Basic Biology Terms Flashcards
1
Q
abdomen
A
the region of the body between the thorax and the pelvis
2
Q
abiogenesis
A
a hypothetical organic phenomenon by which living organisms are created from nonliving matter
3
Q
absorption
permeates
A
a process in which one substance permeates another
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
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
6
Q
allele
gene, locus
A
any of the forms of a gene that can occupy the same locus
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
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
9
Q
antibiotic
A
a substance used to kill microorganisms and cure infections
10
Q
antigen
stimulates, immune response
A
any substance that stimulates an immune response in the body
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
12
Q
asexual reproduction
A
reproduction without the fusion of gametes
13
Q
atrium
A
a chamber connected to other chambers or passageways
14
Q
axial skeleton
A
the part of the skeleton the includes the skull and spinal column and sternum and ribs
15
Q
bilateral symmetry
A
the property of being symmetrical about a vertical plane
16
Q
bile
A
a digestive juice secreted by the liver
17
Q
biomass
A
the total amount of living matter in a given unit area
18
Q
biome
A
major ecological community with distinct climate and flora
19
Q
biosynthesis
A
production of a chemical compound by a living organism
20
Q
bivalve
A
marine of freshwater mollusks having a soft body with platelike gills enclosed within two shelled hinged together
21
Q
bone marrow
A
the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones
22
Q
botany
A
the branch of biology that studies plants
23
Q
catabolism
A
breakdown in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones together with the release of energy
24
Q
catalyst
A
substance that indicates or accelerates a chemical reaction
25
cell wall
a rigid layer of polysaccharides enclosing a plant membrane
26
cellulose
a polysaccharide that is the chief constituent of all plant tissue and fibers
27
centromer
a specialised condensed region of each chromosome that appears during mitosis where the chromatids are held together to form an X shape
28
cerebellum
a major division of the vertebrate brain
29
cerebrum
anterior portion of the brain consisting of two hemispheres
30
chemical change
process determined by substances' composition and structure
31
chitin
component of arthropods' exoskeletons and bodies of fungi
32
chlorophyll
any of green pigments found in photosynthetic organisms
33
chloroplast
organelle in which photosynthesis takes place
34
chromatin
the readily stainable substances of a cell nucleus consisting of DNA and RNA and various proteins; during mitotic division it condenses into chromosomes
35
chromosome
a threadlike strand of DNA that carries genes
36
circulatory system
the organs and tissues involved in circulating blood and lymph through the body
37
codon
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
38
cohesion
the state of sticking together
39
commensalism
when one organism benefits from another without damaging it
40
community
a group of people living in a particular local area
41
compound eye
in insects and some crustaceans: composed of many light-sensitive elements each forming a portion of an image
42
concentration
the spatial property of being crowded together
43
conjugation
the state of being joined together
44
cotyedon
embryonic leaf in seed-bearing plants
45
cytology
the branch of biology that studies the structure and function of cells
46
cytolysis
pathological breakdown of cells by the destruction of their outer membrane
47
cytoplasm
the substance inside a cell, not including the nucleus
48
cytoskeleton
a microscopic network of actin filaments and microtubules in the cytoplasm of many living cells that gives the cell shape and coherence
49
deciduous plant
a plant having foliage that is shed annually at the end of the growing season
50
diffusion
the act of dispersing something
51
digestion
the process by which the body breaks down food
52
dihybrid cross
hybridisation using two traits with alleles each
53
dominant allele
an allele that produces the same phenotype whether its paired allele is identical or different
54
ecology
the environment as it relates to living organisms
55
ecoststem
organisms interacting with their physical environment
56
ectoplasm
the outer granule-free layer of cytoplasm
57
ectothermic
of animals except birds and mammals
58
element
a substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances
59
endoplasm
the inner portion of the cytoplasm of a cell
60
endoskeleton
the internal skeleton; bony and cartilaginous structure
61
endospore
a small asexual spore that develops inside the cell of some bacteria and algae
62
endothermic
occurring of formed with absorption of heat
63
epidermis
the outer layer of skin covering the body surface
64
epithelium
membranous tissue covering internal organs and other internal surfaces of the body
65
excretion
the process of discharging waste matter
66
exoskeleton
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
67
eyespot
an eyelike marking
68
fermentation
breaking down an organic substance, such as sugar into alcohol
69
flagellate
whip or scourge; punish as if by whipping
70
foot
the pedal extremity of vertebrates other than human beings
71
fruit
the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
72
gemmule
the physically discrete element the Darwin proposed as responsible for heredity
73
gene
part of DNA controlling physical characteristics and growth
74
genetics
the study of heredity and variation in organism
75
genotype
the genetic makeup of a particular organism
76
gestation
the period during which embryo develops
77
gonad
a gland in which gametes (sex cells) are produced
78
greenhouse effect
warming when solar radiation is trapped by the atmosphere
79
haustorium
a root-like attachment in parasitic plants that penetrates and obtains food from the host
80
hermaphroditic
of animal or plant
81
hibernation
the resting state in which some animals pass the winter
82
holdfast
restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place
83
homeostasis
metabolic equilibrium maintained by biological mechanisms
84
hydrogen bond
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
hydrolysis
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
hydrophobia
lacking affinity for water
87
hypha
any of the threadlike filaments forming the mycelium of fungus
88
hypothesis
a tentative insight that is not yet verified or tested
89
inheritance
hereditary succession to a title or an office or property
90
isotonic solution
a solution having the same osmotic pressure as blood
91
karyotype
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
loam
a rich soil consisting of sand, clay and organic materials
93
lysosome
an organelle found in the cytoplasm of most cells
94
macroevolution
evolution and a large scale extending over geologic era and resulting in the formation of new taxonoimic groups
95
mantle
a sleeveless garment like a cloak but shorter
96
matter
that which has mass and occupies space
97
medulla oblongata
lower or hindmost part of the brain
98
medusa
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
meiosis
cell division that produces reproductive cells
100
membrane
a sheet of tissue that lines or connects organs or cells
101
masenchyme
mesodermal tissue that forms connective tissue and blood and smooth muscles
102
messenger RNA
the template for protein synthesis
103
metabolism
the organic process that are necessary for life
104
microevolution
evolution resulting from small specific genetic changes that can lead to a new subspecies
105
mitosis
the process by which a cell divides into two smaller cells
106
model
a representation of something, often on a smaller scale
107
molt
cast off hair, skin, horn or feather
108
monohybrid cross
hybridisation using a single trait with two alleles
109
mother cell
cell from which another cell of an organism develops
110
mutation
a change or alteration in form or qualities
111
mutualism
the relation between two organisms that benefit each other
112
mycelium
the vegetative part of a fungus consisting of a mass branching threadlike hyphae
113
nervous system
the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells
114
neurotoxin
an toxin that affects neural tissues
115
notochord
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
nucleus
a part of the cell responsible for growth and reproduction
117
osmosis
difusion of molecules through a semipermeable membrane
118
paleontology
the earth science that studies fossil organisms
119
pararsite
an animal or plant that lives in or on a host
120
parasitism
when one organism benefits from another by causing damage
121
passive transport
transport of a substance across a cell membrane by diffusion
122
pathogen
any disease-producing agent
123
pedigree
the ancestry or lineage of an individual
124
pellicle
thin protective membrane in some protozoa
125
peptide bond
the primary linkage of all protein structures
126
phagocytosis
process in which phagocytes engulf and digest microorganisms and cellular debris; an important defence against infection
127
phase
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
128
phenotype
observable characteristics produced by genes and environment
129
pholem
plant tissue that conducts synthesised food substances
130
phospholipid
any various compounds composed of fatty acids and phosphoric acid and a nitrogenous base; an important constituent of membrane
131
photosynthesis
formation of compounds in plants aided by radiant energy
132
phototropism
an organism's orienting response to light
133
physical change
a change from one state (solid, liquid or gas) to another without a change in chemical composition
134
physiology
the science dealing with the function of organisms
135
phytoplankton
photosynthesis or plant constituent of plankton
136
placenta
the vascular structure in the uterus of most mammals providing oxygen and nutrients for and transferring wastes from the developing fetus`
137
plankton
aggregate of small organisms that float or drift in water
138
plasma mambrane
a thin membrane enclosing the cytoplasm of a cell
139
plasmid
a small cellular inclusion consisting of a ring of DNA that is not in a chromosome but is capable of autonomous replication
140
pollen
the fine spores that contain male gametes and that are borne by an anther in a flowering plant
141
pollination
transfer of the fine spores that contain male gametes
142
polyp
a small vascular growth on the surface of a mucous membrane
143
populations
the people who inhabit a territory or state
144
pseudopod
temporary growth of a cell used for locomotion or feeding
145
radial symmetry
the property of symmetry about an axis
146
recessive allele
an allele that produces its characteristics phenotype only when its paired allele is identical
147
regeneration
the act of forming again; renewing and reconstitution
148
reproduction
the act of making copies
149
respiration
a single complete act of breathing in and out
150
saprophyte
an organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium
151
secretion
the organic process of releasing some substance
152
seed
small, hard part of a plant from which a new plant can grow
153
semipermeable membrane
a membrane (as a cell membrane) that allows some molecules to pass through but not others
154
sexual reproduction
reproduction involving the unison or fusion of a male and female gamete
155
shell
the material that forms the hard outer covering of many animals
156
simple eye
an eye having a single lens
157
species
taxonomic group whose members can be inbreed
158
spore
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
sporophore
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
stolon
a horizontal branch from the base of plat that produces new plants from buds at its tips
161
symbiosis
the relation between twn interdependent species of organisms
162
taxonomy
a classification of organisms based of similarities
163
thallus
a plant body without true stems or roots or leaves or vascular system; characteristic of the thallophytes
164
theory
a belief that can guide behaviour
165
thorax
the body of an arthropod between the head and the abdomen
166
transduction
the process whereby a transducer accepts energy in one form and gives back related to energy in a different form
167
transformation
the act of changing in form or shape or appearance
168
translocation
the transport of dissolved material within a plant
169
transpiration
the emission of water vapour from the leaves of plants
170
univalve
used of mollusks, especially gastropods, as snails etc
171
vaccine
injection of weakened or dead microbes to create antibodies
172
vacuole
a tiny cavity filled with fluid in the cytoplasm of a cell
173
ventricle
a chamber of the heart that receives blood from an atrium
174
virus
infectious agent that replicates itself within living hosts
175
watershed
a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems
176
xylem
plant tissue that conducts water and dissolved nutrients
177
zooplankton
animal constituent of plankton
178
zyospore
a plant spore formed by two similar sexual cells
179
zygote
the cell from the union of a haploid spermatozoon and ovum
