GED Science Test flashcards

A process where a planet's atmosphere traps so much heat that its surface temperature becomes extremely high, making it inhospitable for life as we know it.

• Primarily caused by abundant greenhouse gases, especially CO2.
• Characteristic of Venus's atmosphere.
• Leads to evaporation of surface water, further increasing greenhouse gases.

Memory trick: Venus's Vicious Veil Vastly Vamps the Warmth.

The process by which Earth's crust is raised to a higher elevation, often due to tectonic plate collisions, leading to mountain formation.

• Caused by convergent plate boundaries where plates push against each other.
• Can expose deeply buried rocks and marine sediments.
• Responsible for the formation of major mountain ranges like the Himalayas.

Memory trick: Ancient Sea, High Land, Tectonic Hand.

To maximize energy collection in the Northern Hemisphere, solar panels are typically oriented to face true south to capture the most direct sunlight throughout the day and year.

• Sun's path is in the southern sky in NH.
• A south-facing orientation maximizes direct sun exposure.
• Tilt angle also adjusted for seasonal changes.

Memory trick: Sun's Southward Gaze Powers Northern Homes

The biological conversion of one or more carbon molecules (usually carbon dioxide or methane) and nutrients into organic matter using the oxidation of inorganic chemical compounds (e.g., hydrogen sulfide) as an energy source, rather than sunlight.

• Common in deep-sea hydrothermal vents and other environments without sunlight.
• Forms the base of the food web in these ecosystems.
• Performed by chemosynthetic bacteria and archaea.

Memory trick: No Sun, No Photosynthesis, Chemical Feast for Life's Genesis.

A large planet composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, with a relatively low density, a thick atmosphere, and often a prominent ring system and numerous moons.

• Large size, low average density.
• Composed mainly of hydrogen and helium.
• Strong magnetic field, complex ring systems.

Memory trick: Planets have distinct traits for their type.

The inclination of Earth's rotational axis relative to its orbital plane, approximately 23.5 degrees, which is the primary cause of seasons.

• Causes direct sunlight to shift between hemispheres throughout the year.
• Leads to variations in daylight hours and solar intensity at different latitudes.
• Without tilt, there would be no distinct seasons.

Memory trick: Tilt Triggers Temperature and Time changes.

The ongoing decrease in the pH of Earth's oceans, caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

• CO2 dissolves in seawater to form carbonic acid.
• Carbonic acid releases hydrogen ions (H+), lowering pH.
• Impacts marine organisms, especially those with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons.

Memory trick: Carbon's Ocean Dive, pH Takes a Nosedive.

The region around a star where the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold, allowing for the potential existence of liquid water on a planet's surface.

• Often called the 'Goldilocks zone' because conditions are 'just right'.
• The size and location of the habitable zone depend on the star's luminosity.
• Liquid water is considered a key ingredient for life as we know it.

Memory trick: Goldilocks Zone: Just Right for Water's Home.

The process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, warming the planet's surface.

• Key greenhouse gases: CO2, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide.
• Absorb outgoing infrared radiation (heat).
• Essential for maintaining Earth's habitable temperature, but excess leads to global warming.

Memory trick: Carbon dioxide Climbs, Causing Climate Change.

A type of convergent plate boundary where an oceanic plate subducts beneath a continental plate, resulting in deep ocean trenches and volcanic mountain ranges on the continent.

• Oceanic plate is denser and subducts
• Forms deep ocean trenches
• Leads to volcanic arcs on the continental plate

Memory trick: Plates Clash, Earth's Face Changes Dramatically

The Moon is characterized by a lack of substantial atmosphere, a heavily cratered surface, and a slow rotation, resulting in significant temperature variations.

• Surface is dominated by impact craters, maria (volcanic plains), and highlands.
• No significant atmosphere means no weather or erosion by wind/water.
• Synchronous rotation with Earth means one side always faces Earth.

Memory trick: Thin Air, Slow Spin, Craters Deep: Moon's Secrets Planets Keep.

A liquid layer of Earth's interior, primarily composed of iron and nickel, where S-waves are absorbed and P-waves refract and slow down.

• Located between the mantle and the inner core.
• Responsible for generating Earth's magnetic field through convection.
• Temperature ranges from approximately 4,400°C to 6,100°C.

Memory trick: P-waves Pass, S-waves Stop: Outer Core's Liquid Plot.

An area where atmospheric pressure is higher than the surrounding areas, characterized by sinking air, clear skies, calm winds, and often dry, stable weather.

• Sinking air warms and dries, inhibiting cloud formation.
• Associated with fair, often warm, weather.
• Can lead to prolonged periods of drought if persistent.

Memory trick: High Pressure, Happy Weather (but dry!).

A rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain, forming over tropical or subtropical oceans.

• Sustained winds ≥ 119 km/h (74 mph).
• Has a distinct eye at its center.
• Forms over warm ocean waters (≥ 26.5°C).

Memory trick: Depression, Storm, Then Hurricane's Fury

A plate boundary where two tectonic plates move towards each other, resulting in collision, subduction, or mountain building.

• Three types: oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental, continental-continental.
• Features include deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, mountain ranges, and strong earthquakes.
• Subduction occurs when one plate dives beneath another.

Memory trick: Converging Creates Canyons and Cones.

Heat shields that protect spacecraft during atmospheric re-entry by dissipating thermal energy through the vaporization and shedding of their outer layers.

• The material absorbs heat, then vaporizes, carrying away energy.
• Creates a boundary layer of cool gas that further insulates the spacecraft.
• Sacrificial in nature, designed to erode during re-entry.

Memory trick: Ablation: Ablaze and Away, Heat's Fierce Foe Fades Today.

An area on Earth's surface, opposite an earthquake's epicenter, where S-waves are not detected due to their inability to travel through the liquid outer core.

• S-waves are shear waves, only propagating through solids.
• The S-wave shadow zone spans more than 103 degrees from the epicenter.
• Provides crucial evidence for the liquid nature of Earth's outer core.

Memory trick: Seismic Shadows Show the Secret of the Core.

The increase in the volume of seawater as its temperature rises, contributing significantly to global sea-level rise.

• Water expands when heated, even slightly.
• Accounts for a substantial portion of observed sea-level rise.
• Distinct from the addition of water from melting glaciers and ice sheets.

Memory trick: Warm Water, Wider World, Waving Goodbye to Shores.

A global-scale system of ocean currents driven by differences in water density, which is controlled by temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline).

• Also known as the 'great ocean conveyor belt'.
• Transports heat, salt, and nutrients around the globe.
• Plays a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate.

Memory trick: Thermohaline: Temperature and Salinity's Tug-of-War.

The Hadley Cell is a tropical atmospheric circulation cell that extends from the equator to approximately 30 degrees latitude in both hemispheres, characterized by rising air near the equator and sinking air at 30 degrees.

• Drives trade winds.
• Responsible for the formation of major deserts at 30° latitude.
• Warm air rises at the equator, cools, and descends at 30°.

Memory trick: Hot air from the equator Had-ley to go up, then down at thirty, making deserts dry.

The Earth's mantle is a thick, solid but ductile layer extending from the crust to the outer core, characterized by extremely high temperatures (900-4000°C) and pressures (20-136 GPa).

• Located between the crust and outer core.
• Comprises about 84% of Earth's volume.
• Solid but flows slowly over geological time scales.

Memory trick: Deep Down, Pressure and Heat Soar

Water's ability to absorb and store a large amount of heat energy without a significant change in its own temperature, making it an effective temperature buffer.

• Requires a lot of energy to raise its temperature.
• Releases a lot of energy when its temperature drops.
• Moderates temperatures of coastal regions.

Memory trick: Water's Unique Gifts Shape Our World

The series of chemical reactions involving carbon dioxide dissolving in seawater, forming carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and carbonate ions, which impacts ocean pH and marine life.

• CO2 + H2O ⇌ H2CO3 (carbonic acid)
• H2CO3 ⇌ H+ + HCO3- (bicarbonate)
• HCO3- ⇌ H+ + CO32- (carbonate)
• Carbonate ions are used by organisms to form calcium carbonate shells.

Memory trick: Carbon's Ocean Chemistry: Carbonic Creates Carbonate.

The bending or curving of rock layers due to compressional forces within the Earth's crust, often resulting from tectonic plate collisions.

• Caused by compressional stress.
• Can form anticlines (arches) and synclines (troughs).
• Severe folding (recumbent folds) can overturn strata.

Memory trick: Rocks Bend and Break Under Pressure

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of sediments, often containing fossils and showing distinct layers.

• Formed from weathered rock, organic matter, or chemical precipitates.
• Characterized by layers (bedding) and often contain fossils.
• Examples include sandstone, shale, limestone.

Memory trick: Sediments Settle Slowly, forming Solid Structures.

Large dams significantly alter river ecosystems by changing water flow, temperature, and sediment transport, leading to various environmental consequences.

• Block fish migration routes.
• Alter downstream temperature and oxygen levels.
• Reduce sediment delivery to deltas and coastlines, increasing erosion.

Memory trick: Dams Disrupt Downstream Deltas Dramatically.

A severe tropical cyclone that forms over warm ocean waters, characterized by a rapidly rotating storm system, high winds, and heavy rainfall.

• Forms over warm ocean water (typically >80°F or 26.5°C).
• Characterized by a low-pressure eye, eyewall, and rainbands.
• Wind speeds must reach at least 74 mph (119 km/h) to be classified as a hurricane.

Memory trick: Hurricanes: Hot Ocean, Hard Rain, High Wind, Hella Rotation!

The process by which the body maintains stable concentrations of essential ions (electrolytes) like sodium and potassium in body fluids.

• Crucial for nerve and muscle function, and fluid balance.
• Primarily regulated by the kidneys.
• Hormones like aldosterone play a key role.

Memory trick: Your kidneys are the 'master plumbers' of your body, balancing fluids and salts.

An inheritance pattern where one allele completely masks the expression of the other allele in the heterozygous state.

• Only two distinct phenotypes are observed for a given trait.
• Heterozygotes express the dominant phenotype.
• Example: Mendel's pea plants (tall/short, purple/white flowers).

Memory trick: Dominance is like a king, completely ruling over its subject.

An immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE antibodies, often leading to symptoms like hives, swelling, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

• Mediated by IgE antibodies
• Rapid onset (minutes)
• Can be localized or systemic (anaphylaxis)

Memory trick: ACID: Anaphylactic, Cytotoxic, Immune-complex, Delayed

A fat-soluble vitamin that plays a vital role in bone health by regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the body.

• Synthesized in the skin upon sun exposure.
• Promotes calcium absorption from the gut.
• Deficiency can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Memory trick: D for DENSE bones: Vitamin D helps absorb Calcium for strong bones.

A type of T cell that plays a central role in the immune system by activating other immune cells, including B cells and cytotoxic T cells.

• Express CD4 protein
• Recognize antigens presented by MHC class II molecules
• Crucial for coordinating both humoral and cell-mediated immunity

Memory trick: B-cells Make Antibodies, T-cells Tag and Kill.

The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, leading to an increase in the frequency of advantageous traits in a population over generations.

• Requires variation within a population.
• Involves differential survival and reproduction.
• Leads to adaptation to the environment.
• Driven by environmental pressures (e.g., predation, climate).

Memory trick: Natural Selection: Nature Selects the Strongest Survivors.

A rapid and severe allergic reaction mediated by IgE antibodies, leading to the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators, causing symptoms like swelling, hives, bronchoconstriction, and hypotension.

• Mediated by IgE antibodies.
• Involves mast cells and basophils.
• Can be life-threatening.
• Common triggers include insect stings, foods, medications.

Memory trick: ACID: Anaphylactic, Cytotoxic, Immune complex, Delayed.

An essential water-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant and is crucial for collagen synthesis.

• Required for collagen production (connective tissue).
• Supports immune function.
• Deficiency causes scurvy (bleeding gums, poor wound healing).

Memory trick: Vitamin C is for 'Collagen' and 'Cure' (healing).

A general rule in ecology stating that, on average, only about 10% of the energy (and biomass) from one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level; the remaining 90% is lost, primarily as heat.

• Explains why food chains are typically short.
• Energy loss occurs through metabolic processes, waste, and unconsumed biomass.
• Applies to both energy and biomass transfer between trophic levels.

Memory trick: Ten Percent Transferred, Ninety Percent Lost, Life's Cost.

The process by which natural selection drives competing species to use different resources, or to use the same resources in different ways, to avoid direct competition.

• Reduces interspecific competition
• Can involve spatial, temporal, or dietary differences
• Leads to resource specialization
• Allows multiple species to coexist in an ecosystem

Memory trick: Niche is where you fit, Partitioning is how you split.

The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtering blood, reabsorbing essential substances, and excreting waste and excess water to form urine.

• Filters blood in glomerulus
• Reabsorbs water and solutes in tubules
• Secretes waste products
• Regulates blood volume and pressure

Memory trick: Filter, Reabsorb, Secrete, Excrete.

The process by which retroviruses (e.g., HIV) replicate, involving the reverse transcription of their RNA genome into DNA, which is then integrated into the host cell's DNA.

• RNA genome
• Uses reverse transcriptase enzyme
• DNA provirus integrates into host genome

Memory trick: RNA to DNA is Retro; DNA is Direct

Ribosomes are essential cellular components responsible for synthesizing proteins. Bacterial ribosomes differ structurally from eukaryotic ribosomes, making them a common target for antibiotics without harming human cells.

• Site of protein synthesis
• Composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins
• Prokaryotic (bacterial) ribosomes are 70S, eukaryotic are 80S
• Antibiotics often exploit this structural difference

Memory trick: Ribo-some proteins, some DNA, some ATP, some walls.

The principle that two species competing for the same limited resources cannot coexist indefinitely, and one will eventually outcompete and eliminate the other.

• Occurs when niches overlap significantly.
• Leads to the exclusion of one competitor.
• Can reduce biodiversity.

Memory trick: Interactions: Competition, Mutualism, Predation, Commensalism, Parasitism, Exclusion is Competition's end.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Its rate can be measured by monitoring the consumption of reactants (CO2, H2O) or the production of products (O2, glucose).

• Reactants: Carbon dioxide, Water, Light energy
• Products: Glucose, Oxygen
• Oxygen production is a common proxy for rate
• Carbon dioxide uptake can also be measured

Memory trick: Light makes Oxygen, so we measure the Oxygen.

A major part of the hindbrain, located at the back of the skull, that plays a crucial role in motor control.

• Coordinates voluntary movements such as posture, balance, coordination, and speech.
• Enables smooth and balanced muscular activity.
• Damage can lead to ataxia (impaired coordination).

Memory trick: The cerebellum is your 'balance-bell' for movement.

A severe, potentially fatal systemic allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and widespread rash or swelling.

• Life-threatening allergic reaction
• Rapid onset (minutes to hours)
• Symptoms include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure
• Common triggers: insect stings, foods, medications

Memory trick: Allergies can be mild, but Anaphylaxis is A-LARMING.

A class of RNA viruses that utilize the enzyme reverse transcriptase to produce DNA from their RNA genome, which is then integrated into the host cell's DNA.

• Possess an RNA genome.
• Requires reverse transcriptase for replication.
• Integrates a DNA copy into the host genome.
• HIV is a well-known retrovirus.

Memory trick: Viruses: DNA or RNA, Direct or Reverse, Integration is the Retrovirus's Secret.

Lymphocytes that play a central role in the adaptive immune response by recognizing antigens and activating other immune cells.

• Crucial for activating B cells to produce antibodies.
• Essential for activating cytotoxic T cells to kill infected cells.
• Targeted by HIV, leading to AIDS.

Memory trick: Helper T cells are the generals, directing the immune army.

A genetic cross between a heterozygous individual and a homozygous recessive individual for a single trait.

• One parent is heterozygous (e.g., Rr)
• Other parent is homozygous recessive (e.g., rr)
• Offspring phenotypic ratio is typically 1:1 dominant to recessive

Memory trick: Punnett's Puzzler: Hetero-Recessive is half-and-half

The most advanced stage of HIV infection, characterized by severe damage to the immune system, leading to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.

• Caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• Results in a critically low CD4+ T cell count.
• Patients are highly susceptible to opportunistic infections.

Memory trick: Immune System's DEFEAT: Diseases, Exhaustion, Failure, Attacked T-cells.

An organism, typically a bacterium or archaeon, that produces its own food (is autotrophic) by using energy derived from the oxidation of inorganic chemical compounds, rather than from sunlight.

• Energy source: inorganic chemical reactions.
• Carbon source: carbon dioxide (CO2).
• Common in environments without sunlight, like deep-sea vents.

Memory trick: Autotrophs make their own, Heterotrophs hunt for food.

Strategies employed to interrupt the spread of infectious diseases by targeting the pathogen, host, or environment.

• Identify source of infection
• Block transmission routes
• Protect susceptible individuals
• Public health interventions are crucial

Memory trick: Source, then Spread, then Symptoms, then Sanitize.

A pattern of inheritance where an affected individual has one copy of a mutant allele and one normal allele on a non-sex chromosome, and the mutant allele is expressed, affecting offspring even if only one parent is affected.

• Trait appears in every generation (vertical transmission)
• Affected individuals have at least one affected parent
• Males and females are affected equally
• Affected heterozygotes transmit trait to ~50% of offspring

Memory trick: Dominant means it shows up, Recessive means it hides.

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels by promoting the uptake of glucose into body cells.

• Lowers blood glucose.
• Essential for glucose metabolism.
• Deficiency or resistance leads to diabetes mellitus.

Memory trick: Insulin lowers, Glucagon raises. Like a seesaw for blood sugar.

A group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division, leading to the formation of malignant tumors that can invade other parts of the body.

• Caused by mutations in genes that regulate the cell cycle.
• Results in abnormal cell proliferation.
• Can metastasize (spread) to distant sites.

Memory trick: Uncontrolled cell division is the hallmark of cancer, like a car with no brakes.

Nitrogen is a macronutrient essential for plant growth and development, playing a critical role in the synthesis of amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), chlorophyll, and ATP.

• Component of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
• Crucial for enzyme production and metabolic processes.
• Essential for chlorophyll synthesis (photosynthesis).
• Required for DNA and RNA synthesis (genetic material and protein synthesis machinery).

Memory trick: No Nitrogen, No New Proteins, No Notable Growth.

An essential macronutrient for plants, crucial for energy storage and transfer, and as a component of nucleic acids and cell membranes.

• Component of ATP (energy currency).
• Essential for DNA and RNA synthesis.
• Deficiency leads to stunted growth, dark green or purplish leaves, and poor root development.

Memory trick: N-P-K: Nitrogen for leaves, Phosphorus for roots/flowers, Potassium for overall health.

A genetic cross between two individuals that are heterozygous for the same gene, or between individuals with different genotypes for a single trait.

• Involves one trait.
• Predicts offspring genotypes and phenotypes.
• Punnett squares are used to visualize outcomes.

Memory trick: Mendel's Monohybrid Magic: One trait, two parents, predictable ratios.

A type of neuron that transmits sensory information from sensory receptors towards the central nervous system.

• Carries signals from periphery to CNS
• Associated with sensory organs (skin, eyes, ears)
• Also called afferent neurons

Memory trick: SAME: Sensory Afferent, Motor Efferent

A neuron that transmits sensory information from receptors in the periphery (e.g., skin, organs) to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) for interpretation.

• Also known as afferent neurons.
• Detect stimuli (light, touch, temperature, pain, etc.).
• Part of the peripheral nervous system that connects to the CNS.

Memory trick: Sensory Sends, Motor Moves, Inter Connects.

The process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed, often involving reintroducing native species or restoring natural processes.

• Aims to recover ecological integrity
• Can involve reintroducing native flora/fauna
• Often focuses on restoring ecosystem services (e.g., pollination)
• Contributes to biodiversity conservation

Memory trick: Restore habitats to help nature thrive.

A type of natural selection that favors individuals at both extremes of the phenotypic range over intermediate phenotypes.

• Favors extreme phenotypes
• Acts against intermediate phenotypes
• Can lead to speciation if extremes become reproductively isolated

Memory trick: SSD: Stabilize, Shift, Divide