Comprehensive Biology Vocabulary and Key
Concepts Study Guide 2025
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
Concepts Study Guide 2025
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
