called\Calvin-Benson\Cycle,\Benson-Calvin\Cycle.
Carbohydrates-\-\The\extracellular\surface\of\the\cell\membrane\is\decorated\with\
carbohydrate\groups\attached\to\lipids\and\proteins.\These\short\carbohydrates\play\a\
role\in\giving\a\cell\its\identity\(i.e.,\distinguishing\self\from\non-self)\and\are\the\
distinguishing\factor\in\human\blood\types.
carbon\cycle-\-\The\biogeochemical\cycle\through\which\carbon\flows\between\the\
atmosphere,\water,\land,\and\ecosystems.
cell\cycle-\-\A\series\of\phases\in\the\life\of\the\cell\through\which\it\grows\and\divides.
cell\wall-\-\Protective\and\reinforcing\structure\found\in\certain\cells,\situated\outside\the\
plasma\membrane.\Bacterial\cell\walls\are\mainly\built\of\peptidoglycan,\although\they\
may\also\contain\lipidic\molecules.\Among\eukaryotes,\plants\and\fungi\possess\cell\
walls,\made\of\cellulose\and\chitin,\respectively.
, cellular\respiration-\-\Use\of\oxygen\to\release\energy\from\nutrients;\also\called\aerobic\
respiration.
Centromere-\-\A\specific\section\of\a\chromosome\where\spindle\fibers\attach\during\cell\
division;\also\the\connection\point\of\sister\chromatids.
Chlorophyll-\-\A\plant\pigment\used\to\absorb\light\energy\for\photosynthesis.\Chlorophyll\
gives\plants\their\green\color\because\it\absorbs\red\and\blue\light\particularly\well,\while\
reflecting\green.
Chloroplast-\-\An\organelle\found\in\plants\and\photosynthetic\protists\(single-celled\
eukaryotic\organisms)\that\contain\pigments\such\as\chlorophyl.\Its\primary\function\is\to\
capture\solar\energy\and\convert\it\into\chemical\energy\through\the\process\of\
photosynthesis.\Chloroplast\absorbs\sunlight\energy\and\uses\the\energy\to\power\the\
synthesis\of\organic\food\molecules\(sugars).\A\chloroplast\contains\its\own\DNA\as\a\
single\circular\chromosome.
Sister\Chromatid\-\-\One\of\two\identical\copies\of\a\chromosome\duplicated\during\the\S\
phase\of\the\cell\cycle.\A\centromere\connects\two\sister\chromatids\together.\When\
joined\together,\sister\chromatids\compose\one\chromosome.\Chromatids\are\separated\
from\each\other\during\mitosis\or\meiosis\II.
Citric\acid\cycle-\-\The\2nd\stage\of\aerobic\cellular\respiration\that\occurs\when\acetyl\
CoA\combines\with\a\four-carbon\molecule\and\goes\through\a\cycle\of\reactions,\
ultimately\producing\ATP,\NADH,\FADH2,\and\CO2.
climate\change-\-\It\is\the\full\range\of\climatic\disruptions\that\have\occurred\as\a\
probable\result\of\human\alteration\of\the\atmosphere.\In\other\words,\it\is\recent\climate\
warming—and\weirdness—that\is\probably\caused\by\human\activities\and\technology\
use.
Codominance-\-\A\form\of\dominance\where\both\alleles\of\a\gene\pair\in\a\heterozygote\
are\fully\expressed.\This\results\in\offspring\with\a\phenotype\that\is\neither\dominant\nor\
recessive.\A\typical\example\showing\codominance\is\the\ABO\blood\group\system.
Codons-\-\A\sequence\of\three\nucleotides\in\an\mRNA\molecule\that\specifies\which\
amino\acid\should\be\added\to\a\growing\polypeptide\chain.
Commensalism-\-\A\symbiotic\relationship\in\which\one\species\benefits\and\the\other\
does\not,\but\also\is\not\harmed.
Competition-\-\A\type\of\interspecific\interaction\where\both\species\are\harmed.
complementary\base\pairing-\-\Describes\the\hydrogen\bonding\that\occurs\between\
specific\nucleotides\on\opposing\strands\of\DNA\or\RNA.\In\DNA,\adenine\is\paired\with\
