Biology Key Terms

Question 1

Alleles

Answer 1

Alternate versions of a gene

Question 2

Amino Acids

Answer 2

Organic compounds that contain at least one amino group and a carboxyl group; building blocks of proteins.

Question 3

Binary Fission

Answer 3

Type of asexual reproduction; parent cell splits into two identical daughter cells.

Question 4

Chromosomes

Answer 4

Compact rod-shaped bodies located within a nucleus of the cell; contain DNA.

Question 5

Codon

Answer 5

Three-base sequence of messenger RNA.

Question 6

Cytokinesis

Answer 6

The cytoplasmic division of a cell at the end of mitosis or meiosis, bringing about the separation into two daughter cells.

Question 7

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Answer 7

A unique molecule specific to a particular organism; it contains the genetic code that is necessary for replication.

Question 8

Electron Transport Chain

Answer 8

Series of steps in cellular respiration that produces water and ATP.

Question 9

Glycolysis

Answer 9

Anaerobic breakdown of glucose; first stage in cell respiration.

Question 10

Golgi Apparatus

Answer 10

Cell organelle that packages, processes, and distributes molecules about or from the cell.

Question 11

Heterozygous

Answer 11

Trait in an organism that contains different alleles.

Question 12

Homozygous

Answer 12

Trait in an organism that contains identical alleles.

Question 13

Interphase

Answer 13

Stage of the cell cycle during which growth and DNA synthesis occur.

Question 14

Krebs Cycle

Answer 14

Series of reactions that occur in the mitochondrion during cellular respiration.

Question 15

Meiosis

Answer 15

The special cell division that takes place in the gonads (the ovaries and testes). In the process of meiosis, the chromosome number is reduced from 46 to 23, so when the egg and the sperm unite in fertilization the zygote will have the correct number of chromosomes.

Question 16

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Answer 16

Type of RNA formed from a template of DNA; carries coded information to form proteins.

Question 17

Metabolic Pathway

Answer 17

Series of linked chemical reactions.

Question 18

Metaphase Plate

Answer 18

Disk formed during metaphase in which the chromosomes align on equatorial plane of the cell.

Question 19

Mitosis

Answer 19

Type of cell division that produces two identical daughter cells; phases include prophase, pro metaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Question 20

Organelles

Answer 20

Any of the many cell “organs” or organized components.

Question 21

Phagocytosis

Answer 21

Process in which cells engulf food particles through the cell membrane.

Question 22

Phospholipids

Answer 22

Phosphate-containing fat molecule; forms the bilayer of a cell membrane.

Question 23

Photosynthesis

Answer 23

Chemical process that converts light energy to synthesize carbohydrates.

Question 24

Punnett Square

Answer 24

Grid used to predict genotype and phenotype of the offspring of sexual reproduction.

Question 25

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

Answer 25

Nucleic acid found in both nucleus and cytoplasm of cell; occurs in three forms: mRNA, ribosomal RNA, and tRNA.

Question 26

Rough ER

Answer 26

Section of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that is covered with ribosomes; responsible for protein synthesis and membrane production.

Question 27

Smooth ER

Answer 27

Section of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that lacks ribosomes; functions in detoxification and metabolism of multiple molecules.

Question 28

Steroids

Answer 28

Lipid that is a component of a cell membrane; many steroids are precursors to significant hormones.

Question 29

Stop Codon

Answer 29

Sequence of bases that terminates translation during protein synthesis.

Question 30

Transcription

Answer 30

Process during protein synthesis in which the DNA molecule is used as a template to form mRNA.

Question 31

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Answer 31

RNA involved in protein synthesis; transfers a specific amino acid to the ribosome and binds it to mRNA.