AP Biology Flashcards: Responses To The Environment

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Responses To The Environment, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Biology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is a negative feedback loop?

Answer: A negative feedback loop counteracts changes in a system to maintain stability. Opposes deviations to restore original state.

Flashcard 2: Identify the primary role of glucagon.

Answer: Glucagon increases blood glucose levels by promoting the release of glucose from the liver. Raises blood sugar when energy is needed.

Flashcard 3: What is phototropism?

Answer: Phototropism is the growth of a plant towards or away from light. Plant shoots grow toward light for optimal photosynthesis.

Flashcard 4: Define photoperiodism.

Answer: Photoperiodism is the physiological reaction of organisms to the length of day or night. Day length triggers seasonal behaviors and development.

Flashcard 5: Define classical conditioning.

Answer: Classical conditioning is a learning process that pairs a neutral stimulus with a reflexive response. Associates unrelated stimuli to create conditioned responses.

Flashcard 6: What is the function of the endocrine system?

Answer: The endocrine system produces hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development. Chemical messengers coordinate long-term physiological changes.

Flashcard 7: What is the role of ethylene in plants?

Answer: Ethylene is a plant hormone that regulates fruit ripening and response to stress. Gas hormone triggering fruit maturation processes.

Flashcard 8: What is a stimulus in the context of biology?

Answer: A stimulus is any change in an organism's environment that elicits a response. Environmental changes trigger cellular and behavioral responses.

Flashcard 9: Define osmoregulation.

Answer: Osmoregulation is the control of water and solute concentrations in the body. Maintains proper fluid balance for cellular function.

Flashcard 10: Identify the primary role of glucagon.

Answer: Glucagon increases blood glucose levels by promoting the release of glucose from the liver. Raises blood sugar when energy is needed.

Flashcard 11: What is the purpose of a plant's stomata?

Answer: Stomata are pores that regulate gas exchange and water loss in plants. Control transpiration and photosynthetic gas exchange.

Flashcard 12: What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer: The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions like heartbeat and digestion. Operates without conscious control for basic functions.

Flashcard 13: What is the role of the pineal gland?

Answer: The pineal gland secretes melatonin, influencing sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Controls daily sleep-wake timing.

Flashcard 14: Define photoperiodism.

Answer: Photoperiodism is the physiological reaction of organisms to the length of day or night. Day length triggers seasonal behaviors and development.

Flashcard 15: What is the purpose of a plant's stomata?

Answer: Stomata are pores that regulate gas exchange and water loss in plants. Control transpiration and photosynthetic gas exchange.

Flashcard 16: What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer: The thalamus relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex. Processes and directs sensory information to brain.

Flashcard 17: What triggers the fight or flight response?

Answer: The fight or flight response is triggered by the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Stress hormones activate sympathetic nervous system.

Flashcard 18: Identify the role of auxins in plant response.

Answer: Auxins are hormones that regulate plant growth and response to light and gravity. They control cell elongation and directional growth responses.

Flashcard 19: Define osmoregulation.

Answer: Osmoregulation is the control of water and solute concentrations in the body. Maintains proper fluid balance for cellular function.

Flashcard 20: What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer: The thalamus relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex. Processes and directs sensory information to brain.

Flashcard 21: Define imprinting in animal behavior.

Answer: Imprinting is a rapid learning process occurring early in life, establishing long-lasting behavioral responses. Critical period learning that forms permanent attachments.

Flashcard 22: What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer: The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions like heartbeat and digestion. Operates without conscious control for basic functions.

Flashcard 23: What is the role of the pineal gland?

Answer: The pineal gland secretes melatonin, influencing sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Controls daily sleep-wake timing.

Flashcard 24: What is a negative feedback loop?

Answer: A negative feedback loop counteracts changes in a system to maintain stability. Opposes deviations to restore original state.

Flashcard 25: Describe the process of acclimatization.

Answer: Acclimatization is the gradual physiological adjustment to environmental changes. Physiological adjustment to new environmental conditions.

Flashcard 26: Define 'taxis' in biological terms.

Answer: Taxis is a directed movement toward or away from a stimulus. Movement has a clear direction relative to the stimulus source.

Flashcard 27: Identify the role of pheromones in animal behavior.

Answer: Pheromones are chemicals that influence the behavior or physiology of other members of the same species. Chemical communication for mating and territory marking.

Flashcard 28: What is operant conditioning?

Answer: Operant conditioning is a learning process where behavior is shaped by rewards or punishments. Consequences modify future behavior patterns.

Flashcard 29: Identify the role of gibberellins in plants.

Answer: Gibberellins are plant hormones that promote stem elongation and seed germination. Stimulate growth and break seed dormancy.

Flashcard 30: Identify the role of the sympathetic nervous system.

Answer: The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for stress-related activities. Activates during stress to mobilize energy resources.

Flashcard 31: What is learned behavior in animals?

Answer: Learned behavior is acquired through experience and environmental interactions. Behaviors modified by experience and practice.

Flashcard 32: Identify the role of the sympathetic nervous system.

Answer: The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for stress-related activities. Activates during stress to mobilize energy resources.

Flashcard 33: Define thermoregulation.

Answer: Thermoregulation is the process by which animals maintain their body temperature. Essential for enzyme function and cellular processes.

Flashcard 34: Define 'taxis' in biological terms.

Answer: Taxis is a directed movement toward or away from a stimulus. Movement has a clear direction relative to the stimulus source.

Flashcard 35: What is learned behavior in animals?

Answer: Learned behavior is acquired through experience and environmental interactions. Behaviors modified by experience and practice.

Flashcard 36: Define thermoregulation.

Answer: Thermoregulation is the process by which animals maintain their body temperature. Essential for enzyme function and cellular processes.

Flashcard 37: What is the role of ethylene in plants?

Answer: Ethylene is a plant hormone that regulates fruit ripening and response to stress. Gas hormone triggering fruit maturation processes.

Flashcard 38: Define classical conditioning.

Answer: Classical conditioning is a learning process that pairs a neutral stimulus with a reflexive response. Associates unrelated stimuli to create conditioned responses.

Flashcard 39: What is the function of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?

Answer: ADH regulates water balance by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys. Prevents dehydration by conserving body water.

Flashcard 40: What is the function of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?

Answer: ADH regulates water balance by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys. Prevents dehydration by conserving body water.

Flashcard 41: Define the term 'kinesis' in biology.

Answer: Kinesis is a non-directional response to a stimulus, resulting in increased activity. Movement lacks direction but changes in response intensity.

Flashcard 42: What is the definition of a tropism?

Answer: A tropism is a growth response toward or away from a stimulus in plants. Directional growth response to environmental stimuli.

Flashcard 43: What is phototropism?

Answer: Phototropism is the growth of a plant towards or away from light. Plant shoots grow toward light for optimal photosynthesis.

Flashcard 44: What is operant conditioning?

Answer: Operant conditioning is a learning process where behavior is shaped by rewards or punishments. Consequences modify future behavior patterns.

Flashcard 45: Identify the role of gibberellins in plants.

Answer: Gibberellins are plant hormones that promote stem elongation and seed germination. Stimulate growth and break seed dormancy.

Flashcard 46: Define the term 'kinesis' in biology.

Answer: Kinesis is a non-directional response to a stimulus, resulting in increased activity. Movement lacks direction but changes in response intensity.

Flashcard 47: What is the role of insulin in the body?

Answer: Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels by facilitating cellular uptake of glucose. Lowers blood sugar by enabling glucose absorption.

Flashcard 48: What is the role of insulin in the body?

Answer: Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels by facilitating cellular uptake of glucose. Lowers blood sugar by enabling glucose absorption.

Flashcard 49: Identify the primary function of the hypothalamus.

Answer: The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis and links the nervous system to the endocrine system. Central control center for body's internal balance.

Flashcard 50: Define imprinting in animal behavior.

Answer: Imprinting is a rapid learning process occurring early in life, establishing long-lasting behavioral responses. Critical period learning that forms permanent attachments.

Flashcard 51: Identify the role of pheromones in animal behavior.

Answer: Pheromones are chemicals that influence the behavior or physiology of other members of the same species. Chemical communication for mating and territory marking.

Flashcard 52: What is a stimulus in the context of biology?

Answer: A stimulus is any change in an organism's environment that elicits a response. Environmental changes trigger cellular and behavioral responses.

Flashcard 53: Identify the primary function of the hypothalamus.

Answer: The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis and links the nervous system to the endocrine system. Central control center for body's internal balance.