Biology Study Guide – Core Concepts,
Cells, Genetics, Evolution, Physiology
& Human Systems (Complete Review
2026)
photosynthesis
Conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy.
products of photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen
photosynthesis equation(very important)
6CO2 + 6H2O --> light energy --> C6H12O6 + 6O2
chloroplasts
A structure in the cells of plants and some other organisms that captures energy from
sunlight and uses it to produce food.
glucose
another name for sugar C6H12O6
sunlight
main source of energy
cellular respiration
C6H1206->CO2 + H20+ ENERGY (released)
goal is to create ATP
occurs in all living things
cell
mitochondria
An organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which the biochemical processes
of respiration and energy production occur.
ATP
(adenosine triphosphate) main energy source that cells use for most of their work
the energy is stored in ATP until it is released by the reactions remove a phosphate
from ATP
a simple way of remembering it is just that it's just energy
Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants and some other organisms use the energy of
sunlight and simple chemicals to produce their own food.
Asexual reproduction
Reproduction accomplished by a single organism.
Sexual reproduction
Reproduction that requires two organisms
Inheritance
The process by which physical and biological characteristics are transmitted from the
parent (or parents) to the offspring.
Mutation
, An abrupt and marked change in the DNA of an organism compared to that of its
parents
Hypothesis
An educated guess that attempts to explain an observation or answer a question.
Theory
A hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of data.
Scientific law
A theory that has been tested by and is consistent with generations of data.
Prokaryotic cell
A cell that has no distinct, membrane-bounded organelles.
Eukaryotic cell
A cell with distinct, membrane-bounded organelles.
Species
A unit of one or more populations of individuals that can reproduce under normal
conditions, produce fertile offspring, and are reproductively isolated from other such
units.
Taxonomy
The science of classifying organisms.
Binomial nomenclature
Naming an organism with its genus and species name.
Aerobic organism
An organism that requires oxygen.
Anaerobic organism
An organism that does not require oxygen.
Exponential growth
Population growth that is unhindered because of the abundance of resources for an
ever-increasing population.
Logistic growth
Population growth that is controlled by limited resources.
Plasmid
A small, circular section of extra DNA that confers one or more traits to a bacterium and
can be reproduced separately from the main bacterial genetic code.
Nucleus
The region of a eukaryotic cell that contains the cell's main DNA.
Vacuole
A membrane-bounded "sac" within a cell.
Chloroplast
An organelle containing chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll
A pigment necessary for photosynthesis.
Cilia
Hairlike projections that extend from the plasma membrane and are used for
locomotion.
Cellulose
A substance (made of sugars) that is common in the cell walls of many organisms.
Chitin
Cells, Genetics, Evolution, Physiology
& Human Systems (Complete Review
2026)
photosynthesis
Conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy.
products of photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen
photosynthesis equation(very important)
6CO2 + 6H2O --> light energy --> C6H12O6 + 6O2
chloroplasts
A structure in the cells of plants and some other organisms that captures energy from
sunlight and uses it to produce food.
glucose
another name for sugar C6H12O6
sunlight
main source of energy
cellular respiration
C6H1206->CO2 + H20+ ENERGY (released)
goal is to create ATP
occurs in all living things
cell
mitochondria
An organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which the biochemical processes
of respiration and energy production occur.
ATP
(adenosine triphosphate) main energy source that cells use for most of their work
the energy is stored in ATP until it is released by the reactions remove a phosphate
from ATP
a simple way of remembering it is just that it's just energy
Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants and some other organisms use the energy of
sunlight and simple chemicals to produce their own food.
Asexual reproduction
Reproduction accomplished by a single organism.
Sexual reproduction
Reproduction that requires two organisms
Inheritance
The process by which physical and biological characteristics are transmitted from the
parent (or parents) to the offspring.
Mutation
, An abrupt and marked change in the DNA of an organism compared to that of its
parents
Hypothesis
An educated guess that attempts to explain an observation or answer a question.
Theory
A hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of data.
Scientific law
A theory that has been tested by and is consistent with generations of data.
Prokaryotic cell
A cell that has no distinct, membrane-bounded organelles.
Eukaryotic cell
A cell with distinct, membrane-bounded organelles.
Species
A unit of one or more populations of individuals that can reproduce under normal
conditions, produce fertile offspring, and are reproductively isolated from other such
units.
Taxonomy
The science of classifying organisms.
Binomial nomenclature
Naming an organism with its genus and species name.
Aerobic organism
An organism that requires oxygen.
Anaerobic organism
An organism that does not require oxygen.
Exponential growth
Population growth that is unhindered because of the abundance of resources for an
ever-increasing population.
Logistic growth
Population growth that is controlled by limited resources.
Plasmid
A small, circular section of extra DNA that confers one or more traits to a bacterium and
can be reproduced separately from the main bacterial genetic code.
Nucleus
The region of a eukaryotic cell that contains the cell's main DNA.
Vacuole
A membrane-bounded "sac" within a cell.
Chloroplast
An organelle containing chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll
A pigment necessary for photosynthesis.
Cilia
Hairlike projections that extend from the plasma membrane and are used for
locomotion.
Cellulose
A substance (made of sugars) that is common in the cell walls of many organisms.
Chitin
