| Term | Definition |
|---|
| organism | any living thing |
| cell | smallest unit of an organism that carries on the functions of life |
| stimulus | anything that an organism responds to |
| response | how you react to a stimulus |
| adaptation | any characteristic an organism has that makes it better suited to its environment |
| homeostasis | maintaining a steady condition inside of an organism no matter what is going on in the environment outside |
| development | all the changes that organisms undergo as they grow |
| life span | the length of time that an organism is expected to live |
| scientific method | an organizational tool that takes the form of a series of procedures; 6 parts |
| hypothesis | a prediction that can be tested; if... then... format |
| variable group | the factor that the scientist is testing for in the experiment |
| control group | the standard; used to compare with the outcome of a test |
| theory | an explanation of things or events based on many observations that can be easily changed |
| law | based on repeating data that tells us how nature works and can be changed but not easily |
| Compound Light Microscope | has 2 or more lenses, objects viewed through 2 eyepieces are 3D, 2-4 movable objective lenses, light to be able to see |
| Electron Microscope | uses a magnetic field in a vacuum to direct beams of electrons; magnify 1,000,000 times |
| cell theory | (1) All organisms are made up of one or more cells (2) Cells are the basic units of structure and function in all organisms (3) All cells come from cells that already exist |
| cell membrane | structure that forms the outer boundary of the cell and allows only certain thinkgs to move in and out of the cell |
| nucleus | largest organelle in a cell; directs all the activities in a cell |
| chromatin | hereditary material; genetic blueprints for the operations of a cell; turns thick and becomes chromosomes when cells thicken and are ready to divide |
| cytoplasm | a gel-like substance inside the cell membrane and outside of the nucleus; mostly water; holds all organelles |
| organelles | the structures within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells |
| endoplasmic reticulum (ER) | folded membrane that moves materials around the cells; extends from nucleus to cell membrane; 2 types |
| rough ER | folded membrane covered with ribosomes |
| smooth ER | folded membrane not covered with anything |
| ribosome | place where cells make their own proteins |
| golgi body | stacks of membrane-covered sacs that package & move proteins to the outside of the cell |
| mitochondria | place where food particles are broken down and energy is released |
| lysosome | contain chemicals that digest wastes and worn out cell parts and also break down food |
| vacuole | storage organelles that store water or food |
| cell wall | rigid structure on the outside of the cell membrane that supports and protects only a plant cell (not in animal cells) |
| chloroplasts | organelle only in plant cells in which light energy is changed into chemical energy in the form of sugar |
| chlorophyll | a chemical in chloroplasts that capture the light energy |
| tissue | a group of similar cells that work together |
| organ | structures made up of different tissues |
| biological organization | cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere |
| metabolism | the total of all chemical reactions in an organism |
| producer | an organism that makes its own food |
| consumer | an organism that obtains its food by eating other organisms |
| sperm | a sex cell that forms in male reproductive organs |
| egg | a sex cell that forms in female reproductive organs |
| fertilization | the joining of and egg and a sperm |
| zygote | the cell that forms after fertilization |
| Homo sapians | early humans |
| extinction | a species of organisms that is no longer in existence |
| endangered species | species of organisms that are close to becoming extinct |
| classify | to group ideas, information, or objects based on similartities |
| taxonomy | the science of classifying and naming organisms |
| kingdom | largest of the taxonomic categories; 6 kingdoms(animal, plant, fungi, protist, eubacteria & archaebacteria) |
| binomial nomenclature | 2-word naming system that gives all organisms their scientific name |
| genus | a group of different organisms that have similar characteristics |
| species | smallest most precise classifications category |
| phylogeny | an organisms evolutionary history |
| phylum | 2nd biggest classification category |
| division | the way the plant kingdom is classified into major groups; same as phylum |
| class | 3rd biggest classification category |
| order | 4th biggest classification category |
| family | 3rd smallest classification category |
| dichotomus key | a detailed list of identifying characteristics that include scientific method |
| protist | a single or many-celled organism that lives in moist or wet surrounding |
| algae | plant-like protists; 1 or many-celled; make their own food |
| protozoa | animal-like protists; live in water, soil & living & dead organisms; 4 types: sarodines, flagellates, ciliates and sporozoans |
| pseudopods | temporary extension of the cytoplasm ("false feet") |
| cilia | short-thread like structure that extends from the cell membrane use in movement in grabbing food |
| hyphae | mass of many-celled, threadlike tubes forming the body of the fungi |
| spores | waterproof reproductive cell that can grow into a new organism; in asexual reproduction mitosis and cell division produce them |
| sporangia | round cases that zygote fungi keep their spores in; when opened millions of spores are released into the air |
| ascus | sac that spores of sac fungi are found in; spores are released when the sac fungi breaks open |
| budding | form of asexual reproduction in which a new organism forms on the side of a parent organism; genetically identical |
| basidium | club-shaped, reproductive structure in which club fungi produce spores |
| lichen | an organism that's made of fungi and either green algae or cyanobacteria |
| cellulose | chemical compound made out of sugar; forms tangled fibers in the cell walls of many plants and provides structure and support |
| cuticle | waxy, protective layer that covers the stem, leaves and flowers of many plants to prevent water loss |
| vascular plant | plant with tube like structures that move minerals, water and other substances throughout the plant |
| nonvascular plant | plant that absorbs water and other substances directly through its cell walls instead of through tube like structures |
| gymnosperms | vascular plants that produce seeds on the scales of female cones |
| angiosperms | vascular plants that produce flowers and fruits |
| monocot | seeds that have 1 cotyledon, leaves have parallel veins and flower petals are multiples of 3; ex: corn and tulips |
| dicot | seeds that have 2 cotyledon, leaves have branching veins and 4-5 flower petals |
| xylem | vascular tissue that forms hollow vessels that transport substances, other than sugar throughout a plant |
| phloem | vascular tissue that forms tubes that transport dissolved sugar throughout a plant |
| stomata | tiny opening in a plant's epidermis through which CO₂, water vapor and oxygen enter & exit |
| guard cells | pair of cells that surround stomata and controls whether it opens or closes |
| ovule | in seed plants, the female reproductive part that produces eggs |
| pollen grain | small structure produced by male reproductive organs of a seed plant; water resistant coat; can develop from a spore, & contains gametophyte parts that will produce sperm |
| stamen | male reproductive organ inside the flower of an angiosperm; consists of an anther, where pollen grains form and a filament |
| pistil | female reproductive organ inside the flower of an angiosperm; consists of a sticky stigma, where pollen grains land, and an ovary |
| ovary | swollen base of an angiosperm's pistil, where egg-producing ovules are found |
| pollination | transfer of pollen grains to the female part of a seed plant by agents such as gravity, water, wind & animals |
| transpiration | evaporation of water off plants |
| photosynthesis | process by which plants and many other producers use light energy to produce a simple sugar from CO₂and water and give off oxygen |
| respiration | process by which producers and consumers release stored energy from food molecules ; series of chemical reactions used to release energy stored in food molecules |
| vertebrate | animals with a backbone |
| invertebrate | animals without a backbone |
| radial symmetry | body parts are arranged in a circle around a center point |
| bilateral symmetry | body parts are arranged in the same way on both sides of the body |
| asymmetry | no symmetry |
| chordate | a huge phylum that has subphyla called vertebrata, tunicates and lancelets |
| notochord | flexible rod-like structures along the dorsal side of an animal |
| dorsal hollow nerve cord | tubular bundle of nerves that lie above the notochord |
| gill slits | paired openings located in the throat behind the mouth |
| endoskeleton | vertebrae and other bones that are internal and supports and protects the internal organs |
| exoskeleton | thick, hard, outer coating that protects and supports arthropod bodies and provides places for muscles to attach |
| ectotherm | an animal whose internal body temperature changes when the environment temperature changes (cold blooded) |
| endotherm | animals that keep a constant internal body temperature (warm blooded) |
| fish | ectotherms; 3 types: jawless, cartilaginous & bony; vertebrates; live in water |
| fin | structure used by fish for steering, balancing and movement |
| scales | hard, thin, overlapping plates that cover the skin & protect the fish's body |
| cartilage | tough, flexible tissue that is not as hard as bone |
| amphibian | ectothermic vertebrates that live part of their life in water and part of their life in land |
| hibernation | a period of inactivity and lower metabolic needs during the cold winter months |
| estivation | a period of inactivity and lower metabolic needs during the hot, dry summer months |
| reptile | ectothermic, vertebrate with dry, scaly skin |
| amniotic egg | leathery egg that provides a complete environment for the developing embryo |
| incubate | keep eggs warm by sitting on them |
| contour feathers | strong & lightweight; give birds their color & shape; us to fly & help with steering & keeps them from tipping over |
| down feathers | soft & feathery; gives insulation in adult birds & covers the body of baby birds; helps birds to keep a constant temperature |
| mammal | endothermic vertebrate; have hair & produce milk to feed to their young |
| mammary glands | produce the milk in female mammals to feed their young |
| herbivore | animal that only eats plants |
| carnivore | animal that only eats animals |
| omnivore | animal that eats both plants and animals |
| monotremes | mammals that lay eggs with tough, leathery shells |
| marsupials | pouched mammals that give birth to tiny, immature offsprings |
| placental mammal | embryos develop inside the uterus of the female mammal |
| gestation period | the time it takes for the embryo to develop |
| placenta | a sac-like organ developed by the embryo that attaches to the uterus |
| umbilical cord | cord that attaches to the embryo that absorbs oxygen & food from females blood |
| biosphere | part of earth that supports living organisms (topmost crust, the water & the surrounding atmosphere) |
| ecology | the study of interactions that take place among organisms & between organisms & the physical features of the environment |
| biotic factors | living organisms in the biosphere |
| abiotic factors | nonliving organisms in the biosphere |
| population | organisms of the same species that living in the same place and can produce young |
| community | group of populations that interact with eachother in a given area |
| ecosystems | made up of the biotic communities and the abiotic factors that affect it |
| predator | a consumer that captures and eats another consumer |
| prey | the organism that is captures by a predator |
| symbiosis | any close relationship between 2 or more different species |
| mutualism | a symbiotic relationship that benefits both species |
| commensalism | a symbiotic relationship that benefits one partner & doesn't harm or help the other |
| parasitism | a symbiotic relationship that benefits the parasite & harms the host |
| habitat | place where an organism lives and that provides the types of food, shelter, moisture, & temperature needed for surival |
| niche | the unique ways an organism survives, obtains food and shelter, & avoids danger |
| food chain | simple way of showing how energy from food passes from one organism to another |
| food web | series of overlapping food chains |
| ecological pyramid | shows the transfer of energy |
| water cycle | cycle describing how water moves from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back to the surface again through evaporation, condensation, & precipitation |
| skeletal system | all the bones in your body |
| periosteum | a tough, tight-fitting membrane that covers the surface of the bone |
| marrow | fatty tissue in the spaces of spongy bone in long bones; produces red & white blood cells |
| joint | any place where 2 or more bones meet |
| ligament | tough band of tissues that holds the bones together at the joints |
| immovable joint | allows little or no movement; found in the joints of the skull & pelvis |
| movable joint | allows the body to make a large range of movement |
| muscle | organ that can relax, contract, & provide the force to move the bones & body parts |
| voluntary muscle | a muscle you are able to control; ex: bicep, tricep, quads & calf muscles |
| involuntary muscle | muscles you can't control; ex: heart muscles & the muscles throughout you digestive tract |
| skeletal muscle | muscles that move the bone; attached to the bone; most bones are skeletal; voluntary |
| tendon | thick band of tissue that attaches skeletal muscles to the bone |
| smooth muscle | involuntary muscles that move many internal organs; Ex: blood vessels & intestines |
| cardiac muscle | found only in the heart; involuntary; contracts about 70 times per minute |
| epidermis | surface layer of skin; cells are dead; |
| melanin | pigment that gives your skin color; it increases when you are in the sun; found in the cells of the epidermis |
| dermis | layer of tissue under the epidermis; thicker; contains blood vessels, nerves and oil & sweat glands |
| nutrient | substances in foods that provide energy & materials for cell development growth and repair |
| carbohydrate | main source of energy for the body; contains carbon, hydrogen & oxygen atoms; types: sugar, starch and cellulose |
| protein | used for growth; come in the form of enzymes;help repair cells; made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen atoms; made of amino acids |
| enzyme | a type of protein the can change the rate of chemical reaction |
| Essential amino acid | body can't make on its own; needed for cells to make specific proteins; get them from eggs, milk, beef, fish & some whole grains |
| fat | needed for energy; help the body absorb vitamins; 2 types: unsaturated and saturated |
| unsaturated fat | come from plants and are liquid at room temperature; all of your oils |
| saturated fat | found in red meat, butter & cheese; solid at room temperature |
| vitamins | essential organic nutrients need in small quantities to help your body use other nutrients; promote growth and regulate body function |
| minerals | inorganic materials that regulate many chemical reactions in your body; Ex: calcium and phospherous |
| food group | foods that contain the same nutrients |
| digestion | mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into small molecules that cells can absorb and use |
| mechanical digestion | breaking down food through chewing, mixing and churning |
| chemical digestion | occurs when enzymes and other chemicals break down large food molecules into smaller ones |
| saliva | watery substance that help break down food chemically; beginning of chemical digestion |
| peristalsis | waves of muscular contractions that move food down the digestive tract |
| chyme | the liquid that was once your food |
| villi | small, fingerlike projections covering the wall of the small intestine which help with absorption |
| atria | 2 upper chambers of the heart |
| ventricle | 2 lower chambers of the heart |
| artery | take blood away from the heart to all parts of the body; all carry oxgenated blood except the pulmonary artery which carries carbon dioxide in it and is taking it to the lungs |
| vein | carry blood to the heart; all carry deoxygenated blood except the pulmonary vein that takes oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart |
| capillary | microscopic vessels that connect arteries to veins; where nutrients and oxygen pass through to the tissues of the body and where carbon dioxide and wastes pass from the tissues of the body to the blood |
| plasma | the liquid part of the blood; made mostly of water; nutrients and oxygen are dissolved here |
| hemoglobin | chemical that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide |
| platelets | irregularly shaped cell fragments that help in the clotting of the blood; life span 5-9 days |
| pharynx | tubelike path for food and air |
| epiglottis | flat piece of tissue that covers the trachea when you eat of drink but opens when you breath |
| larynx | spot on top of trachea where the vocal cords are |
| trachea | cartilage reinforced tube that carries air to the bronchi; covered with "c" shaped rings of cartilage; cilia lines it to catch dust, pollen and bacteria |
| bronchi | 2 short branches that carry air to the lungs; break up into smaller and smaller tubes called bronchioles when they get into the lungs |
| alveoli | thin walled sacs that are at the ends of bronchioles; surrounded by capillaries; where the exchange of carbon dioxide & oxygen is |
| diaphragm | a muscle beneath your lungs that helps to move air in and out of your body |
| urinary system | a system in the excretory system that gets rid of wastes out of the blood that results from the metabolism of nutrients; controls blood volume by getting rid of excess water produced in the cells |
| kidney | organ that filters blood that has collected wastes; all blood goes through this organ; contains nephrons and produce urine |
| nephron | the filtering unit of the kidneys; surrounded by capillaries; collects water, sugar, salt and wastes from the blood and sends it to a tube where it collects then moves to the ureter to be eliminated |
| urine | the waste liquid that is made up of water, sugar, salt and other wastes that the body doesnt need |
| ureter | tubes that move urine from each kidney to the bladder |
| bladder | muscular organ that holds uringe until it leaves the body through the urethra |
| urethra | tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body |
| neuron | the nerve cell which is the working unit of the nervous system; carries messages called impulses |
| dendrite | recieve the messages and send them on to the cell body |
| axon | carries messages away from the cell body |
| cerebrum | largest part of the brain, divided into 2 hemispheres; messages are interpreted here; memories are stored here and it controls the voluntary muscle movement |
| cerebellum | behind and under the cerebrum; coordinates voluntary muscle movements; helps keep muscles toned; helps keep you balance |
| brain stem | connects to the brain and the spinal cord; controls involuntary muscles |
| hormone | chemical produced in humans that is releases directly in the bloodstream that can speed up or slow down cellulose activities |
| testis | male organ that produces sperm and testosterone |
| semen | mixture of sperm and a fluid that helps sperm move and supplies them with an energy source |
| ovulation | monthly process in which an egg is released from the ovary and enters the oviduct, where it can be fertilized by sperm |
| uterus | in female humans, hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ where a fertilized egg develops into a baby |
| menstrual cycle | hormone controlled monthly cycle of changes in the female reproductive system that includes the maturation of an egg and preparation of the uterus for possible pregnancy |
| mentruation | monthly flow of blood and tissue cells that occurs when the lining of the uterus breaks down and is shed |
| menopause | when a women stops her monthly cycle her ovary stops releasing eggs and she stops her mentration cycle |
| immune system | first and second line of defense to protect your body from pathogens |
| antigen | molecules that are foreign to your body |
| antibody | a protein made in response to a specific antigen; attaches to the antigen nd makes it not work anymore |
| active immunity | body makes own antibodies to get rid of antigens |
| passive immunity | antibodies that have been produced in another animal are introduced into your body |
| lymphocyte | a type of white blood cell that fights infection |
| flagella | long, thin whiplike structures that helps organisms move through moist or wet surroundings |
| aerobe | any organism that uses oxygen for respiration |
| anaerobe | any organism that is able to live without oxygen |
| fission | simplest form of asexual reproduction in which 2 new cells are produced with genetic material identical to eachother & identical to the previous cell |
| antibiotic | chemical produced by some bacteria that are used to limit the growth of other bacteria |
| pathogen | disease-producing organism |
| toxin | posionous substance produced by some pathogens |
| endospore | thick-walled, protective structure produced by some bacteria when conditions are unfavorable for survival |
| vaccine | made from damaged particles that are from bacterial cell walls or killed bacteria and used to help your white blood cells to recognize that certain type of bacteria your infected with and then they kill it off |
| Nitrogen-fixing bacteria | change nitrogen from the air into forms that plants and animals can use |
| vagina | muscular tube that connects the lower end of a female's uterus to the outside of the body; the birth canal through which a baby travels when being born |
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