High School Biology - Core Concept Master Cheat Sheet

Biology, 1 of 6
01: The Science of Biology 03: The Cell
Characeristics of life Cell organelles and their functions:
Organization: all lives are well organized Nucleus: the control center
Energy use: all lives need energy to support o Holds all of cell’s genetic information
Reproduction: all lives should be able to reproduce itself o Makes decisions about cell needs
Growth: all lives grow and develop. Ribosome: the factory
Response to stimuli: all lives can respond to internal or o Synthesizes proteins
external stimuli Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Homeostasis: all lives have the ability to maintain a o Edits and finalizes proteins made by ribosomes.
relatively stable internal environment—self-regulation Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
Basic Theory of modern biology o Synthesizes carbohydrates and lipids.
Cell Theory Golgi Apparatus: the post office
Cell is the building unit of all living organisms. o Tags and ships packages to their destinations
All cells come from pre-existing cells Mitochondria: the power house
All metaboism occur in cells of the body—cells are o Produces ATP for the cell’s activities.
functional unit for all lives Lysosome: the recycling center.
Gene Theory o Recycles waste and foreign bacteria.
All genetic information is stored in DNA – genes The cell membrane: lipid bilayer which envelops the cell. For
Genes control most, if not every, aspects of an organism Protection, Communication, and Selective Exchange
The DNA language can be transcribed into RNA language Passive Transport
and then translated into protein language for its final o Does not use energy
function o Osmosis, diffusion, facilitated diffusion
Homeostasis o Natural movement from high concentration to low
All living organisms have the ability to maintain a relatively concentration.
constant internal environment Active Transport
Purpose: to ensure proper function of the body o Uses energy
o Movement from against natural diffusion
02: Chemical Basis of Life Prokaryotes
Atoms: Examples: bacteria, microscopic organisms
o electrons: both energy and substance particles Structure: DNA, ribosomes, and cell membranes.
o neutrons Except for ribosomes, prokaryotes DO NOT have organelles.
o protons Eukaryotes
Molecules: Animals: with organelles and cell membranes
o Formed by atoms o Plants: with organelles and cell membranes like animal
o Joined by chemical bonds cells, but also have chloroplasts and cell walls.
o molecular formula and structure formula
Chemical Bond: 04: Cellular Respiration
Ion bond: ion bond forms when atoms lose or gain Aerobic Resoiration
electrons. Glycolysis
Covalent bond: Covalent bonds form when atoms share o Glucose is broken down into pyruvate.
electrons, very strong bonds. The major one in organic o 2 ATP produced.
chemicals. Krebs Cycle
Hydrogen bond: Weak electrical attraction between the o Acetyl CoA (made from pyruvate) runs a cycle of
positive end of one molecule and the negative end of another reactions, regenerating at the end of each cycle.
Buffers: solutions which resist change in pH upon addition of o All of the electrons are passed to NADH and FADH2
small amounts of acid or base. (electron carriers).
pH: pH represents the concentration of hydrogen ions [H+] o 2 ATP produced.
in solution.pH = -log [H+] Oxidative Phosphorylation
Organic o 32 ATP produced.
Anaerobic Resoiration
Contains Glycolysis: Glucose is broken down into pyruvate; 2 ATP
carbon produced.
Monomers Fermentation: Pyruvate is broken down into ethanol or
lactic acid. Glycolysis intermediates produced to allow
glycolysis to begin again immediately.
Macromolecules Metabolism
(Chemical Reactions Necessary For Life)
Contains Contains
Contains CHONContains CHONP Anabolism Catabolism
Sometimes S CHO (Construction of Molecules) (Breakdown of Molecules)
Carbohydrates Lipids Nucleic
Acids
Proteins
Protein Carbohydrate Lipid Protein Carbohydrate Lipid
Starch
Fats Steroids
Glycogen Protein Fatty Acid Glycolysis
RNA DNA
Cellulose Synthesis Synthesis
Phospholipid Glycogenesis Breakdown into Beta
Enzyme Amino Acids Oxidation

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High School Biology - Core Concept Master Cheat Sheet

Biology, 2 of 6
05: Photosynthesis 07: Introduction to Ecology
Chloroplast: An organelle in plant cells where
Organisms Environment
photosynthesis occur.
Study of Organisms and
Photophosphorylation: a process that ATP is generated
Environment is called
via light reactions in photosynthesis.
Light Reaction: The first phase of photosysnthesis which Show Ecology
light is harvested and the electron transfer occurs, ATP,
NADPH and oxygen is generated. Behavioral
Dark Reaction: The second phase of photosynthesis where Responses
crbon dioxide is fixed and carbohydrates are generated by
consuming ATP and NADPH. Abiotic Biotic
Chloroplasts: These are organelles which allow the Physiological
organism to perform photosynthesis, obtaining energy from Responses
Temperature
sunlight.
Morphological Water
Chlorophyll: Proteins found in chloroplasts which have the
ability to absorb sunlight for photosynthesis. Responses Light Plants

3 CO2 Soil
Animals
Wind

6ATP Fire and other

Rubisco
6 3PGA 6NADPH Biosphere: The entire portion of the earth that is inhabited
3 RuBP by life. The sum of all the planet’s ecosystems.
Biomes: The world’s major communities classified according
The Calvin Cycle
to the predominant vegetation and characterized by
adaptations of organisms to that particular environment.
Community: A group of populatins living in the same area.
5 P3G 6 P3G Population: A group of individuals in a particular geographic
area that belong the same species.
3 ATP Producers: They are primarily green plants that bring
energy into the system by capturing sunlight.
Consumers: An organism in an eco system that lives by
1 P3G eating other organisms.
Food Web: A complex interaction of feeding relationships.
06: The Cell Cycle Chemical Cycling: Nature’s way of allowing life on Earth
Centrioles and access to limited resources by continually transferring the
spindle fibers energy from one form to the next.
M checkpoint
break down. 08: Communities, Ecosystems, and Biomes
G2 checkpoint Primary Succession: An event in which life begins to exist
where no life existed previously.
Secondary Succession: The change in composition of the
species which live in an area.
Aquatic Ecosystems: Most of life on Earth lives in the
G1 checkpoint
oceans, a poorly understand system of oceans, lakes,
S checkpoint
streams, rivers, and estuaries.
Prophase Terrestrial Biomes: The group of ecosystems which share
o Chromosomes condense and become visible. the same climate, flora, and fauna.
o Nuclear envelope breaks down. Community Interactions
o Centrioles take positions on opposite sides of
nucleus.
Competition Predation Symbiosis Complex effects of
Metaphase: Between species community
o Chromosomes line up single-file in the middle of the Plant defenses Interactions on
cell. against
Competitive species
o Spindle fibers from the centrioles attach to each herbivores
exclusion diversity
side of the centromeres of the chromosomes.
principle
Animal
Anaphase: Parasitism
Ecological defenses
o Sister chromatids are pulled apart to become Niche against
individual chromosomes. predators
o Chromosomes move until they reach centrioles on Role of Commena
opposite sides of cell. Competition Role of lism
in species predation in
Telophase: diversity structuring
Mutualism
o Chromosomes dissolve. communities
o Nuclear envelopes re-form around both sets of
chromosomes.

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 Biology, 3 of 6
09: Population Ecology 11: Genetics
Population: It is a group of individuals of a given species Chromosome: where the cell nucleus pack its long stretch
inhabiting a specific geographic area and exhibiting a of DNA molecule into, it is the functional unit for heredity
characteristic density and dispersion. Meiosis: A reproductive process which produces two unique
Population Density: Individuals per unit area or volume. haploid cells from one cell. These unique haploid cells are
Dispersion: The pattern of spacing for individuals within gametes, sex cells for reproduction.
the boundaries of the population. Haploid: Descibing a cell which has one entire set of the
Geographic limits within which a population lives. oganism’s chromosomes.
Diploid: Describing a cell which has two entire sets of the
organism’s chromosomes.
Cross: The parents which reproduce together.
Aa x aa
Population range Density of
Density of
individuals organisms A a
Absolute density Ecological in habitat a Aa aa
over the
density actually a Aa aa
entire
range. Habitat selection occupied.

If present, the dominant allele appears

in the phenotype.
Behavior of animals in moving toward a particular
microenvironment within the range that satisfies their
requirements. Dominant/Recessive
Both The
Limiting Factors dominant phenotype
alleles Co-Dominance Incomplete is the
show up Dominance middle of
Density-Independent
in the Polygenic Traits the two
phenotype alleles.
Weather .
Natural
Density-Dependent Disasters Many genes (with 2 alleles each) combine to create one
Human physical trait.
Parasitism Predation Activities
12: Nucleic Acids
Disease DNA
Competition o Is the cellular genetic material
o Contains two strands based on base pairing between
10: Conservation Ecology A and T, C and G.
Reforestation: It is the development of a forest in a o The two strands are anti-parallel and form double
deforested area to ensure a sustained yield. helix structure
Conservation: It is the safeguarding, maintaining or
protecting and wise management of natural resources. RNA Classes:
o mRNA: Copies information from DNA through base-
Materials which satisfy human needs and want paring mechanism
in a given space and time, and serve to attain o tRNA: carries amino acids to protein synthesis sites
individual as well as social welfare. o rRNA: component for ribosome
o ncRNA: regulate cellular processes

The Central Dogma

Plants and Animal DNA

Land wealth
Soil
mRNA
Air Minerals
Water Energy
They are natural resources since
Protein
they are all parts of nature.
Continuous Transcription: RNA polymerase reads DNA and produces
Three types of Resources pre-mRNA. The pre-mRNA is edited via splicing of exons
Renewable together to form the mature mRNA which leaves the nucleus
Resources to enter the cytoplasm.
Non- renewable Translation: Ribosomes read the mRNA script and tRNA’s
Resources bring amino acids in order to produce the final gene product,
Resources: They are materials which satisfy human needs proteins.
and wants in a given space and time and serve to attain Causes of Mutation
individuals as well as social welfare. o Errors during DNA replication
Non Renewable resources: There is no known process by o DNA damage
which they can be renewed quickly. They are available in o Chromosome errorss
fixed quantities and too much exploitation would mean their
end. Ex: Minerals, ground water.

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High School Biology - Core Concept Master Cheat Sheet

Biology, 4 of 6
13: The Human Genome 15: Evolutionary History
Autosomal Chromosomes: Chromosomes that code for Precambrian Time: 99% of Earth’s history. All of the life
the regular human traits. history events above happened during this time.
Sex Chromosomes: Chromosomes that determine sex. Oxygenation of the atmosphere, the first life forms, etc. All
Genetic Disorder: A disease or sickness caused by DNA at life was aquatic.
birth. Paleozoic Era: The first invertebrates and vertebrates.
Autosomal-Recessive Insects, plants, and reptiles appeared. First movement of
organisms onto land.
Mesozoic Era: “The Age of Reptiles.” Reptiles became
dominant. Mammals appeared. Dinosaurs became extinct.
Sex-Linked Genetic Disorders Autosomal- Cenozoic Era: “The Age of Mammals.” Mammals became
Dominant dominant. Glaciers melted. The climate warmed. Humans
appeared.
Formation of Earth
Chromosomal

Proto-life Formed
Genetic Engineering
Bacterial Plant Animal
Cells Cells Cells Photosynthetic Prokaryotes Appear

Oxygen Enters Atmosphere

Insert Engineered
DNA Eukaryotes Appear
into Inject
Insert into
into Nucleus
Plasmid of Egg
Plant Multicellular
Virus Eukaryotes Appear
Infects
plant with 16: Classification
DNA
Taxonomy: The discipline of studying and classifying
Transformed organisms.
by cell. Animalia: A kingdom which includes heterotrophic
consumers such as herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and
detritivores.
14: Evolution Binomial Nomenclature: A standard way to refer to the
Heritable Adaptation: Any inherited trait that ultimately scientific name of an organism by using the genus and
leads to a reproductive advantage of a species. species.
Punctuated Equilibrium: Evolutionary changes occur Phylogeny: The process of classifying and organizing
relatively quickly followed by long periods of stabilization. organisms based on evolutionary relationships.
Natural selection:
-Natural Selection is a result of a species interaction with the
environment, with “selection” being determined by whichever
species lives long enough to propagate and thereby be
successful.
-Survival of the “Fittest”. Fit refers to best fit to environment.

Random Variation of
traits in a population

Adaptation more Interaction of

offspring carrying species with
advantageous traits environment

Differential reproductive
success of species carrying
particular traits Five Kingdom System

Monera | Protista | Fungi

Plamtae | Animalia

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High School Biology - Core Concept Master Cheat Sheet

Biology, 5 of 6
17: Bacteria and Viruses 19: The Nervous System
Bacteria: smallest and simplest organisms, scientifically Neurotransmitter: Biological particles which the branches
called prokaryotes. release when an action potential reaches them.
Binary Fission: Asexual reproduction of prokaryotes. Neurotransmitters carry information to the next neuron.
Conjugation: A method of transferring DNA from one
bacteria to another using a sex pilus.
Transformation: A method of transferring DNA in which a
Terminal
bacteria picks up DNA from another dead bacteria and Dendrite Cell Body Branches
integrates the foreign DNA as its own.
Transduction: A method of DNA transfer in which a virus
accidentally picks up DNA from one bacteria and injects it
into another.
Obligate Anaerobes: bacteria which are unable to grow in
the presence of oxygen, Axon
Facultative anaerobes: bacteria which can grow with or
without oxygen
Aerobic: bacteria which require oxygen to grow.
Lytic Cycle: A viral life cycle which takes over and kills a
host cell in order to make more viruses.
Lysogenic Cycle: A viral life cycle which integrates viral The Nervous System
DNA into host DNA in order to be replicated with the host
DNA and lie dormant.

Central Peripheral
Capsid: Genetic Material

Brain Spinal Cord Motor Sensory

Tail Fibers

Autonomic Somatic
18: Plants
Transpiration: Evaporation via the stomata on the lower
surface of leaves pulls up water/minerals from roots. This
force makes water to go upwards from root to leaves. Sympathetic Parasympathetic

20: The Skeletal, Muscular, and

Differences between a plant cell and an animal cell
o Cell wall: plants have a protective layer of cellulose Integumentary Systems
around the cell membrane known as the cell wall.
o Large central vacuole: This large organelle maintains
the structure of the plant cell by giving a water-filled
support.
o Chloroplast: This organelle allows plants to perform
photosynthesis, to absorb sunlight to produce energy.

Root
o Usually under the ground
Function
o Anchor plants to soil Leaves
o Absorb and transport nutrients

Stem Actin Myosin

o The part of a plant from
which shoots and buds arise.
Function
Stem
o Structural support
o Growth through increase in
diameter and elongation Skeletal Muscle
o Transport of fluids between the Attached to bones
roots and the leaves. Root Has stripes = striated
Powers voluntary movement
Leaves Smooth Muscle
Function Used in intestines
o Photosynthesis: to obtain food from light Not striated
o Transpiration: pulling water up from the roots. Powers involuntary movements
Cardiac Muscle
Found only in the heart
Striated
Powers the heartbeat

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High School Biology - Core Concept Master Cheat Sheet

Biology, 6 of 6
21: Respiratory and Circulatory Systems 23: Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
Respiratory System: An organ system designed to pick up Endocrine System vs Nervous System
needed gas and release waste. Slow Response Fast Response
Circulatory System: An organ system designed to deliver Hormones Electrical Impulses
oxygenated blood through all of the body’s cells. Long-lasting Effects Short-lasting Effects
Hypothalamus: controls pituitary to release hormones.
Pituitary Gland: signals other glands to release hormones.
Growth hormone.
Thyroid: Releases thyroxine to control metabolism.
Parathyroid: Releases parathyroid hormone to regulate
levels of calcium.
Adrenal: “Flight or Fight” response.
Pancreas: Release insulin/glucagon to regulate blood-
glucose levels.
Gonads: Release testroterone, estrogen, to stimulate
reproductive system changes.
Homeostasis: When the stable status of a body is
disrupted, the organ systems sense the change, and by
activating signals such as through the nervous or endocrine
systems, effectors are activated which returns the body back
to the original state.

22: The Digestive and Excretory Systems

Ingestion: The mouth mechanically breaks down food.
The esophagus pushes food down with peristalsis.
Digestion: The stomach stores the food and releases
24: The Immune System
enzymes to break it down. The liver releases bile to help Humoral Immunity: B cells become plasma cells and
with digestion of large fats. The pancreases releases memory B cells. The plasma cells release antibodies into the
enzymes to help the small intestine digest food. blood to kill the pathogen cells. Memory B cells remember
Bladder: The storage zone for urine, filtrated waste, to the specific antibody needed to defend against the same
leave the body. enzymes to activate digestion overall. pathogen.
Absorption: The small intestine takes in food molecules Cell-Mediated Immunity: Helper T cells bind to already
into the blood. The large intestine absorbs water. infected body cells and then activate killer T cells. Killer T
Elimination: The waste leaves through the rectum. cells bind to the infected cell and destroy its membrane to
Skin: Excretes urea through the surface. kill the infected cell.
Lungs: Excretes carbon dioxide. Physical/Chemical Barriers: The skin and hair in ears and
Liver: Detoxifies dangerous compounds. nose prevent pathogens from entering the body. Chemicals
Kidneys: Filters the blood, keeping necessary amounts of such as saliva, sweat, and oil contain enzymes which destroy
minerals and water while discard extraneous amounts. pathogens before they spread.
Inflammatory Response: Kills any pathogens in area of
damage.
Function
Macro Phagocytes Ingest and destroy foreign invaders.
phages

Plasma Cells Produce antibodies and release them

into blood.
B Cells
Memory Remember specific pathogens.

Helper T Activate Killer T Cells

T Cells
Destroy infected cells of the body
Killer T Cells

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