question

activation energy

answer

energy needed to start a chemical reaction; lowered by enzymes

question

active transport

answer

movement of molecules across a membrane requiring energy to be expended by the cell

question

adaptation

answer

inherited characteristic that increases an organism's chance of survival

question

allele

answer

the different forms of a gene; could be dominant or recessive

question

amino acid

answer

basic building blocks of proteins

question

analogous structures

answer

structures that do not have a common evolutionary origin but are similar in form or function

question

anaphase

answer

the third phase of mitosis, during which the chromosome pairs separate and move toward opposite poles

question

antibiotic

answer

compound that blocks the growth and reproduction of bacteria

question

antibody

answer

a substance produced by the body that destroys or inactivates a pathogen that has entered the body

question

antigen

answer

substance (usually foreign) that stimulates the production of an antibody

question

archaea

answer

domain of unicellular prokaryotes that have cell walls that do not contain peptidoglycan

question

ATP

answer

a nucleotide that stores and transfers energy within cells

question

autotroph

answer

organism that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce its own food; also called a producer

question

bacteria

answer

domain of unicellular prokaryotes that have cell walls containing peptidoglycans

question

bacteriophage

answer

virus that infects bacteria

question

base deletion

answer

mutation which results in the loss of nucleotide pairs in a gene; have a major effect on the resulting protein

question

base insertion

answer

mutation which results in the addition of nucleotide pairs in a gene; have a major effect on the resulting protein

question

base-pair substitution

answer

a type of point mutation where one nucleotide and its partner are replaced by another pair of nucleotides

question

behavioral adaptation

answer

an inherited behavior that helps an organism survive; like escaping from predators or find a mate

question

binary fission

answer

asexual reproduction in prokaryotes by which one cell divides into two identical cells

question

fetus

answer

an unborn or unhatched vertebrate in the later stages of development showing the main recognizable features of the mature animal

question

fever

answer

a rise in the temperature of the body

question

fitness

answer

the ability of an individual to survive and reproduce in its specific environment

question

food chain

answer

a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

question

food web

answer

a diagram that shows the feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem

question

fossil

answer

the remains (or an impression) of a plant or animal that existed in a past geological age and that has been excavated from the soil

question

gamete

answer

egg or sperm sex cell that contains a single set of chromosomes (haploid), one from each homologous pair

question

gene

answer

sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and thus determines a trait

question

binomial nomenclature

answer

Classification system in which each species is assigned a two-part scientific name including the genus and species

question

biodiversity

answer

the variety of different species in a given area

question

biogeochemical cycle

answer

process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another; like the carbon and nitrogen cycle

question

biomass

answer

the total amount of living matter within a given trophic level

question

capsid

answer

the outer covering of protein surrounding the nucleic acid of a virus

question

carbohydrate

answer

organic compound used by cells to store and release energy; composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

question

carbon cycle

answer

the organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back again

question

carnivore

answer

a consumer that only eats other consumers

question

catalyst

answer

substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction; like an enzyme

question

cell

answer

basic unit of life

question

cell cycle

answer

the cycle of growth and reproduction of a cell, consisting of interphase (g1, s, g2) and mitosis (division of the nucleus-prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase) and cytokinesis (division of cytoplasm)

question

cell division

answer

the process by which a cell divides into two new daughter cells

question

cell membrane

answer

The lipid bilayer that forms the outer boundary of the cell

question

cell wall

answer

a rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane and provides support to the cell; made of carbohydrates

question

cellular respiration

answer

process that releases energy by breaking down glucose and other food molecules in the presence of oxygen

question

centriole

answer

organize the spindle fibers to separate chromosomes during animal cell mitosis

question

centromere

answer

area where the chromatids of a chromosome are attached

question

chlorophyll

answer

green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy used to carry out photosynthesis

question

chloroplast

answer

organelle found in cells of plants and some other organisms that captures the energy from sunlight and converts it into chemical energy

question

chromatid

answer

one of two identical "sister" parts of a duplicated chromosome

question

gradualism

answer

a model of evolution in which gradual change over a long period of time leads to biological diversity

question

guard cell

answer

Pairs of cells that surround stomata and control their opening and closing.

question

habitat

answer

the place where an organism lives

question

haploid number

answer

half the normal number of chromosomes; found in sex cells

question

herbivore

answer

consumer that eats only producers; also called a primary consumer

question

heterozygous

answer

having two different alleles for a trait

question

homeostasis

answer

process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment

question

chromosome

answer

condensed threads of genetic material formed from chromatin as a cell prepares to divide

question

climax community

answer

a relatively stable long-lasting community reached in a successional series

question

codon

answer

in RNA, a three-base "word" that codes for one amino acid

question

commensalism

answer

symbiotic relationship in which one member of the association benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed

question

competition

answer

the struggle between organisms to survive in a habitat with limited resources

question

concentration gradient

answer

difference in concentration of a substance on two sides of a membrane

question

conclusion

answer

a summary of what you have learned from an experiment

question

consumer

answer

an organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms

question

crossing over

answer

exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis

question

cytokinesis

answer

division of the cytoplasm

question

cytoplasm

answer

a jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended

question

data

answer

information gathered from observations

question

decomposer

answer

organism that breaks down and obtains energy from dead organic matter

question

deforestation

answer

the removal of trees

question

differentiation

answer

process in which cells become specialized in structure and function

question

diffusion

answer

the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration; passive

question

dihybrid cross

answer

genetic cross using two traits with two alleles each

question

diploid number

answer

cell condition in which two of each type of chromosome are present

question

disturbance

answer

A discrete event that disrupts an ecosystem or community. Examples of natural disturbances include fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, and floods. Examples of human-caused disturbances include deforestation, overgrazing, and plowing.

question

DNA

answer

deoxyribonucleic acid, the material that contains the information that determines inherited characteristics

question

kingdom

answer

large taxonomic group, consisting of closely related phyla

question

learned behavior

answer

a behavior an animal learns from its parents

question

lipid

answer

macromolecule made mainly from carbon and hydrogen atoms; includes fats, oils, and waxes

question

lysosome

answer

cell organelle filled with enzymes needed to break down certain materials in the cell

question

macromolecule

answer

any large complex organic molecule

question

meiosis

answer

Cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms

question

mRNA

answer

messenger RNA; type of RNA that carries instructions from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome

question

metaphase

answer

second phase of mitosis, during which the chromosomes line up across the center of the cell

question

domain

answer

Most inclusive taxonomic category; larger than a kingdom

question

dominant

answer

trait that will show up in an organism's phenotype if gene is present

question

double helix

answer

two strands of nucleotides wound about each other; structure of DNA

question

ecological succession

answer

gradual change in living communities that follows a disturbance

question

ecosystem

answer

living and nonliving things in an environment, together with their interactions

question

egg

answer

Female sex cell

question

embryo

answer

organism in its early stage of development

question

embryology

answer

study of multicellular organisms as they develop from fertilized eggs to fully formed organisms

question

endocytosis

answer

process by which a cell takes in a substance by surrounding it with the cell membrane; active transport

question

endoplasmic reticulum

answer

a system of membranes that is found in a cell's cytoplasm and that assists in the production, processing, and transport of proteins and in the production of lipids

question

energy pyramid

answer

a diagram that shows the amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another in a food web

question

enzyme

answer

protein that speeds up a chemical reaction

question

equilibrium

answer

When the concentration of a solute is the same throughout a solution

question

eukaryote

answer

A cell that contains a nucleus and membrane bound organelles

question

eutrophication

answer

rapid growth of algae in bodies of water, due to high levels of nitrogen and often phosphate

question

evolution

answer

the gradual change in a species over time

question

exocytosis

answer

process by which vesicles release their contents outside the cell; active transport

question

experiment

answer

the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation

question

facilitated diffusion

answer

movement of specific molecules across cell membranes through protein channels; passive transport

question

fertilization

answer

the joining of a sperm cell and an egg cell

question

nucleic acid

answer

a long chain of smaller molecules called nucleotides; DNA and RNA

question

nucleotide

answer

monomer of nucleic acids made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base

question

nucleus

answer

a part of the cell containing DNA responsible for growth and reproduction

question

omnivore

answer

organism that obtains energy by eating both plants and animals

question

organ

answer

a collection of tissues that carry out a specialized function of the body

question

organ system

answer

group of organs that work together to perform a specific function

question

organelle

answer

a tiny cell structure that carries out a specific function within the cell

question

organism

answer

a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently

question

gene flow

answer

movement of alleles into or out of a population due to the migration of individuals to or from the population

question

gene pool

answer

all of the alleles in all the individuals that make up a population

question

generation

answer

one step in the line of descent of a family

question

genetic recombination

answer

new combination of genetic information in a gamete as a result of crossing over during prophase I of meiosis

question

genetics

answer

the branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms

question

genome

answer

the complete genetic material contained in an individual

question

genotype

answer

genetic makeup of an organism; like BB, Bb, or bb

question

genus

answer

taxonomic group containing one or more species

question

geology

answer

science dealing with the earth's history as recorded in rocks

question

geotropism

answer

response to the earth's gravity, as the growing of roots downward in the ground

question

glycolysis

answer

first step in releasing the energy of glucose, in which a molecule of glucose is broken into two molecules of pyruvic acid.

question

golgi body

answer

a structure in a cell that receives proteins and other newly formed materials from the endoplasmic reticulum, packages them, and transports them out of the cell

question

pollution

answer

Release of harmful materials into the environment

question

predation

answer

an interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism

question

primary consumer

answer

consumer that feeds directly on producers

question

primary succession

answer

the series of changes that occur in an area where no soil or organisms exist

question

producer

answer

an organism that can make its own food

question

prokaryote

answer

A unicellular organism that LACKS a nucleus and membrane bound organelles

question

recessive

answer

The inherited characteristic often masked by the dominant characteristic and not seen in an organism.

question

replication

answer

(genetics) the process whereby DNA makes a copy of itself before cell division

question

reproductive isolation

answer

separation of species or populations so that they cannot interbreed and produce fertile offspring

question

resistance

answer

the degree of unresponsiveness of a disease-causing microorganism to antibiotics or other drugs (as in penicillin-resistant bacteria)

question

response

answer

a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some stimulus or agent

question

ribosome

answer

An organelle that functions in the synthesis of proteins

question

RNA

answer

ribonucleic acid; a nucleic acid that plays an important role in the production of proteins

question

secondary consumer

answer

consumer that eats primary consumers

question

spindle

answer

tiny fibers that are seen in cell division

question

stimulus

answer

a signal to which an organism responds

question

stomata

answer

Small openings on the underside of a leaf through which oxygen and carbon dioxide can move.

question

homologous chromosomes

answer

Chromosomes that are similar in size, shape, and genetic content

question

homologous structures

answer

Structures in different species that are similar because of common ancestry.

question

homozygous

answer

having two identical alleles for a trait

question

hormone

answer

substance produced in one part of an organism that affects another part of the same organism

question

hydrotropism

answer

a plants growth response to water; plant grows towards the water

question

hypertonic

answer

when comparing two solutions, the solution with the greater concentration of solutes

question

hypotonic

answer

when comparing two solutions, the solution with the lesser concentration of solutes

question

independent assortment

answer

the random distribution of the pairs of genes on different chromosomes to the gametes

question

infectious disease

answer

A disease that is caused by a pathogen and that can be spread from one individual to another.

question

instinct

answer

a behavior that an organism inherits

question

isotonic

answer

when the concentration of two solutions is the same

question

keystone species

answer

a species that influences the survival of many other species in an ecosystem

question

secondary succession

answer

succession following a disturbance that destroys a community without destroying the soil

question

seed

answer

a mature fertilized plant ovule consisting of an embryo and its food source and having a protective coat

question

selectively permeable

answer

a property of cell membranes that allows some substances to pass through, while others cannot

question

somatic cell

answer

Any cell in a multicellular organism except a sperm or egg cell.

question

speciation

answer

the formation of new species as a result of evolution

question

species

answer

taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

question

structural adaptation

answer

a physical feature of an organism's body having a specific function that contributes to the survival of the organism

question

substrate

answer

The reactant on which an enzyme works.

question

symbiosis

answer

relationship in which two species live closely together

question

taxonomy

answer

a classification of organisms into groups based on similarities of structure or origin etc

question

telophase

answer

the final stage of meiosis when the chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle

question

theory

answer

well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations

question

thigmotropism

answer

plant growth in response to touch

question

transpiration

answer

loss of water from a plant through its leaves

question

trophic level

answer

feeding level in an ecosystem

question

tropism

answer

the growth response of a plant toward or away from a stimulus

question

vaccine

answer

substance prepared from killed or weakened pathogens and introduced into a body to produce immunity

question

mitochondria

answer

cellular organelles where cellular respiration occurs

question

mitosis

answer

part of eukaryotic cell division during which the cell nucleus divides

question

monohybrid cross

answer

a cross in which only one characteristic is tracked

question

mutagen

answer

physical or chemical agent that causes mutations

question

mutation

answer

change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information

question

mutualism

answer

symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit from the relationship

question

natural resource

answer

materials found in nature that are used by living things

question

natural selection

answer

process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully; also called survival of the fittest

question

negative feedback

answer

mechanism of homeostasis that tends to stabilize a process by reducing its rate or output

question

niche

answer

the status of an organism within its environment and community (affecting its survival as a species)

question

nitrogen cycle

answer

the transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere to the soil, to living organisms, and back to the atmosphere

question

nuclear membrane

answer

controls what goes in and out of the nucleus

question

tissue

answer

group of similar cells that perform a particular function

question

toxin

answer

a poison that can harm an organism

question

trait

answer

a characteristic that an organism can pass on to its offspring through its genes.

question

transcription

answer

process where the DNA sequence in a gene is copied into mRNA

question

tRNA

answer

transfer RNA; type of RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosome

question

translation

answer

decoding of a mRNA message into a polypeptide chain

question

vacuole

answer

cell organelle that stores materials such as water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates

question

variation

answer

differences between organisms

question

vascular tissue

answer

tissue that conducts water and nutrients through the plant body in plants

question

vestigial structure

answer

parts of an organism that are no longer functioning and do not affect survival

question

virus

answer

package of nucleic acid wrapped in a protein coat that must use a host cell's machinery to reproduce itself

question

xylem

answer

the vascular tissue through which water and nutrients move in plants

question

zygote

answer

fertilized egg

question

osmosis

answer

diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane

question

parasitism

answer

symbiotic relationship in which one organism lives in or on another organism (the host) and consequently harms it

question

passive transport

answer

The movement of materials through a cell membrane without using energy

question

pathogen

answer

disease-causing agent

question

phenotype

answer

physical characteristics of an organism; like green eyes, bushy tail or sleek tail

question

phloem

answer

the vascular tissue through which food moves in plants

question

photosynthesis

answer

process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbohydrates

question

phototropism

answer

Plant growth in response to light

question

phylogenetic tree

answer

diagram showing evolutionary relationships of organisms with a common ancestor; resembles a tree

question

phylogeny

answer

The study of evolutionary relationships among organisms

question

pioneer species

answer

first species to populate an area during primary succession

question

pollination

answer

transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a plant

question

prophase

answer

first and longest phase of mitosis, during which the chromosomes become visible and the centrioles separate and take up positions on the opposite sides of the nucleus

question

protein

answer

macromolecule that contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen; needed by the body for growth and repair and to make up enzymes

question

protein synthesis

answer

the formation of proteins by using information contained in DNA and carried by mRNA

question

protist

answer

single-celled or simple multicellular eukaryotic organisms that generally do not fit in any other kingdom

question

punctuated equilibrium

answer

pattern of evolution in which long stable periods are interrupted by brief periods of more rapid change

question

Punnett square

answer

a chart that shows all the possible combinations of alleles that can result from a genetic cross

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