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biology vocabulary

Terms in this set (85)

homeostasis
stable internal conditions suitable for survival; maintaining a balance
asexual reproduction
production of offspring that are genetically identical to the parent (no fusion of gametes)
sexual reproduction
offspring produced by the nomination of genetic material from two parents
unicellular
having only one cell
multicellular
contains more than one/many cells
proteins
macromolecule made up of amino acids and is used for tissue structure and chemical reactions
lipids
macromolecule made up of fatty acids & is used for energy storage & insulation
carbohydrates
macromolecule made up of sugar units & is used for energy
nucleic acids
macromolecule made up of nucleotide subunits & is used for storing genetic information
enzymes
protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in the body
buffers
chemical that keeps body pH in a stable range
solvent
substance that dissolves another substance
solute
substance being dissolved
organelles
cell part that performs vital functions for the cell
nucleus
control center for the cell; contains DNA
plasma membrane
semipermeable membrane that only certain molecules or ions can pass through
cell wall
cell part used by some cells (plant) for support and structure
mitochondria
cell part that burns food to make cell energy
vacuoles
cell part that stores water, food, and wastes
Chloroplasts
site of photosynthesis in plant cells
Ribosomes
site of protein synthesis in a cell
golgi apparatus
a system of membranes in eukaryotic cells that modifies proteins for export by the cell
endoplasmic reticulum
a system of membranes tubules and sacs in eukaryotic cells that functions as a path along which molecules move from one part of the cell to another
centriole
a structure that appears during mitosis in animal cell
cilia
hair like projection from cell used for movement and/or trapping food
prokaryotic
cell with no nucleus and no membrane bound organelles
eukaryotic
cell with a nucleus and membrane bound organelles (plant & animal)
flagella
hair-like projection from cell used for movement and/or trapping food
pseudopods
"false foot"; an extension of cell membrane and cytoplasm
eyespots
localized region of pigment in some invertebrates & protozoa that detects changes in the quantity and quality of light
adaptation
inherited trait that increases an organisms chance of survival in a particular environment
innate
genetically determined (inherited) behavior
cell differentiation
each cell matures into a specialized cell & performs its own job
gametes
a reproductive cell
meiosis
cell division in which one cell becomes four cells and the chromosome number is halved
homologous chromosomes
a matching set of chromosomes (one maternal, one paternal) that pair up during meiosis
DNA
nucleic acid; deoxyribonucleic acid; stores genetics information; double stranded double helix
double helix
watson & crick; spiral staircase; used to explain the structure of DNA
gene
a segment of DNA that contains coding for a polypeptide or protein; a unit of hereditary information
replication
one DNA molecule is copied to make two identical DNA molecules
transcription
process in which DNA is used to make a segment of RNA (mRNA) (occurs in the nucleus)
translation
process in which mRNA is used to build a protein (occurs in the cytoplasm at the ribosomes)
mRNA
the molecule that is transcribed from DNA; carries DNA information from nucleus to cytoplasm
tRNA
the molecule that is used to bring amino acids to the ribosome for protein synthesis
rRNA
the type of RNA found in a ribosome
mutation
change in DNA
Nucleic Acids
macromolecule made up of nucleotide subunits and is used for storing genetic information
RNA
ribonucleic acid; single stranded; uses the genetic information from DNA to go & make a protein
Meiosis
cell division in which one cell becomes 4 cells and the chromosome number is halved
Crossing Over
the exchange of genetic material during meiosis; allows for genetic variation
Gametes
a reproductive cell
gel electrophoresis
process that uses electricity to separate DNA fragments based on size
Restriction Enzymes
a protein that recognizes specific sequences in a DNA molecule and cuts it into pieces
DNA Fingerprinting:
a diagram of DNA fragments; used to see who committed a crime if two species are closely related
Phenotype:
the external appearance of an organism
Genotype
the genetic material of an organism (usually 2 letters)
Allele
an alternative form of a gene
Homologous Chromosomes:
a matching set of chromosomes (one maternal, one paternal) that pair up during meiosis
Codon
3 base pair
natural selection
organisms best suited for the environment will survive & reproduce better than those who are not
photosynthesis
the conversion of light energy into chemical energy stored in organic compounds
cellular respiration
the process in which cells make ATP by breaking down organic compounds
greenhouse effect
radiant energy from the sun is trapped by gases in the earths atmosphere
Global Warming
increase in average temperature of Earth & the atmosphere due in part to increased Carbon Dioxide
Nitrogen Cycle
the pathway that nitrogen follows within an ecosystem
carbon cycle
process in which carbon is cycled through the biosphere
autotroph
an organism that can make its own food
heterotrpoh
an organism that cannot make its own food
consumer
an organism that cannot makes its own food
producer
an organism that can make its own food
exponential growth
an increase in the members of a population that is never limited nay food, disease, etc (no limiting factors)
logistic growth
a model of population growth in which birth and death rates vary with population size and are equal of the carrying capacity
Photosynthesis
process plants use to convert light energy into chemical energy
cellular respiration
process that uses energy stored in food to make ATP
decomposer
an organism that absorbs nutrients from dead organisms (they break things down)
ecology
the study of the relationship between organisms and their environment
energy pyramid
the graphical representation of the trophic levels (nutritional) by which the incoming solar energy is transferred into an ecosystem. The source of energy for living beings on Earth in the sun
Greenhouse effect
radiant energy from the sun is trapped by gases in the earths atmosphere
global warming
increase in average temperature of earth & the atmosphere due in part to increased Carbon Dioxide
nitrogen cycle
the pathway that nitrogen follows within an ecosystem
carbon cycle
process in which carbon is cycled through the biosphere
community
all the population in one area
Ecosystem
all the biotic and abiotic components of an environment
consumers
an organism that cannot make its own food
producers
an organism that can make its own food
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