Vocab Flashcards
Theory
Ideas that have been supported over time
Hypothesis
The proposed scientific explanation for a set of observations
Dependent Variable
Observed factor that may change in response to other variable (outcome)
Independent Variable
The factor that is purposely changed in an experiment.
Control Group
A group of subjects which receive the factor under study
Cell
The smallest unit of an organism that is considered to be alive
Stimulus
Any physical or chemical input that is sensed
Homeostasis
The process by which organisms keep their initial body conditions fairly constant to survive
Evolution
A change in a kind of organism over time
Atom
The basic unit of matter
Proton
The positively charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom
Neutron
The particle with no charge found in the nucleus of an atom
Electron
The negatively charged particle found outside the nucleus of an atom.
Element
A pure substance that consists entirely of one atom
Molecule
A group of atom bonded together form the smallest fundamental unit of a pure substance
Isotopes
Atoms of the same elements with different numbers of neutrons.
Chemical Bonding
An attraction between two or mor atoms resulting in the formation of different chemical substances.
Ion
A positively or negatively charged atom
Ionic bond
Formed when electrons are shared between atoms
Covalent bond
Forms when electrons are shared between atoms
Valence atoms
The electrons in the outer shell or energy level that are available for bonding
pH
The measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution
Acid
A substance that dissolves in water to release a hydrogen ion (H+)
Base
A substance that dissolves in water to release a hydrogen ion (OH-)
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
The nuclear acid that contains that contains all genetic information for a cell
Double Helix
The shape of DNA that resembles a spiral staircase or a twisted ladder.
Nucleic Acid
The building block of living organisms that passes genetic information from one generation to the next.
Nucleotide
A monomer of nucleic acid; consisting of sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogen base.
Carbohydrate
The molecule that is the major source of energy for an organism.
Glucose
The monomer of carbohydrates (sugar)
Protein
The molecule needs by organisms for growth and repair
Amino Acid
The monomer of protein
Enzyme
A protein that speeds up biological reactions
Metabolism
A set of chemical reactions in the cells of living organisms to sustain life.
Lipid
The molecule that stores energy and is thiamin struct of cell membranes.
Solute
The substance that is dissolved in a solution
Solvent
The substance in which the solution dissolves in a solution
Eukaryotic
A cell that contains a nucleus
Prokaryotic
A cell that does not contain a nucleus
Organelle
Sub-cellular structures (cell parts)
Ribosomes
A cell organelle that makes protein
Mitochondria
A cell organelle that converts food into cell energy
Cell Membrane
Cell structure that controls what enters and leaves the cell.
Selectively Permeable
A property of biological membranes that allows some substances to pass across, while others cannot
Cell wall
Cell structure found outside the cell membrane in plants, algae, fungi, and some bacteria that provides support and protection.
Chloroplast
The organelle found in some organisms that carries out photosynthesis.
Cytoplasm
The fluid portion of a cells interior
Nucleus
The organelle that controls the cell by producing proteins and contains all genetic material.
Vacuole
The organelle that is use to store materials
Cellular Transport
The movement of materials into, out of, or within a cell
Passive transport
Type of cell transport that does not require energy
Diffusion
The movement of particle move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration through a selectively permeable membrane.
Osmosis
The diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane.
Active transport
Type of cell transport that from require energy
Cellular respiration
The process that releases energy by breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen.
Photosynthesis
The process by which a cell divides into two identical nuclei.
Mitosis
The process by which the nucleus is divided into two identical nuclei
Genetics
The scientific study of heredity
Genetic variation
The tendency of individual genetic characteristics in a population to differ from one another
Gene
The chemical factor that determines a trait
Mutation
Any change in DNA
Alleles
The alternative forms of a gene.
Homozygous
An organism with two identical alleles for a particular trait
Heterozygous
An organism with two different alleles for a particular trait
Punnett Square
A tool used to predict outcomes in genetics
Genotype
The genetic makeup of an organism based on alleles inherited.
Phenotype
A physical characteristics of an organism
Inheritance
The passing of genetic material from parent to offspring
Trait
Any specific characteristics of an individual
Recombination
The formation of a new and different sets of chromosomes or genes.
Meiosis
The process that makes the sex cells by reducing the chromosome number in half
Fertilization
The joining of male and female reproductive cells to produce a new organism.
Gamete
The term for sex cell, egg, or sperm
Biological evolution
The descent with modification of organisms from common ancestors.
Natural selection
The process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully. (Survival of the fittest)
Adaptations
The inherited traits that increases an organisms chance of survival
Behavioral adaptations
The inherited traits that increased an organisms chance of survival
Physiological adaptations
A type of adaptations that affects the function of an organism. (Blood clotting)
Morphological adaptations
A type of adaptation that affects the structure of an organism (web feet)
Fossil
The preserved remains of ancient organisms
Fossil record
A collection of preserved organisms of their traces stored in Earth
Radioactive dating
The method of calculating the absolute ages of rocks and minerals that contain radioactive isotopes.
Biological diversity
The variety of organisms in the biosphere.
Ecology
The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment
Biosphere
The portion of the planet in which all life exist
Population
A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area
Population
A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area
Community
Two or more different populations that live in a defined area
Ecosystem
A collection of all organisms that live in a particular place, together with their non living environment
Biome
A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant organisms
Autotrophs
An organism that can make its own food internally
Heterotroph
An organism that relies on hot organisms for energy and food supply
Food chain
A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten
Food web
Links all the food chains in an ecosystem together
Biochemical cycle
A cycle by which materials necessary for organisms are circulated between organisms and through the environment
Environmental quality
The state of environmental conditions
Transpiration
The evaporation of water from the leaves of plants
Nitrogen fixation
The conversion of nitrogen gas into ammonia by bacteria living in the soil
Symbiosis
Any relationship in which two species voice together
Mutualism
A symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit
Commensalism
A symbiotic relationship in which one organism lives on or inside another organism and causes it no harm
Parasitism
A symbiotic relationship in which one organism lives on or inside another organism and harms it
