Science Vocabulary Flashcards
pH Scale
A logarithmic scale used to measure the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in an aqueous solution.
Zygote
Fertilized egg with full set of genetic material resulting from merging of egg and sperm nuclei
Weak Base
A base that only partially forms its conjugate acid in water
Weak Acid
An acid that partially dissociates in aqueous solution
Voluntary
With intentional control
Volumetric Pipette
A device used for precise measurement of small amounts of liquid volume
Volume
The amount of space something takes up
Vitamin D
A vitamin made by the skin that helps the intestine absorb dietary calcium
Viscera
The internal organs in the main cavities of the body
Virus
A noncellular entity that consists of a central core of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid
Ventilation
The movement of air in and out of the body via inhalation and exhalation
Veins
Vessels that carry blood toward the heart from other body parts
Vector
A living organism that transmits an infectious agent from an infected animal to a human or another animal
Vas Deferens
The duct in which sperm moves from a testicle to the urethra
Variables
The condition in an experiment that may be changed or manipulated
Valence Electrons
An electron in an outer orbital that can form bonds with other atoms
Vagina
The canal that connects the external genitals to the cervix in the female
Vaccine
A solution of dead or weakened pathogen introduced to the body for the purpose of stimulating antibody production for the pathogen
Volkmann Canal
Channels in bone that transmit blood vessels and communicate with Haversian canals. Also called perforating canals.
Uterus
The womb
Urine
Liquid waste excreted by the kidneys
Urinary System
The system composed of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra that functions in the excretory process
Urinary Bladder
The structure that stores urine in the body until elimination
Urethra
The duct that delivers urine from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body
Ureter
The duct that delivers urine from the kidney to the bladder
Urea
The main nitrogenous part of urine
Unsaturated Solution
A solution containing less than the maximum possible amount of a solute
Tubular Reabsorption
Movement of useful material from filtrate back into the bloodstream
Triple Point
The temperature and pressure at which solid, liquid and gas phases of a pure substance coexist
Translation
The protein synthesis that takes place after mRNA exits the nucleus and binds to a ribosome
Trachea
The windpipe, which connects the larynx to the lungs
Tissue
A group of cells with similar structure that function together as a unit, but at a lower level than organs
Tidal Volume
The amount of air breathed in a normal inhalation or exhalation
Thyroid Gland
The gland in the neck that secretes hormones that regulate growth, development , and metabolic rate
Thymus
The lymphoid organ that produces T-cells
Testosterone
The hormone that stimulates male secondary sexual characteristics
Testes (Testicles)
The male gonads. The organs that produce sperm
Tendons
Tough connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone
Tendonitis
Inflammation of a tendon
Template Strand
A sequence of bases on a strand of DNA that is used to form a complementary mRNA molecule
Temperature
A measure of the average kinetic energy of a particles of a substance
Telophase II
The state in meiosis II in which nuclear membranes for as the two daughter cells from meiosis I separate into four haploid daughter cells with chromosomes consisting of a single chromatid each
Telophase II
The stage in meiosis I in which nuclear membranes form as the cell separates into two haploid daughter cells with chromosomes consisting of two sister chromatids
Telophase
The state in mitosis in which two nuclei form and the daughter cells separate
Target Site
A particular cell type or organ which a specific hormone can have an effect
T cells
White blood cells that mature in the thymus and participate in an immune response
Systole
The portion of the cardiac cycle in which the heart expels blood
Synthesis Reaction
A chemical reaction in which two different substances combine to form a more complex product
Synapse
The structure that allows neurons to pass signals to other neurons, muscles or glands
Sweat
Perspiration excreted by sweat glands through the skin
Sutures
Joints, such as those between the plates of the skull, that do not allow motion
Surfactant
A fluid secreted by alveoli and found in the lungs
Supersaturated Solution
A solution that has been raised to a higher temperature in order to dissolve more solute than would be possible at room temperature
Sugars
The monomers used to build polysaccharides; also molecules made of two or a few monosaccharide units that are used for fuel in the body
Sublimation
The transition of a substance from solid to gas without passing through the liquid state
Subcutaneous
Under the dermis
Strong Base
A base that loses its protons more readily than other bases and completely dissociates in aqueous solution
Strong Acid
An acid that loses its protons more easily than other acids and completely dissociates in water
Stomach
The organ between the esophagus and small intestine in which the major portion of digestion occurs
Steroid Hormones
Hormones made from cholesterol
Spongy Bone
A type of bone having fewer osteons , and therefore, lighter than compact (dense) bones
Specific Heat Capacty
The amount of energy needed to increase the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 C
Somatic Nervous System
The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls conscious skeletal muscle function
Solvent
The substance in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution
Solution
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances whose components are uniformly distributed on a microscopic scale
Solute
The substance that dissolves in a solvent to form a solution
Solid
A state of matter that retains its shape and density when not contained
Smooth Muscle
Muscle that can be found in the walls of hollow organs, such as the stomach and intestines
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
A cell organelle that synthesizes and concentrate lipids in the cell; does not contain ribosomes
Small Intestine
The part of the GI tract between the stomach and large intestine that include the duodenum, jejunum and ileum where digestion and absorption of food occurs
Skin
The thin layer of tissues that covers the body
Skeletal System
The system of bones in the body that provides protection for delicate organs and serve as the scaffold against which muscles pull for movement, protection, and storage of materials and fat
Skeletal Muscle
Muscle that connects to the skeleton in at least one place and contracts to move parts of the body; the voluntary muscle in the body
Single Replacement Reaction
A chemical reaction between an element and a compound in which the elements takes the place of another element in the compound
Short Bones
Bones that are similar in both height and width, such as those found in the wrist. They have limited articulation with each others as gliding joints
Semilunar Valves
The atrioventricular valves in the heart, comprising the pulmonary valve and the aortic valve
Sebaceous Glands
Accessory structures originating in the dermis that secrete sebum onto hair emerging from the hair follicle
Scrotum
The pouch of skin that contains the testicles
Scientific Experiment
A systematic procedure used to test a hypothesis
Saturated Solution
A solution containing the maximum possible amount of solute
Sarcomere
Contracting unit of a muscle
Salt
A chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base, with at least part of the hydrogen of the acid replaced by a cation
Saliva
The clear liquid found in the mouth, also known as spit
SI Unit
International System of Units based on meters, kilograms, seconds, amperes, Kelvin, candela and mole. Commonly known as the metric system
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
A cell organelle containing ribosomes that synthesizes processes proteins in the cell
Ribosome
A protein-RNA complex that is the site of protein synthesis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A progressive autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain
Resolving Power
The ability of a microscope to show details
Renin
An enzyme released by the kidney when reduced blood pressure us detected by baroreceptors in aorta and carotid arteries
Renal Vein
A vein carrying blood from a kidney to the inferior vena cava
Renal Pelvis
The center of the kidney where urine collects before moving to the ureter
Renal Medulla
The innermost part of the kidney
Renal Cortex
The outer layer of the kidney
Renal Arteries
The two branches of the abdominal aorta that supply the kidneys
Releasing Hormones
Chemical messengers that stimulate the production of certain hormones
Relaxation
Release of tension in a muscle
Refraction
The bending or change in the angle of a light ray as it passes through a medium such as a lens
Reflex
An involuntary action to a stimulus
Reference Planes
Planes dividing the body to describe locations ; sagittal, coronal and transverse
Rectum
The last section of the large intestines, ending with the anus
Recessive
Refers to traits that are masked if dominant alleles are also present; also refers to the allele for that trait
Reactants
In a chemical equation, the substances on the left side of the equation; the starting materials in a chemical reaction
Puberty
A psychological period in which changes in hormone levels cause a general “growth spurt” and development of secondary sex characteristics
Proximal Tubule
The first location where glucose and other useful solutes are reabsorbed back into the blood through the walls of surrounding capillaries. it connects the Bowman’s capsule to the Loop of Henle
Protozoa
Unicellular eukaryotes that are parasitic on plants or animals and lack a cell wall
Proton
A positively charged atomic particle
Proteins
Molecules composed of amino acids joined by peptide bond
Prostate
The gland in males that controls the release of urine and secretes a portion of semen that enhances motility and fertility of sperm
Prophase II
The stage in meiosis II in which chromosomes in the haploid daughter cell condense
Prophase I
The state in meiosis I in which chromosomes condense and from homologous pairs
Prophase
The state in mitosis in which chromosomes condense and from homologous pairs
Prophase
The state in mitosis in which chromosomes condense in preparation for being pulled apart
Products
In a chemical equation, the substances on the right side of the equation; the substance that are formed in a chemical reaction
Positive Feedback
A mechanism that stimulates glandular secretions to continue to increase, temporarily pushing levels further out of homeostasis, until a particular biological effect is reached (eg. expulsion of the fetus during childbirth)
Polysaccharides
Carbohydrate polymers made out of many sugar molecules
Polymer
A substance composed of similar units bonded together
Pleura
A membrane around the lungs and inside the chest cavity
Plasma Membrane
A cell organelle consisting of a phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins that maintains its environment through the property of selective permeability
Plasma Cell
A white blood cell that produces a single type of antibody
Plasma
Clear pale yellow component of blood that carries red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets throughout the body
Placebo
A substance with no medicinal effect that can be used as a control in an experiment
Pituitary Gland
The endocrine gland at the base of the brain that controls growth and development
Pineal Gland
A small gland near the center of the brain that secretes melatonin
Phosphodiester Bond
A covalent bond that links two nucleotides together in a nucleic acid molecule
Phosphate Group
A phosphorous atom bound to four oxygen atoms
Phenotype
Physical appearance of a trait formed by genetics and enviornment
Pharynx
A cavity between the mouth and esophagus that serves as a passageway for food and air
Phagocytosis
Ingestion of particles by a cell or phagocyte
Peristalsis
A series of muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The part of the nervous system that consists of an extensive network of spinal nerves carrying sensory, or afferent, information toward the brain and spinal cord and motor, or efferent, information away from the brain and spinal cord
Periosteum
A thin layer that surrounds bone and is the surface for attachment of tendons and ligaments
Periodic Table
The table of elements expressed as column and rows
Period
One of seven horizontal rows in the periodic table
Perfusion
The passage of fluid to an organ or a tissue
Penis
Organ for elimination of urine and sperm from the male body
Pathogen
An infectious agent
Passive Transport
Movement across a cell membrane that does not require energy input
Passive Immunity
Temporary immunity gained by a body that has acquired antibodies from an outside source
Parathyroid
An endocrine gland in the neck that produces parathyroid hormone
Pandemic
An epidemic that is spread over multiple countries or continents
Pancreas
The gland of digestive and endocrine systems that produces insulin and secretes pancreatic juices
pH
The measure of the acidity or alkalinity
Punnett Square
An illustration of the probability of genetic inheritance based on the genotypes of the gametes
Protista
The taxonomic kingdom that contains the most primitive of the eukaryotes, single-celled organisms that move by locomotor appendages. They usually have no cell wall; instead, they have a cell membrane that surrounds the organelles
Oxytocin
A hormone made by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary. One of its functions is to stimulate urine contractions during childbirth
Oxidation-reduction Reaction
A chemical reaction that involves a transfer of electrons between two chemical species
Ovaries
The female gonads. Organs in which eggs are produced for reproduction
Osteoporosis
A disease that causes brittle, fragile bones
Osteons
Cylindrical structures that comprise contact bones
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Brittle bone disease
Osteocytes
Osteocytes are star-shaped cells that maintain bone and are able to sense physical stress
Osteoclasts
Cells that remove bones
Osteoblasts
Osteocytes are star-shaped cells that maintain bone and are able to sense physical stresses. Their long projections connect to each other through the canaliculi of bones
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative joint disease
Osmosis
The diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane
Organic Molecule
A molecule found in a living thing that contains carbon
Organelle
A specialized part of a cell that has a special function
Organ Systems
Functional group of organs that work together within the body; circulatory, integumentary, skeletal ,reproductive , digestive, urinary, respiratory, endocrine, lymphatic, muscular, nervous
Organ
A self- contained part of an organism that performs a specific function
Orbital
An area around the nucleus where an electron can be found
Ocular Lens
The lens in a compound microscope that is closest to the eye
Objective Lens
The lens in a a compound microscope that works to gather light from the specimen
Nucleus
A large organelle within a cell that houses the chromosomes
Nucleotides
The monomers used to build DNA and RNA
Nucleic Acids
Long molecules made of nucleotides; DNA and RNA
Nonmetal
Any element or substance that is not metal
Noninfectious Diseases
Diseases that are not caused by a pathogen and cannot be transmitted directly from one person to another