BiologyUnit2VocabFlashcards

Question 1

atp

Answer 1

adenosine triphosphate; a compound that has three phosphate groups and is used by cells to store energy and to fuel many metabolic processes

Question 2

adp

Answer 2

adenosine diphosphate; the compound that remains when a phosphate group is removed from ATP, releasing energy

Question 3

oxidation

Answer 3

loss of electrons

Question 4

reduction

Answer 4

gain of electrons

Question 5

digestion

Answer 5

the organic process by which food is converted into substances that can be absorbed by the body

Question 6

extracellular digestion

Answer 6

the breakdown of nutrient molecules outside of cells

Question 7

intracellular digestion

Answer 7

the breakdown of nutrients within a cell

Question 8

saliva

Answer 8

liquid secreted in the mouth; begins mechanical and chemical digestion

Question 9

peristalsis

Answer 9

the rhythmic waves of contraction of the smooth muscle that pushes food through the digestive tract

Question 10

salivary amylase

Answer 10

an enzyme in saliva that begins digestion of starch into disaccharides

Question 11

gastrin

Answer 11

a digestive hormone secreted by the stomach lining; stimulates the secretion of fluid by gastric glands in the stomach

Question 12

pepsin

Answer 12

a protein-splitting enzyme secreted by the gastric glands of the stomach

Question 13

trypsin

Answer 13

an enzyme in the pancreatic juice that breaks down protein molecules

Question 14

bile

Answer 14

a secretion of the liver stored in the gallbladder and released through a duct in the small intestine; breaks large fat droplets into smaller ones that enzymes can act on more efficiently

Question 15

lipase

Answer 15

a fat-digesting enzyme

Question 16

villi

Answer 16

a fingerlike projection of the small intestine that increases surface area for absorption of digested food

Question 17

capillaries

Answer 17

microscopic blood vessels penetrating the tissues and consisting of a single layer of cells that allows exchange between the blood and tissue fluids

Question 18

symbiosis

Answer 18

a close connection between two different living creatures from which both usually get benefits

Question 19

mutualism

Answer 19

the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each benefits from the other

Question 20

carrying capacity

Answer 20

the maximum number of individuals that a given environment can support without detrimental effects

Question 21

limiting factor

Answer 21

an environmental factor that tends to limit population size

Question 22

homeostasis

Answer 22

the ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes

Question 23

nervous system

Answer 23

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

Question 24

integumentary system

Answer 24

the skin and its appendages

Question 25

endocrine system

Answer 25

the system of glands that produce endocrine secretions that help to control bodily metabolic activity

Question 26

organelle

Answer 26

a specialized part of a cell

Question 27

organism

Answer 27

a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently

Question 28

organ

Answer 28

a fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function

Question 29

organ system

Answer 29

a group of organs that work together to preform a common task

Question 30

population

Answer 30

a group of organisms of the same species populating a given area

Question 31

community

Answer 31

a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other

Question 32

ecosystem

Answer 32

a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment

Question 33

biome

Answer 33

a major biotic community characterized by the dominant forms of plant life and the prevailing climate

Question 34

biosphere

Answer 34

the regions of the surface and atmosphere of the Earth (or other planet) where living organisms exist