Glossary's Flashcards
REMEMBER
Antibiotic
A medicine that weakens or destroys microbes such as bacteria and fungi; antibiotics have no effect on viruses
Bacteria
Microscopic organisms forming one of the six kingdoms of living things; some types of bacteria are pathogens
Cell
the smallest functional unit of life; every cell in the body needs to obtain nutrients and energy, and get rid of wastes, to stay alive
Commensalism
A type of symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism neither benefits nor is harmed
Mutualism
A type of symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit
Parasitism
A type of symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is harmed
Archaea
Microscopic organisms forming one of the six kingdoms of living things
Electron Microscope
A type of microscope that uses beams of electrons instead of light; electron microscopes are much more powerful than traditional light microscopes – for example, giving us detailed images of the inner structure of cells
Fungus
One of the six kingdoms of living things, including mushrooms, moulds and yeasts
Genetic Material:
The material within a cell that determines how it functions
Genetics
The features of an organism that are inherited from its parents
Hormone
A substance produced by the body to control a particular function, such as hunger, sleep or growth
Immune System
The body system that defends the body against infections
Infection
The presence of a pathogen inside the body
Inflammation
The process in which an infected area of the body becomes red, swollen and hot
Metabolism
The chemical reactions that take place in cells to keep them alive
Metabolic Disease
A medical condition that disrupts the conversion of food into energy within cells
Anus
The opening at the end of the digestive tract through which wastes are expelled as faeces
Bowels
Another name for the large intestine
Diet
The types of food that a person or animal usually eats
Digestion
The process of breaking down complex foods into simple nutrients that the body can absorb
Digestive System
The body system that breaks down food and absorbs the nutrients it contains; includes the mouth, stomach, liver, intestines and other organs
Digestive Tract
The series of tubes and cavities that food passes through as it is broken down
DNA
The chemical that makes up the genetic material in most organisms; deoxyribonucleic acid