Similarities And Differences Among Livjng Organisms Flashcards
cell
the basic unit of structure and function that makes up all organisms
metabolism
all the chemical reactions that occur within the cells of an organism
homeostasis
the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment even when the external environment changes
reproduction
the process by which organisms produce new organisms of the same type
cell respiration
the process in which nutrients are broken apart, releasing the chemical energy stored inside them
synthesis
a life process that involves combining simple substances into more complex substances
organic
term used to describe molecules that contain both hydrogen and carbon
inorganic
a type of molecule that doesn’t contain both hydrogen and carbon but can contain any other combination of elements
organelle
a structure within the cell that carries out a specific function
tissues
a group of specialized cells that perform a specific function
organ
a body structure made of different kinds of tissues combined to perform a specific function
organ system
several organs that work together to perform a major function in the body
cytoplasm
the jellylike substance that is between the cell membrane and the nucleus and that contains specialized structures
nucleus
a large structure within a cell that controls the cell’s metabolism and stores genetic information, including chromosomes and DNA
vacuoles
storage sacs within the cytoplasm of a cell that may contain either wastes or useful materials, like water or food
ribosomes
tiny structures in the cell that are the sites of protein production
mitochondria
pod-shaped organelles that contain enzymes used to extract energy from nutrients
enzymes
proteins that speed up the rate of chemical reactions in living things
chloroplasts
green organelles that contain chlorophyll; where photosynthesis takes place
cell membrane
the thin boundary between the cell and it’s environment
diffusion
the movement of molecules from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration
active transport
the process by which cells use energy to transport molecules through the cell membrane from areas of low concentration to areas of high concentration
digestion
the process that breaks down large food molecules into simpler molecules that the organism can use
amino acids
any one of several building blocks of protein
simple sugars
the result of digested starches
receptor molecules
certain protein molecules in the cell membrane that can receive chemical messages from other cells
hormones
a chemical produced in the endocrine glands
respiration
the process by which the chemical bond energy stored in nutrients is released for use in cells
circulation
the flow of materials within a cell as well as between parts of a multicellular organism
excretion
the removal of all the wastes produced by the cells of the body
immunity
the body’s ability to destroy pathogens before they cause disease
