Kaplan Glossary (vocab) Flashcards
1
Q
adaptive radiation
A
the production of a number of different species from a single ancestral species
2
Q
ADH
A
a hormone that regulates water reabsorption by the kidney
3
Q
adipose
A
fatty tissue, fat-storing tissue, or fat within cells
4
Q
adrenal cortex
A
outer part of the adrenal gland that secretes many hormones, including cortisone and aldosterone
5
Q
adrenaline (epinephrine)
A
an “emergency” hormone stimulates by anger or fear, increases blood pressure and heart Rae in order to supply the emergency needs of the muscles
6
Q
ACTH
A
secreted by anterior pituitary gland; stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce its characteristic hormones
7
Q
aldosterone
A
hormone active in osmoregulation; a mineral corticoid produced by the adrenal cortex; stimulates reabsorption of Na+ and secretion of K+
8
Q
allantois
A
the extra-embryonic membrane of birds, reptiles, and mammals that serves as an area of gaseous exchange and as a site for the storage of noxious exertion products
9
Q
amnion
A
the extra-embryonic membranes in birds, reptiles, and mammals that surrounds the embryo, forming an amniotic sac
10
Q
androgen
A
a male sex hormone (ie testosterone)
11
Q
angiosperm
A
a flowering plant that produces seeds included in an ovary and is characterized by the presence of fruits and flowers
12
Q
Annelida
A
the phylum to which segmented worms belong
13
Q
anther
A
the part of the male reproductive organ (the stamen) that produces and stores pollen
14
Q
antibody
A
globular proteins produced by B cells that destroy or inactivate antigens
15
Q
acetylcholine
A
a transmitter substance released from the axons of nerve cells at the synapse
16
Q
aortic arch
A
blood vessel located between ascending and descending aortas that delivers blood to most of upper body
17
Q
appendage
A
a structure that extends from the trunk of an organism and is capable of active movements
18
Q
aqueous humor
A
fluid in the eye, found between the cornea and the lens
19
Q
Arachnida
A
a class of arthropods that includes scorpions, spiders, mites, and ticks
20
Q
artery
A
a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
21
Q
Arthropoda
A
the phylum to which jointed legged invertebrates belong, including insects, arachnids, and crustaceans
22
Q
assimilation
A
the conversion of digested foods and other materials into forms usable by the body (i.e. the conversion of amino acids into proteins)
23
Q
atrium
A
the thin-walled superior chamber of the heart
24
Q
autolysis
A
self-digestion occurring in plant and animal tissues, particularly after they have ceased to function properly
25
autonomic nervous system
the part of the nervous system that regulates the involuntary muscles, such as the walls of the alimentary canal; includes the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems
26
autosome
any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome
27
bacillus
bacteria that are rod-shaped
28
bile salts
compounds in bile that aid in emulsification
29
binary fission
asexual reproduction; in this process, the parent organism splits into two equal daughter cells
30
binomial nomenclature
the system of naming an organism by its genus and species names
31
blastula
a stage of embryonic development in which the embryo consists of a hollow ball of cells
32
bud
in plants, an area of undifferentiated tissue covered by embryonic leaves
33
budding
a process of asexual reproduction in which the offspring develop from an outgrowth of the plant or animal
34
buffer
a substance that prevents appreciable changes in pH in solutions to which small quantities of acids or bases are added
35
calorie
a unit of heat; the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade
36
cambium
undifferentiated tissue in the stem of a plant that aids growth in width
37
carapace
a bony or chitinous case or shield covering the back or part of the back of an animal (e.g. the shell of a crab)
38
carotene
an orange plant pigment that is the precursor of vitamin A
39
cation
an ion with a positive charge, or an ion that migrates toward the cathode (negative electrode) in an electric field
40
cell wall plate
in mitosis of higher plants, the structure that forms between the divided nuclei of the two daughter cells and eventually becomes the cell wall
41
central nervous system (CNS)
encompasses the brain and the spinal cord
42
centriole
the small granular body within the centrosome to which the spindle fibers attach
43
centromere
the place of attachment of the mitotic fiber to the chromosome
44
centrosome
a structure in animal cells containing centrioles from which the spindle fibers develop
45
cephalic
pertaining to the head
46
cerebellum
the hindbrain region that controls equilibrium and motor coordination
47
cerebrum
the largest portion of the human brain; it is believed to be the center of intelligence and conscious thought
48
chemosynthesis
the process by which carbohydrates are formed through chemical energy; found in bacteria
49
chemotropism
the orientation of cells or organisms in relation to chemical stimuli; the growth or movement responsible of organisms to chemical stimuli
50
chitin
a white or colorless, amorphous, horny substance that forms part of the outer integument of insects, crustaceans, and some other invertebrates; it occurs in certain fungi
51
chlorophyll
a green pigment that performs essential functions as an electron donor and light entrapper in photosynthesis
52
Chordata
an animal phylum in which all members have a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, and pharyngeal gill slits at some embryonic stage
53
chorion
the outermost, extra-embryonic membrane of reptiles and birds
54
chyme
partially digested food in the stomach
55
circadian rhythms
daily cycles of behavior
56
cleavage
the division of animal cell cytoplasm caused by the pinching in of the cell membrane
57
climax community
the stable, biotic part of the ecosystem in which populations exist in balance with each other and with the environment
58
cloaca
the chamber in the alimentary canal of certain vertebrates located below the large intestine, into which the ureter and reproductive organs empty (as in frogs)
59
cochlea
the sensory organ of the inner ear of mammals; it is coiled and contains the organ of Corti
60
codominant
the state in which two genetic traits are fully expressed and neither dominates
61
Cnidarias
an invertebrate animal phylum in which animals possess a single alimentary opening and tentacles with stinging cells; examples are jellyfish, corals, sea anemones, and hydra
62
coelom
the space between the mesodermal layers that forms the body cavity of some animal phyla
63
coenzyme
an organic cofactor required for enzyme activity
64
conditioning
the association of a physical, visceral response with an environmental stimulus with which is not naturally associated; a learned response
65
cone
a cell in the retina that is sensitive to colors and is responsible for color vision
66
contractile vacuole
a specialized structure that controls osmotic pressure by removing water from the cell; exists in protozoans
67
cornea
the outer, transparent layer of the eye
68
corpus callosum
a tract of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres
69
corpus luteum
a remnant of the follicle after ovulation that secretes the hormone progesterone
70
cortisone
a hormonal secretion of the adrenal cortex
71
cotyledon
a "seed leaf"; responsible for food storage in a plant embryo
72
cretinism
a thyroid deficiency that results in stunted growth and mental disabilities
73
cuticle
a waxy protective layer secreted by the outer surface of plants and insects
74
cytochrome
a hydrogen carrier containing iron that functions in many cellular processes, including respiration
75
deamination
the removal of an amino group from an organism, particularly from an amino acid
76
deme
a small, local population
77
diastole
dilation of the cavities of the heart that allows to fill with blood; followed by systole (contraction)
78
diencephalon
the hind portion of the forebrain of vertebrates
79
differentiation
a progressive change from which a permanently more mature or advanced state results; for example, a relatively unspecialized cell's development into a more specialized one
80
dimorphism
the instance of polymorphism in which there is a difference of form between two members of species, as between males and females
81
disjunction
the separation of homologous paris of chromosomes following meiotic synapse
82
dorsal root
the sensory branch of each spinal nerve
83
embolus
a blood clot that is formed within a blood vessel
84
emulsion
a colloidal system involving the dispersion of a liquid within a liquid
85
endemic
pertaining to a restricted locality; ecologically, occurring only in one particular region
86
endocrine gland
a ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream
87
endocytosis
a process by which the cell membrane is invaginated to form a vesicle that contains extracellular medium
88
endoplasm
the inner portion of the cytoplasm of a cell or the portion that surrounds the nucleus
89
endosperm
the triploid tissue in some seeds that contains stored food and is formed by the union of one sperm nucleus with two nuclei of the female's gametophyte
90
epicotyl
the portion of seed plant embryo above the cotyledon
91
epithelium
the cellular layer that covers external and internal surfaces
92
epiphyte
a plant that lives on another plant commensalistically
93
estrogen
a female sex hormone secreted by the follicle
94
eustachian tube
an air duct from the middle ear to the throat that equalizes external and internal air pressure
95
exocytosis
a process by which a vesicle in the cell fuses with the cell membrane and releases its contents to the outside
96
fallopian tube
the mammalian oviduct that leads from the ovaries to the uterus
97
feedback mechanism
the process by which a certain function is regulated by the amount of the substance it produces
98
femur
the thigh bone of vertebrates
99
fibrin
protein threads that form in the blood during clotting
100
follicle
the sac in the ovary in which the egg develops
101
FSH
a hormone released by the anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the follicles in females and the function of the seminiferous tubules in males
102
food vacuole
a vacuole in the cytoplasm in which digestion takes place (in protozoans)
103
gallbladder
an organ that stores bile
104
gametophyte
the haploid, sexual stage in the life cycle of plants
105
ganglion
a grouping of neuron cell bodies that acts as a coordinating center
106
gastrula
a stage of embryonic development characterized by the differentiation of cells into the ectoderm and endoderm germ layers and by the formation of the archenteron; can be two layer or three layer
107
geotropism
any movement or growth of a living organism in response to the force of gravity
108
germ cell
a reproductive cell
109
germ layer
one of the primary tissues of the embryo
110
glycogen
a starch form in animals; glucose is converted to glycogen in the liver
111
goiter
an enlargement of the thyroid gland due to lack of iodine
112
gonads
the reproductive organ that produces sex cells
113
Graafian follicle
the cavity in the mammalian ovary in which the egg ripens
114
gymnosperm
a plant that belongs to the class of seed plants in which the seeds are not enclosed in an ovary; includes the conifers
115
hepatic portal system
the veins that carry blood from the digestive organs to the liver
116
humerus
a bone of the upper arm
117
hydrostatic skeleton
fluid skeleton of annelids
118
hypocotyl
the portion of the embryonic seed plant below the point of attachment of the cotyledon; forms the root
119
imprinting
the process by which environmental patterns or objects presented to a developing organism during a "critical period" of its growth are accepted as a permanent element of its behavior
120
incomplete dominance
genetic blending; each allele exerts some influence on the phenotype
121
inner ear
a fluid-filled sensory apparatus that aids in balance and hearing
122
insulin
a hormone produced by the pancreas; regulates blood sugar concentration by converting glucose to glycogen
123
integument
refers to protective covering, such as the covering of an ovule that develops into the seed coat, or to an animal's skin
124
interstitial cells
cells that produce sex hormones
125
irritability
the ability to respond to a stimulus
126
lactase
the enzyme that acts upon lactose
127
lacteal
a lymph tubule located in the villus that absorbs fatty acids
128
larva
a period in the development of animals between the embryo and adult stages; starts at hatching and ends at metamorphosis
129
lichen
an association between an algae and a fungus that is symbiotic and mutualistic in nature
130
linkage
occurs when different traits are inherited together more often that they would have been by chance alone; it is assumed that these traits are linked (near each other) on the same chromosome
131
lipase
a fat-digesting enzyme
132
littoral zone
a marine biome; a region on the continental shelf that contains an ocean area with depths of up to 600ft
133
LH
a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the secretion of progesterone by the corpus luteum; also stimulates the secretion of sex hormones by the testes
134
macula
a sensory hair structure in the utriculus and the sacculus of the inner ear; orients the head with respect to gravity
135
malleus (hammer)
the outermost bone of the middle ear
136
Malpighian tubules
tubules that excrete metabolic wastes into the hind gut in arthropods
137
maltase
an enzyme that acts upon maltose and converts it into glucose
138
medulla oblongata
the posterior part of the brain that controls the rate of breathing and other autonomic functions
139
meninges
three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord
140
meristem
an undifferentiated, growing region of a plant that is constantly undergoing cell division and differentiation
141
morula
the solid ball of cells that results from cleavage of an egg; precedes the blastula stage
142
mucosa
a mucus-secreting membrane, such as the inner intestinal lining
143
nerve
a bundle of nerve axons
144
nictitating membrane
a thin, transparent, eyelid-like membrane that opens and closes laterally across the cornea of many vertebrates (the "third eyelid")
145
nucleolus
a dark-staining small body within the nucleus; manufactures RNA
146
oviduct
a tube connecting the ovaries and the uterus
147
oxidation
the removal of hydrogen or electrons from a compound or addition of oxygen
148
pairing (synapsis)
an association of homologous chromosomes during the first meiotic division
149
parasympathetic
pertaining to a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system of vertebrates
150
parenchyma
plant tissue consisting of large, thin walled cells for storage
151
parthenogenesis
a form of asexual reproduction in which the egg develops in the absence of sperm
152
pelagic zone
a marine biome typical of the open seas
153
pepsin
a stomach enzyme that partially digests proteins
154
peripheral nervous system
comprises somatic and autonomic nervous system; consists of cranial nerves and spinal nerves
155
peristalsis
waves of contraction and relaxation passing along a tubular structure, such as the digestive tube
156
pheromone
substance secreted by organisms that influences the behavior of other members of the same species
157
phloem
the vascular tissue of a plant that transports organic materials (photosynthetic products) from the leaves to other parts of the plant
158
photolysis
a process of photosynthesis in which whiter is split into H+ and OH-; the hydrogen ion is then jointed to NADP
159
pinocytosis
the intake of fluid droplets into a cell
160
pistil
the part of the flower that bears the female gametophyte
161
pith
the central tissue of a stem, used for food storage
162
placenta
a structure formed by the wall of the uterus and the chorion of the embryo; serves as the area in which the embryo obtains nutrients from the parent
163
planaria
a class of free-living flatworms
164
plexus
a network, particularly of nerves or blood vessels
165
polymorphism
the individual differences of form among the members of a species
166
Porifera
the phylum of sponges
167
progesterone
hormone whose function is to maintain the endometrium
168
Protista
a kingdom of unicellular living organisms that are neither animals nor plants; includes some groups of algae, slime molds, and protozoa
169
ptyalin
a digestive enzyme of the saliva that turns starch into maltose (salivary amylase)
170
purine
adenine or guanine
171
pyrimidine
cytosine, thymine, or uracil
172
pyloric valve
a muscular valve regulating the flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine
173
rhodopsin
the pigment in rod cells that causes light sensitivity
174
rickettsia
a kind of microorganism that is between a virus and a bacterium; parasitic within the cells of insects and ticks
175
rod
a cell in the retina that is sensitive to weak light
176
saprophyte
an organism that obtains its nutrients from dead organisms
177
secondary tissue
tissue formed by the differentiation of cambium that causes a growth in width of a plant stem
178
semicircular canals
fluid-filled structures in the inner ear that are associated with the sense of balance
179
seminiferous tubules
structures in the testes that produce sperm and semen
180
sensory neuron
a neuron that picks up impulses from receptors and transmits them to the spinal cord
181
sere
a series of ecological communities formed in ecological succession
182
sinus
a space in the body
183
somatic cell
any cell that is not a reproductive cell
184
spiracle
the external opening of the trachea in insects, opening into the respiratory system
185
spore
a reproductive cell that is capable of developing directly into a haploid organism
186
sporophyte
an organism that produces spores; a phase that alternates with the gametophyte phase
187
stamen
the part of the flower that produces pollen
188
steroid
one of the classes of organic compounds; includes cholesterol, sex hormones, ACTH, and vitamin D
189
stigma
the uppermost portion of the pistil upon which pollen grains alight
190
style
a stalklike or elongated body part, usually pointed at one end; part of the pistil of the flower
191
substrate
a substance that is acted upon by an enzyme
192
sucrase
an enzyme that acts upon sucrose
193
sympathetic
pertaining to a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system
194
synapsis
the paring of homologous chromosomes during meiosis
195
systol
the contraction of the atria or ventricles of the heart
196
taiga
a terrestrial habitat zone that is characterized by large tracts of coniferous forests, long and cold winters, and short summers; bounded by tundra in the north an found particularly in Canada, northern Europe, and Siberia
197
tetrad
a pair of chromosome pairs present during the first metaphase of mitosis
198
thrombin
a substance that participates in clotting of blood in vertebrates; formed from prothrombin; it converts fibrinogen into fibrin
199
thrombokinase
the enzyme released from the blood platelets in vertebrates during clotting
200
thymus
a ductless gland in the upper chest region; concerned with immunity and the maturation of lymphocytes
201
thyroxine
a hormone of the thyroid; regulates basal metabolism
202
trilobite
a marine arthropod, now extinct, that lived during the Paleozoic era
203
trypsin
an enzyme from the pancreas that digests proteins in the small intestine
204
tundra
the biome characterized by a short growing season, no trees, and frozen ground
205
turgor pressure
the pressure exerted by the contents of a cell against the cell membrane or cell wall
206
ungulate
a hoofed animal
207
ureter
a duct that carries urine from the kidneys into the bladder
208
uterus
an organ in which the fetus develops
209
vein
a blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart from the capillaries
210
ventral root
a basal branch of each spinal nerve; carries axons of motor neurons
211
ventricle
a more muscular chamber of the heart that pump blood to the lungs an to the rest of the body
212
xylem
vascular tissue of the plant that aids in support and carries water
213
yolk sac
a specialized structure that leads to the digestive tract of a developing organism and provides it with food during the early development
