Download Biology Vocabulary for the AHSGE Fall, 2007

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Biology Vocabulary for the AHSGE Fall, 2007
Abiotic factor- nonliving factor of the environment.
Acid- pH below 7; releases H+ ions in solution.
Acid precipitation- rain or snow more acidic than normal rain water.
Active transport- movement across the cell membrane requiring cellular energy (ATP’s).
Adaptation- anything that aids in survival of an organism.
Allele- gene form for a trait variation.
Amino acid- building block (monomer) of proteins.
Ammonification- the release of ammonium ions (NH4+) into the soil by some bacteria which are
decomposing plant and animal bodies
Angiosperm- a vascular plant that produces seeds in flower parts.
Anther- male structure of flower that produces pollen
Asexual reproduction- does not involve the fusion of two gametes; offspring genetically identical.
Atom- building block of matter composed of subatomic particles such as protons, neutrons, & electrons.
ATP- molecule which stores energy in cells; produced by mitochondria in cellular respiration
Autotroph- produce their own food internally as in plant photosynthesis.
Base- solution with a pH above 7; releases OH- in solution.
Binomial nomenclature- two name naming system; genus and species
Biodegradable- any waste that will break down by natural processes.
Biology- study of living things or once living things.
Biome- areas with similar climate, precipitation and climax community (six major land biomes).
Biosphere- air, land, water of Earth that supports life.
Biotic factor- living factors of the environment.
Camouflage- animal adaptation for blending with environment.
Cancer- uncontrolled cell division and death.
Carbohydrate- energy storing and releasing sugar molecules; sugars and starches.
Carrier- heterozygous individual that has the recessive allele for an undesired trait.
Carrying capacity- the maximum number of individuals an environment can support.
Cell- building block of living things; named by Robert Hooke.
Cell cycle- growth and division sequence of cells (interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase,
cytokinesis)
Cellulose-complex carbohydrate that composes the cell walls of plants; woody substance
Cell wall- firm structure that provides support and protection for organisms such as plants, bacteria, & fungi.
Centriole- produces the microtubules for cell division found in animal cells.
Centromere- structure that holds twin chromosomes together.
Chitin-complex carbohydrate that composes cell walls of fungi and exoskeletons of insects.
Chlorophyll- green pigment used in photosynthesis.
Chloroplasts- where photosynthesis occurs; contains chlorophyll; contain grana and stroma
Chromatin- long tangled strands of DNA in non-dividing cell nucleus.
Chromosomal mutation- occurs in meiosis when a portion is added, deleted, or re-arranged.
Chromosome- compact form of DNA seen in cell division; directs protein production.
Cilia- small, hair-like projections used for locomotion in cells.
Classification- systematic ordering of organisms.
Climax community- stable mature community with little or no population growth.
Codon- three sequential nitrogen bases in a nucleic acid that codes for an amino acid in protein synthesis
Commensalism- relationship where one species benefits and there is no effect on the other.
Community- several interacting populations in the same environment.
Compound- chemically combined substances
Conifers- group of gymnosperms that includes pine and fir trees; most are evergreen.
Conservation- management of areas to prevent destruction.
Control- part of experiment used for comparison where all things are kept constant.
Cotyledon- food storage of a plant embryo within a seed
Covalent bond- bond formed from shared electrons; stronger bonding than ionic.
Crossing over- exchange in areas of chromosomes resulting in new allele combinations; increases genetic
diversity during meiosis.
Cuticle- waxy protective coating on a plant leaf secreted by the epidermis.
Cytokinesis- division of the cytoplasm during cell cycle immediately following telophase.
Cytoplasm- jellylike fluid around cell structures where chemical reactions occur.
Cytoskeleton- support for the cell and its structures; microtubules and microfilaments.
Decomposer- Bacteria and fungi that absorb nutrients from decaying material.
57) Denitrification- the release of nitrogen gas (N2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere from the
conversion of nitrates in soil by some bacteria.
58) Density-dependent factor- will have a greater affect as the population increases; i.e. food, parasites
59) Density-independent factor- will affect the population no matter what the population size, typically natural
disasters such as floods.
60) Dependent variable- result of the change in an experiment; displayed on y-axis in graphs.
61) Dicot- Seed plant with 2 cotyledons; leaves with branching veins, flower parts in multiples of four or five.
62) Diffusion- passive transport movement of particles from an area of high concentration to low concentration.
63) Dihybrid cross- mating of two organisms looking at two traits.
64) Diploid- cell with two copies of each chromosome as in body cells; designated by 2n.
65) Disaccharide- two sugar carbohydrate linked with covalent bond (i.e. sucrose, lactose).
66) DNA- genetic information used to build an organism; identical in every cell of an organism; chemical makeup
of chromatin/chromosomes
67) Dominant- visible trait that will mask or hide the recessive form of the trait.
68) Double helix- two twisted ladder shapes discovered by Watson & Crick to describe DNA structure
69) Dynamic equilibrium- continuous movement of particles with no change in concentration.
70) Ecology- study of organisms and their environment.
71) Ecosystem- populations in a community and their environment.
72) Endocytosis- active transport where large particles enter a cell through bulk transport mechanisms.
73) Endoplasmic reticulum- folded membrane network used for delivery in a cell and lipid synthesis; transport
system in the cell; rough ER has attached ribosomes.
74) Enzyme- Protein that can speed up chemical reactions but will not remain changed itself
75) Eukaryote- cell with internal membrane-bound structures and a true nucleus.
76) Evolution- change that occurs over long periods of time within a species.
77) Exocytosis- active transport where particles exit the cell in bulk transport
78) Extinction- all members of a species are dead.
79) Facilitated diffusion- transport of materials across the cell membrane using carrier proteins & no cellular
energy; a form of passive transport.
80) Flagella- whip like structure that aids in locomotion of cells; common in many unicellular protists.
81) Food chain- a simple straight line indication of the flow of energy between organisms.
82) Food web- complex display of all the possible feeding relationships within an ecosystem.
83) Fossil fuel- coal, oil, or gas formed from decay of organisms over long periods of time.
84) Frameshift mutation- error where a single nitrogen base is deleted causing all amino acids to be changed
after the error.
85) Fungi- Kingdom of organisms that absorb nutrients from decaying wastes; kingdom of mushroom and molds.
86) Gamete- sex cells; produced by meiotic division
87) Gene- small segment of a chromosome; codes for protein production, thus trait expression.
88) Genetics- the study of the passing of traits to offspring.
89) Genotype- the combination of alleles an organism possesses.
90) Germination- process where a seed begins to grow; “to sprout”
91) Golgi apparatus- organelle that stores, sends, and receives lipids and proteins; packaging centers of the cell
92) Greenhouse effect- process where atmospheric gases prevent heat from escaping Earth.
93) Groundwater- reservoir of water found underground
94) Gymnosperm- plant that produces seeds in cones; a non-flowering seed making plant.
95) Habitat- where an organism lives.
96) Haploid- half the number of chromosomes of a body cell; found in mature gametes; designated by n.
97) Heredity- passing of characteristics from parent to offspring.
98) Heterotroph- organism that must get food from other sources.
99) Heterozygous- Having a dominant and a recessive allele for a trait.
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Homeostasis- maintaining internal equilibrium suitable for life.
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Homologous chromosomes- have genes for the same trait in the same order.
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Homozygous- having 2 dominant alleles or two recessive alleles for a trait.
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Hydrogen bond- weak bond between hydrogen and other atoms.
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Hypertonic solution- more dissolved particles outside than inside the cell; more water inside than
outside the cell; causes shrinkage of cells.
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Hypothesis- educated guess at the answer to a problem; basis for development of an experiment
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Hypotonic solution- more dissolved particles inside than outside the cell; more water outside than inside
the cell; causes cells to swell and burst in the absence of a cell wall.
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Independent variable- the one thing being tested in an experiment; displayed on x-axis of graph.
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Ion- an atom with a charge due to loss or gain of electrons.
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Ionic bond- bond formed between two ions, typically weaker bonding than covalent bonding.
Isomer- compounds with the same formula but different structural arrangement of atoms.
Isotonic solution- comparison between solutions where concentrations inside the cell and outside are
equal, thus producing no concentration gradient and no net movement of water
Isotope- atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons.
Karyotype- charted arrangement of chromosomes used to detect chromosome abnormalities.
Limiting factor- anything that limits population growth (i.e. food, space, temperature).
Lipid- fats, oils, and waxes; water insoluble organic compounds
Lysosome- contains digestive enzymes to digest materials; produced by Golgi apparatus.
Meiosis- cell division that produces haploid sex cells; occurs in ovary and testis.
Messenger RNA- carries information to make proteins from DNA to ribosomes.
Metabolism- all the chemical reactions that occur in an organism.
Mimicry- adaptation that allows animals to look like another organism to avoid predators.
Mitochondria- cell organelle that produces energy (ATP) for the cell from cellular respiration.
Mitosis- cell division that produces diploid body cells for growth, repair, and replacement of cells..
Mixture- physical combination of substances that retain most of their individual characteristics.
Molecule- atoms held together by covalent bonds.
Monera- kingdom of bacteria, subdivided into Archaebacteria and Eubacteria kingdoms.
Monocot- Seed plant containing one seed cotyledon; flower parts in multiples of three and parallel
veins in leaves.
Monosaccharides- single simple sugar carbohydrate (i.e. glucose, galactose, fructose).
Mutation- error in the DNA sequence.
Mutualism- Feeding relationship beneficial to both species.
Natural selection- change in a population when organisms with more favorable adaptations survive,
reproduce, and pass on traits to their offspring; theory developed by Charles Darwin.
Niche- an organisms’ role within the ecosystem
Nitrogen base- component of RNA or DNA.
Nitrification- the ability of some bacteria to convert or “fix” free atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into nitrites and
nitrates in the soil
Non-biodegradable- wastes that are not easily broken down by natural processes.
Nonrenewable resource- available in limited amounts cannot be replaced naturally; ex metal.
Nonvascular plant- lacks tissues to transport materials; must live near water, small size.
Nucleic acid- DNA or RNA; stores coded genetic information.
Nucleolus- found in nucleus; produces ribosomal subunits.
Nucleotide- building block of a nucleic acid composed of phosphate group, pentose sugar, and a
nitrogenous base.
Nucleus- Centrally located structure of cell which manages cell functions in eukaryotes
Organ- group of tissues performing a function (i.e. liver, brain)
Organ system- groups of organs working together (i.e. digestive, reproductive)
Organelle- membrane-bound structures inside eukaryotic cells; “little organs”.
Organism- A living thing that must exhibit the characteristics of life.
Osmosis- the passive movement of water from an area of high concentration to low concentration
Ovum- egg; female gamete; oocyte.
Ozone layer- layer of atmosphere that protects earth from sun’s harmful radiation.
Parasitism- Feeding relationship where one species benefits and the other is harmed.
Particulate- solid particles released from burned fossil fuels; found in smog.
Passive transport- movement of materials across the cell membrane using no cellular energy.
Pedigree- graph of family history of genetic trait passing through the generations.
Peptide bond- links amino acids together to produce proteins.
pH- symbol used to describe level of acid or hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.
Phenotype- the way an organism looks resulting from gene alleles within a pair.
Phloem- vascular tissue that transports food from leaves down through a plant.
Photosynthesis- produces sugar and O2 from light energy, water, CO2 and chlorophyll.
Pistil- female reproductive structure of a flower; produces eggs and forms embryo within seed.
Plasma membrane- boundary between the cell contents and cytoplasm; cell membrane.
Plasmolysis- a drop in turgor pressure due to water loss.
Plastid- storage organelle inside a plant cell; may store lipids, starch, or pigments.
Point mutation- error in DNA where only one amino acid is affected.
Polar molecule- molecule with a positive end and a negative end (i.e. water).
Pollen- grain from anther containing the male gamete of the flower; sperm and nutrient in a
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capsule.
Pollution- waste buildup that will not naturally recycle.
Polymer- large chain molecule made of many monomers
Polysaccharide- many sugar carbohydrates, i.e. starch, cellulose
Preservation- keeping something from destruction by establishment of parks, ranges etc.
Primary succession- creation of soil and communities at new sites over time by pioneer species.
Prokaryote- cell that does not have a true nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles.
Protein- large polymer made from amino acids.
Protista- kingdom of protists that live in moist environments and lack complexity in structure.
Recessive- the trait that is hidden by the dominant trait.
Renewable resource- can be replaced or recycled naturally; ex. oxygen.
Replication- process of creating two new identical strands of DNA from an original during S
period of Interphase prior to mitosis and meiosis I.
Respiration- cell process that breaks down food (sugar) into CO2 and water with energy release.
Ribosomal RNA- RNA found in ribosomes.
Ribosome- organelle in cytoplasm that produces proteins.
RNA- a copy of DNA used to create proteins.
Scavenger- animal that feeds off dead organisms and refuse.
Selective permeability- process of a membrane allowing some things in and keep others out.
Sex chromosome- XX in normal females and XY in normal males (23rd pair in humans).
Sister chromatids- identical copies of chromosomes joined by a centromere seen during cell division.
Smog- air pollution composed of a colloid mixture of water vapor and particulates.
Solution- mixture where substances are dissolved evenly in each other; can’t separate by filtration.
Species- group of organisms that interbreed and can produce fertile offspring.
Spindle fibers- microtubules that pull sister chromatids apart in cell division.
Stamen- male reproductive structure of a flower; holds anther.
Starch- polysaccharide that is used as food storage in plants.
Stigma- part of the female reproductive structure in a flower that catches pollen.
Stomata- openings in a leaf that allow gas exchange and evaporation of water in transpiration.
Style- part of the female reproductive structure in a flower that leads pollen to ovary.
Succession- natural population growth or reduction in a community.
Symbiosis- feeding relationship between different species.
Taxonomy- study of naming organisms according to specific traits; classification biology.
Technology- applied science; research for a purpose.
Theory- statement of scientific information explaining why or how something in nature happens.
Threatened species- rapidly decreasing population numbers.
Tissue- group of cells working together to carry out a function.
Trait- inherited characteristic determined by gene(s).
Transcription- nuclear process of making a messenger RNA copy of DNA for protein synthesis
Transfer RNA- takes amino acids to ribosomes for protein synthesis.
Translation- cytoplasmic process where the mRNA code is read to produce a protein
Transpiration- evaporation of water from stomata of a leaf.
Transport protein- found embedded in the cell membrane; move molecules.
Trophic level- links of a food chain; feeding steps showing energy transfer.
Turgor pressure- internal pressure in a cell caused by water content
Vacuole- storage centers of the cell; store water, food, enzymes, etc.
Vascular plant- contain xylem and phloem tissues that transport water and nutrients in a plant
Xylem- vascular tissue that transports water and minerals up from the roots to the leaves.
Zygote- fertilized egg; diploid product of fertilization in sexual reproduction