PSSA Life Science Flashcards
6 cards from real PSSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 PSSA Life Science flashcards as text
What is the function of the nucleus in a cell?
Answer: To control the cell's activities and store DNA
The nucleus serves as the control center of the cell, containing DNA and directing cellular activities.
Which of the following best describes natural selection?
Answer: Organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce
Natural selection is the process by which individuals with favorable traits survive and reproduce more successfully, passing those traits to offspring.
What is the difference between a vertebrate and an invertebrate?
Answer: Vertebrates have a backbone; invertebrates do not
Vertebrates have a backbone (vertebral column), while invertebrates lack this internal skeletal structure.
Which body system is responsible for fighting disease and infection?
Answer: Immune system
The immune system defends the body against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and other harmful invaders.
What is photosynthesis' chemical equation?
Answer: CO₂ + H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ (with light)
Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using light energy: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
Which of the following is a characteristic shared by ALL living things?
Answer: They all respond to their environment
All living organisms respond to stimuli in their environment, which is one of the universal characteristics of life.