Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Biology > Basic Biology Terms > Flashcards

Basic Biology Terms Flashcards

1
Q

abdomen

A

the region of the body between the thorax and the pelvis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

abiogenesis

A

a hypothetical organic phenomenon by which living organisms are created from nonliving matter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

absorption

permeates

A

a process in which one substance permeates another

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

activation energy

atomic system

A

the energy that an atomic system must acquire before a process (such as emission or reaction) can occur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

active transport

cell membrane, Concentration gradient

A

transport of a substance across a cell membrane against the concentration gradient; requires an expenditure of energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

allele

gene, locus

A

any of the forms of a gene that can occupy the same locus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

alteration of generations

two or more forms

A

the alteration of two or more different forms in the life cycle of a plant of animal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

anabolism

synthesis, living organisms, storage of energy

A

the synthesis in living organisms of more complex substances (e.e, living tissue) from simpler ones together with the storage of energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

antibiotic

A

a substance used to kill microorganisms and cure infections

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

antigen

stimulates, immune response

A

any substance that stimulates an immune response in the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

appendicular skeleton

A

the part of the skeleton that includes the pectoral girdle and the pelvic girdle and the upper and lower limbs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

asexual reproduction

A

reproduction without the fusion of gametes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

atrium

A

a chamber connected to other chambers or passageways

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

axial skeleton

A

the part of the skeleton the includes the skull and spinal column and sternum and ribs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

bilateral symmetry

A

the property of being symmetrical about a vertical plane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

bile

A

a digestive juice secreted by the liver

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

biomass

A

the total amount of living matter in a given unit area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

biome

A

major ecological community with distinct climate and flora

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

biosynthesis

A

production of a chemical compound by a living organism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

bivalve

A

marine of freshwater mollusks having a soft body with platelike gills enclosed within two shelled hinged together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

bone marrow

A

the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

botany

A

the branch of biology that studies plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

catabolism

A

breakdown in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones together with the release of energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

catalyst

A

substance that indicates or accelerates a chemical reaction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

cell wall

A

a rigid layer of polysaccharides enclosing a plant membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

cellulose

A

a polysaccharide that is the chief constituent of all plant tissue and fibers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

centromer

A

a specialised condensed region of each chromosome that appears during mitosis where the chromatids are held together to form an X shape

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

cerebellum

A

a major division of the vertebrate brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

cerebrum

A

anterior portion of the brain consisting of two hemispheres

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

chemical change

A

process determined by substances’ composition and structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

chitin

A

component of arthropods’ exoskeletons and bodies of fungi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

chlorophyll

A

any of green pigments found in photosynthetic organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

chloroplast

A

organelle in which photosynthesis takes place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

chromatin

A

the readily stainable substances of a cell nucleus consisting of DNA and RNA and various proteins; during mitotic division it condenses into chromosomes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

chromosome

A

a threadlike strand of DNA that carries genes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

circulatory system

A

the organs and tissues involved in circulating blood and lymph through the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

codon

A

a specific sequence of three adjacent nucleotides on a strand of DNA or RNA that specifies the genetic cod information for synthesising a particular amino acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

cohesion

A

the state of sticking together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

commensalism

A

when one organism benefits from another without damaging it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

community

A

a group of people living in a particular local area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

compound eye

A

in insects and some crustaceans: composed of many light-sensitive elements each forming a portion of an image

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

concentration

A

the spatial property of being crowded together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

conjugation

A

the state of being joined together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

cotyedon

A

embryonic leaf in seed-bearing plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

cytology

A

the branch of biology that studies the structure and function of cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

cytolysis

A

pathological breakdown of cells by the destruction of their outer membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

cytoplasm

A

the substance inside a cell, not including the nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

cytoskeleton

A

a microscopic network of actin filaments and microtubules in the cytoplasm of many living cells that gives the cell shape and coherence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

deciduous plant

A

a plant having foliage that is shed annually at the end of the growing season

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

diffusion

A

the act of dispersing something

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

digestion

A

the process by which the body breaks down food

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

dihybrid cross

A

hybridisation using two traits with alleles each

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

dominant allele

A

an allele that produces the same phenotype whether its paired allele is identical or different

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

ecology

A

the environment as it relates to living organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

ecoststem

A

organisms interacting with their physical environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

ectoplasm

A

the outer granule-free layer of cytoplasm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

ectothermic

A

of animals except birds and mammals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

element

A

a substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

endoplasm

A

the inner portion of the cytoplasm of a cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

endoskeleton

A

the internal skeleton; bony and cartilaginous structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

endospore

A

a small asexual spore that develops inside the cell of some bacteria and algae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

endothermic

A

occurring of formed with absorption of heat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

epidermis

A

the outer layer of skin covering the body surface

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

epithelium

A

membranous tissue covering internal organs and other internal surfaces of the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

excretion

A

the process of discharging waste matter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

exoskeleton

A

the exterior protective of supporting structure or shell of many animals (especially invertebrates) including bony or horny parts such as nails or scales or hoofs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

eyespot

A

an eyelike marking

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

fermentation

A

breaking down an organic substance, such as sugar into alcohol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

flagellate

A

whip or scourge; punish as if by whipping

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

foot

A

the pedal extremity of vertebrates other than human beings

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

fruit

A

the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

gemmule

A

the physically discrete element the Darwin proposed as responsible for heredity

73
Q

gene

A

part of DNA controlling physical characteristics and growth

74
Q

genetics

A

the study of heredity and variation in organism

75
Q

genotype

A

the genetic makeup of a particular organism

76
Q

gestation

A

the period during which embryo develops

77
Q

gonad

A

a gland in which gametes (sex cells) are produced

78
Q

greenhouse effect

A

warming when solar radiation is trapped by the atmosphere

79
Q

haustorium

A

a root-like attachment in parasitic plants that penetrates and obtains food from the host

80
Q

hermaphroditic

A

of animal or plant

81
Q

hibernation

A

the resting state in which some animals pass the winter

82
Q

holdfast

A

restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place

83
Q

homeostasis

A

metabolic equilibrium maintained by biological mechanisms

84
Q

hydrogen bond

A

a chemical bond consisting of a hydrogen atom between two electronegative atoms (e.g, oxygen or nitrogen) with one side being a covalent bond and the other being an ionic bond

85
Q

hydrolysis

A

a chemical reaction in which water reacts with a compound to produce other compounds; involves the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion from the water

86
Q

hydrophobia

A

lacking affinity for water

87
Q

hypha

A

any of the threadlike filaments forming the mycelium of fungus

88
Q

hypothesis

A

a tentative insight that is not yet verified or tested

89
Q

inheritance

A

hereditary succession to a title or an office or property

90
Q

isotonic solution

A

a solution having the same osmotic pressure as blood

91
Q

karyotype

A

the appearance of the chromosomal makeup of a somatic cell in an individual or species (including the number and arrangement and size and structure of the chromosomes)

92
Q

loam

A

a rich soil consisting of sand, clay and organic materials

93
Q

lysosome

A

an organelle found in the cytoplasm of most cells

94
Q

macroevolution

A

evolution and a large scale extending over geologic era and resulting in the formation of new taxonoimic groups

95
Q

mantle

A

a sleeveless garment like a cloak but shorter

96
Q

matter

A

that which has mass and occupies space

97
Q

medulla oblongata

A

lower or hindmost part of the brain

98
Q

medusa

A

one of two forms that coelenterates take: it is the free-swimming sexual phrase in the life cycle of a coelenterate; in this phase it has gelatinous umbrella-shaped body and tentacles

99
Q

meiosis

A

cell division that produces reproductive cells

100
Q

membrane

A

a sheet of tissue that lines or connects organs or cells

101
Q

masenchyme

A

mesodermal tissue that forms connective tissue and blood and smooth muscles

102
Q

messenger RNA

A

the template for protein synthesis

103
Q

metabolism

A

the organic process that are necessary for life

104
Q

microevolution

A

evolution resulting from small specific genetic changes that can lead to a new subspecies

105
Q

mitosis

A

the process by which a cell divides into two smaller cells

106
Q

model

A

a representation of something, often on a smaller scale

107
Q

molt

A

cast off hair, skin, horn or feather

108
Q

monohybrid cross

A

hybridisation using a single trait with two alleles

109
Q

mother cell

A

cell from which another cell of an organism develops

110
Q

mutation

A

a change or alteration in form or qualities

111
Q

mutualism

A

the relation between two organisms that benefit each other

112
Q

mycelium

A

the vegetative part of a fungus consisting of a mass branching threadlike hyphae

113
Q

nervous system

A

the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells

114
Q

neurotoxin

A

an toxin that affects neural tissues

115
Q

notochord

A

a flexible rodlike structure that forms the supporting axis of the body in the lowest chordates and lowest vertebrates and in embryos of higher vertebrates

116
Q

nucleus

A

a part of the cell responsible for growth and reproduction

117
Q

osmosis

A

difusion of molecules through a semipermeable membrane

118
Q

paleontology

A

the earth science that studies fossil organisms

119
Q

pararsite

A

an animal or plant that lives in or on a host

120
Q

parasitism

A

when one organism benefits from another by causing damage

121
Q

passive transport

A

transport of a substance across a cell membrane by diffusion

122
Q

pathogen

A

any disease-producing agent

123
Q

pedigree

A

the ancestry or lineage of an individual

124
Q

pellicle

A

thin protective membrane in some protozoa

125
Q

peptide bond

A

the primary linkage of all protein structures

126
Q

phagocytosis

A

process in which phagocytes engulf and digest microorganisms and cellular debris; an important defence against infection

127
Q

phase

A

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

128
Q

phenotype

A

observable characteristics produced by genes and environment

129
Q

pholem

A

plant tissue that conducts synthesised food substances

130
Q

phospholipid

A

any various compounds composed of fatty acids and phosphoric acid and a nitrogenous base; an important constituent of membrane

131
Q

photosynthesis

A

formation of compounds in plants aided by radiant energy

132
Q

phototropism

A

an organism’s orienting response to light

133
Q

physical change

A

a change from one state (solid, liquid or gas) to another without a change in chemical composition

134
Q

physiology

A

the science dealing with the function of organisms

135
Q

phytoplankton

A

photosynthesis or plant constituent of plankton

136
Q

placenta

A

the vascular structure in the uterus of most mammals providing oxygen and nutrients for and transferring wastes from the developing fetus`

137
Q

plankton

A

aggregate of small organisms that float or drift in water

138
Q

plasma mambrane

A

a thin membrane enclosing the cytoplasm of a cell

139
Q

plasmid

A

a small cellular inclusion consisting of a ring of DNA that is not in a chromosome but is capable of autonomous replication

140
Q

pollen

A

the fine spores that contain male gametes and that are borne by an anther in a flowering plant

141
Q

pollination

A

transfer of the fine spores that contain male gametes

142
Q

polyp

A

a small vascular growth on the surface of a mucous membrane

143
Q

populations

A

the people who inhabit a territory or state

144
Q

pseudopod

A

temporary growth of a cell used for locomotion or feeding

145
Q

radial symmetry

A

the property of symmetry about an axis

146
Q

recessive allele

A

an allele that produces its characteristics phenotype only when its paired allele is identical

147
Q

regeneration

A

the act of forming again; renewing and reconstitution

148
Q

reproduction

A

the act of making copies

149
Q

respiration

A

a single complete act of breathing in and out

150
Q

saprophyte

A

an organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium

151
Q

secretion

A

the organic process of releasing some substance

152
Q

seed

A

small, hard part of a plant from which a new plant can grow

153
Q

semipermeable membrane

A

a membrane (as a cell membrane) that allows some molecules to pass through but not others

154
Q

sexual reproduction

A

reproduction involving the unison or fusion of a male and female gamete

155
Q

shell

A

the material that forms the hard outer covering of many animals

156
Q

simple eye

A

an eye having a single lens

157
Q

species

A

taxonomic group whose members can be inbreed

158
Q

spore

A

a small usually single-celled asexual reproductive body produced by many nonflowering plants and fungi and some bacteria and protozoans and that are capable of developing into a new individual without sexual fusion

159
Q

sporophore

A

a spore-bearing branch or organ; the part of the thallus of a sporophyte that develops spores; in ferns and mosses and liverworts is practically equivalent to the sporophyte

160
Q

stolon

A

a horizontal branch from the base of plat that produces new plants from buds at its tips

161
Q

symbiosis

A

the relation between twn interdependent species of organisms

162
Q

taxonomy

A

a classification of organisms based of similarities

163
Q

thallus

A

a plant body without true stems or roots or leaves or vascular system; characteristic of the thallophytes

164
Q

theory

A

a belief that can guide behaviour

165
Q

thorax

A

the body of an arthropod between the head and the abdomen

166
Q

transduction

A

the process whereby a transducer accepts energy in one form and gives back related to energy in a different form

167
Q

transformation

A

the act of changing in form or shape or appearance

168
Q

translocation

A

the transport of dissolved material within a plant

169
Q

transpiration

A

the emission of water vapour from the leaves of plants

170
Q

univalve

A

used of mollusks, especially gastropods, as snails etc

171
Q

vaccine

A

injection of weakened or dead microbes to create antibodies

172
Q

vacuole

A

a tiny cavity filled with fluid in the cytoplasm of a cell

173
Q

ventricle

A

a chamber of the heart that receives blood from an atrium

174
Q

virus

A

infectious agent that replicates itself within living hosts

175
Q

watershed

A

a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems

176
Q

xylem

A

plant tissue that conducts water and dissolved nutrients

177
Q

zooplankton

A

animal constituent of plankton

178
Q

zyospore

A

a plant spore formed by two similar sexual cells

179
Q

zygote

A

the cell from the union of a haploid spermatozoon and ovum

Biology (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions