MCAS Biology Refresher

1
MCAS Biology Refresher

• Use the following topics and associated vocab to
  refresh for the upcoming test Mr.B

2
The Chemistry of Life

• Living things are made of atoms bonded together
  to form organic molecules.
• Recognize the six most common elements in organic
  molecules (C, H, N, O, P, S). Carbon backbone
• Describe the composition and functions of the
  four major categories of organic molecules
  (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic
  acids).
• Explain the role of enzymes in biochemical
  reactions.
• Minor - Describe how dehydration synthesis and
  hydrolysis relate to organic molecules.

3
Genetics and DNA

• All living things utilize the same molecule to
  control heredity and function.
• Describe the structure and function of DNA, and
  distinguish among replication, transcription, and
  translation.
• Explain the consequences and causes of mutations
  in DNA
• Differentiate between dominant, recessive,
  codominant, polygenic, and sex-linked traits.
• State Mendel's laws of segregation and
  independent assortment.
• Use a Punnett Square to determine the genotype
  and phenotype of monohybrid crosses.
• Explain how zygotes are produced in the
  fertilization process.
• Know how Viruses work.

4
Human Anatomy and Physiology

• There is a relationship between structure and
  function in organ systems of humans.
• Explain how major organ systems in humans (e.g.,
  kidney, muscle, lung) have functional units
  (e.g., nephron, sarcome, alveoli) with specific
  anatomy that perform the function of that organ
  system.
• Describe how the function of individual systems
  within humans are integrated to maintain a
  homeostatic balance in the body.

5
Muscle systems

• Muscles only contract and must function in
  opposing pairs (bicep and tricep, stomach and
  back, quad and hamstring, flexor and extensor)
• Proteins actin and myosin ratchet along each
  other using ATP as fuel for their conformational
  change
• Uses a specialized cell that can contract quickly
  (three main types cardiac heart, smooth
  digestive, and skeletal moves limbs

6
Nervous system

• Central Nervous System (brain and spinal chord)
• Peripheral Nervous System (all nerves not encased
  in bone)
• Both systems use neurons (nerve cells) to
  transmit information from their cell bodies to
  the end of their axons.

7
Endocrine System

• Hormone secreting glands signal tissues in the
  body to respond to changing conditions
• Ducted glands deliver hormones/peptides directly
  to target areas
• Encapsulated glands secrete hormones for
  circulation throughout the body
• Pancrease insulin for regulation of sugar
• Testes/Ovaries growth and reproductive hormones
• Parts of the Brain (pituitary) growth,
  wakefulness etc.
• All secrete proteins that regulate some bodily
  function

8
Skeletal System

• Bones provide protection and structure
• Levers provide basis for movement
• Sternum and skull (cranium) protect vital organs
• Long bones contain soft marrow where blood cells
  (white leukocytes, red erythrocytes, and
  platelets) are made
• All are hard mineralized structures of special
  cells

9
Circulatory System (2 of em!!)

• Transport systems that move nutrients, dissolved
  gasses, wastes, hormones, and specialized cells
  throughout the body
• CARDIOVASCULAR cardiac muscle (heart) pumps
  blood through a system of vessels (arteries,
  capillaries, and veins) primarily to oxygenate
  the bodys tissues and move suspended items
  quickly around.
• LYMPHATIC a passive system that moves and
  stores the cells of the immune system (memory and
  killer white cells)
• All are tubes of fluids that transport suspended
  or dissolved parts

10
Digestive System

• Duh. Mouth to butt and everything in between.
• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Small intestine
• Large intestine
• Rectum

• One BIG LONG tube!
• Secondary organs/structures
• Gall bladder
• Appendix
• Villi

11
Evolution and Biodiversity

• Evolution and biodiversity are the result of
  genetic changes that occur in constantly changing
  environments.
• Explain how the fossil record, comparative
  anatomy, and other evidence support the theory of
  evolution.
• Illustrate how genetic variation is preserved or
  eliminated from a population through Darwinian
  natural selection (evolution) resulting in
  biodiversity.
• Describe how the taxonomic system classifies
  living things into domains (eubacteria,
  archaebacteria, and eukaryotes) and kingdoms
  (animals, plants, fungi, etc.).
• Note there is an ongoing scientific debate
  about the number of kingdoms and which organisms
  should be included in each. The following
  websites provide more information Brave New
  Biosphere whyfiles.org/022critters/phylogeny.html,
  and The Tree of Life Project Root Page
  phylogeny.arizona.edu/tree/life.html.

12
Ecology

• Ecology is the interaction between living
  organisms and their environment.
• Explain how biotic and abiotic factors cycle in
  an ecosystem (water, carbon, oxygen, and
  nitrogen).
• Use a food web to identify and distinguish
  producers, consumers, and decomposers, and
  explain the transfer of energy through trophic
  levels.
• Identify the factors in an ecosystem that
  influence fluctuations in population size.
• Analyze changes in an ecosystem resulting from
  natural causes, changes in climate, human
  activity, or introduction of non-native species.
• Explain how symbiotic behavior produces
  interactions within ecosystems. COEVOLUTION