Florida Biology EOC cheat sheet

Macromolecules and monomers: carbohydrates = monosaccharides (glucose), proteins = amino acids, nucleic acids = nucleotides, lipids = glycerol + fatty acids (not a true polymer).

Enzyme function: enzymes are proteins that lower activation energy by binding substrate at the active site; they are not consumed. Denaturation by heat or pH change alters shape and stops activity.

Cell theory: all living things are made of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.

Prokaryote vs. eukaryote decision rule: no membrane-bound nucleus or membrane-bound organelles = prokaryote (bacteria, archaea); nucleus present = eukaryote.

Organelle functions: mitochondria = cellular respiration/ATP; chloroplast = photosynthesis; ribosome = protein synthesis; rough ER = protein transport; smooth ER = lipid synthesis; Golgi = modification and packaging; lysosome = intracellular digestion; vacuole = storage.

Photosynthesis and respiration are complementary: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light -> C6H12O6 + 6O2, and C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP.

Transport decision rule: diffusion and osmosis are passive (high to low concentration, no energy); active transport and endocytosis/exocytosis require ATP and can move against the gradient.

Cell cycle: interphase (G1, S, G2) is the longest phase; DNA replicates in S phase; mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) divides the nucleus; cytokinesis divides the cytoplasm.

Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells for growth and repair; meiosis produces four genetically varied haploid gametes and includes crossing over in prophase I.

Taxonomy hierarchy (broad to narrow): domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species. Binomial nomenclature uses genus + specific epithet, capitalized genus and italicized or underlined.

Three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya. Kingdoms under Eukarya commonly taught: Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.

Evidence for classification: structural homology, embryology, biochemistry/DNA sequence similarity, and fossil record. Closer DNA similarity = closer evolutionary relationship.

Genotype vs. phenotype: genotype is the allele combination; phenotype is the observable trait. Dominant alleles mask recessive alleles in heterozygotes.

Punnett square rules: monohybrid cross of two heterozygotes (Aa x Aa) gives 1 AA : 2 Aa : 1 aa, or 3:1 dominant phenotype to recessive.

Non-Mendelian patterns: incomplete dominance produces blended phenotype; codominance shows both traits; multiple alleles (ABO blood) and polygenic traits also apply. Sex-linked traits are carried on X chromosomes and appear more often in males.

Natural selection requires heritable variation, overproduction of offspring, competition for resources, and differential survival and reproduction.

Hardy-Weinberg conditions describe a non-evolving population: no mutation, no gene flow, random mating, large population, no natural selection.

Evidence of evolution: fossil record, homologous structures, vestigial structures, embryological similarities, and molecular (DNA/protein) comparisons.

Trophic levels: producers (autotrophs) form the base; primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers follow. Only about 10% of energy transfers to the next level; the rest is lost as heat.

Food web vs. food chain: a food chain is one linear path; a food web shows interconnected chains. Removing a keystone species can collapse the web.

Ecological relationships: mutualism (+,+), commensalism (+,0), parasitism (+,-), predation (+,-), competition (-,-).

Population growth: exponential (J-curve) occurs with unlimited resources; logistic (S-curve) levels off at carrying capacity (K).

Population size is affected by births, deaths, immigration, and emigration. Density-independent factors include weather and natural disasters; density-dependent factors include disease, predation, and competition.

Biogeochemical cycles: carbon (photosynthesis, respiration, combustion), nitrogen (fixation by bacteria, denitrification), water (evaporation, condensation, precipitation), phosphorus (no atmospheric phase).

Succession: primary succession begins on bare rock with no soil (pioneer species like lichens); secondary succession begins where soil remains after a disturbance.

Symbiosis and energy flow decision rule: arrows in a food web point in the direction of energy transfer, from the organism being eaten to the eater.

Biomes are classified mainly by temperature and precipitation; aquatic ecosystems are classified by salinity (freshwater vs. marine) and depth.