question

Scientific Method

answer

An organized way to test scientific hypotheses

question

Qualitative

answer

observation using the 5 senses (example red, blue, hot, cold)

question

Quantitative

answer

Observation using measuring tools and is given in a number form (example 5 milliliters of liquid)

question

Dependent variable

answer

Variable that responds(depends) on what is changed by the researcher.

question

Independent variable

answer

Variable that you change in the experiment. The "I changed it" Variable.

question

Control

answer

Setup where the independent variable is not changed.

question

Constant

answer

Things that can change in an experiment but you want to keep the same.

question

Hypothesis

answer

An educated guess.

question

Theory

answer

An accepted explanation of something based on many observations and experiments.

question

Evidence

answer

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

question

Analysis

answer

an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole

question

Inference

answer

the act of passing from one proposition, statement, or judgment considered as true to another whose truth is believed to follow from that of the former

question

Observation

answer

an act of recognizing and noting a fact or occurrence often involving measurement with instruments

question

Conclusion

answer

a reasoned judgment: the necessary consequence of two or more propositions taken as premises

question

Deduction

answer

the deriving of a conclusion by reasoning

question

Kingdom

answer

a major category (as Plantae or Protista) in biological taxonomy that ranks above the phylum and below the domain

question

Phylum

answer

a primary category in biological taxonomy especially of animals that ranks above the class and below the kingdom

question

Class

answer

a major category in biological taxonomy ranking above the order and below the phylum or division

question

Order

answer

taxonomic group containing one or more families

question

Family

answer

a taxonomic group containing one or more genera (sharks belong to the fish family)

question

Genus

answer

taxonomic group containing one or more species

question

Species

answer

taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

question

Organism

answer

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

question

Binomial

answer

a biological species name consisting of two terms

question

Taxonomy

answer

study of the general principles of scientific classification

question

Taxa

answer

animal or plant group having natural relations

question

Dichotomous key

answer

a key for the identification of organisms based on a series of choices between alternative characters

question

Classification

answer

the basic cognitive process of arranging into classes or categories

question

Chordate

answer

any animal of the phylum Chordata having a notochord or spinal column

question

Vertebrate

answer

animals having a bony or cartilaginous skeleton with a segmented spinal column and a large brain enclosed in a skull or cranium

question

Invertebrate

answer

any animal lacking a backbone or notochord; the term is not used as a scientific classification

question

Prokaryote

answer

a unicellular organism having cells lacking membrane-bound nuclei; bacteria are the prime example but also included are blue-green algae and actinomycetes and mycoplasma

question

Eukaryote

answer

an organism with cells characteristic of all life forms except primitive microorganisms such as bacteria; i.e. an organism with `good' or membrane-bound nuclei in its cells

question

Archaebacteria

answer

considered ancient life forms that evolved separately from bacteria and blue-green algae

question

Eubacteria

answer

a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagella

question

Fungi

answer

the taxonomic kingdom of lower plants

question

Animalia

answer

taxonomic kingdom comprising all living or extinct animals

question

Protista

answer

eukaryotic one-celled living organisms distinct from multicellular plants and animals; protozoa, slime molds, and eukaryotic algae

question

Monera

answer

Old classification for all bacteria.

question

Protozoan

answer

Mostly one celled Eukaryotes with no cell wall. Some are Plant like, some are animal like and some are fungus like.

question

Cell

answer

basic unit of life

question

Unicellular

answer

organism made of one cell

question

Multicellular

answer

organism made of many cells

question

Herbivore

answer

Animal that feeds on plants

question

Omnivore

answer

Animal that feeds on both animal and plants

question

Carnivore

answer

any animal that feeds on meat

question

Autotroph

answer

Organisms who is able to make their own food (Same as a producer)

question

Heterotroph

answer

Organisms that must eat food to obtain energy (Same as a consumer)

question

Decomposer

answer

any of various organisms (as many bacteria and fungi) that return constituents of organic substances to ecological cycles by feeding on and breaking down dead protoplasm

question

Flagella

answer

any of various elongated filiform appendages of plants or animals

question

Cilia

answer

: a minute short hairlike process often forming part of a fringe; especially : one on a cell that is capable of lashing movement and serves especially in free unicellular organisms to produce locomotion or in higher forms a current of fluid

question

Homeostasis

answer

metabolic equilibrium actively maintained by several complex biological mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous system to offset disrupting changes

question

Gymnosperm

answer

plants of the class Gymnospermae having seeds not enclosed in an ovary

question

Angiosperm

answer

plants having seeds in a closed ovary

question

vascular

answer

of or relating to or having vessels that conduct and circulate fluids

question

Phototropism

answer

an orienting response to light

question

Photoperiodism

answer

a plant or animal's response or capacity to respond to photoperiod (a recurring cycle of light and dark periods of constant length)

question

Antibiotic

answer

a chemical substance derivable from a mold or bacterium that kills microorganisms and cures infections

question

Pathogen

answer

any disease-producing agent (especially a virus or bacterium or other microorganism)

question

Toxic

answer

of or relating to or caused by a toxin or poison

question

Cell culture

answer

The maintenance or growth of dispersed cells in a medium after removal from the body

question

Wet mount

answer

a glass slide holding a specimen suspended in a drop of liquid (as water) for microscopic examination

question

Chloroplast

answer

plastid containing chlorophyll and other pigments; in plants that carry out photosynthesis

question

Plastid

answer

any of various small particles in the cytoplasm of the cells of plants and some animals containing pigments or starch or oil or protein

question

Centriole

answer

one of two small cylindrical cell organelles composes of 9 triplet microtubules; form the asters during mitosis

question

Mitochondria

answer

any of various round or long cellular organelles of most eukaryotes that are found outside the nucleus, produce energy for the cell through cellular respiration, and are rich in fats, proteins, and enzymes

question

Vacuole

answer

a tiny cavity filled with fluid in the cytoplasm of a cell

question

Endoplasmic reticulum

answer

a network of tubular membranes within the cytoplasm of the cell, occurring either with a smooth surface (smooth endoplasmic reticulum) or studded with ribosomes (rough endoplasmic reticulum), involved in the transport of materials

question

Lysosome

answer

an organelle found in the cytoplasm of most cells (especially in leukocytes and liver and kidney cells)

question

Ribosome

answer

an organelle in the cytoplasm of a living cell; ribosomes attach to mRNA and move down it one codon at a time and stop until tRNA brings the required amino acid; when a ribosome reaches a stop codon it falls apart and releases the completed protein molecule

question

Golgi body

answer

an organelle, consisting of layers of flattened sacs, that takes up and processes secretory and synthetic products from the endoplasmic reticulum and then either releases the finished products into various parts of the cell cytoplasm or secretes them to the outside of the cell.

question

Cell membrane

answer

the semipermeable membrane enclosing the cytoplasm of a cell.

question

Nucleus

answer

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

question

Nucleolus

answer

a small round body of protein in a cell nucleus; nucleoli contain RNA and are involved in protein synthesis

question

Fluid mosaic

answer

a description of the membrane of a cell. The fluid part refers to the phospholipids of a cell membrane, which, like liquid, flow. The mosaic part refers to proteins embedded in the phospholipid bilayer that act as conduits through which molecules enter and exit the cell

question

Diffusion

answer

the process of diffusing; the intermingling of molecules in gases and liquids as a result of random thermal agitation

question

Osmosis

answer

diffusion of molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a place of higher concentration to a place of lower concentration until the concentration on both sides is equal

question

Isotonic

answer

of or involving muscular contraction in which tension is constant while length changes

question

Hypotonic

answer

lacking normal tone or tension

question

Hypertonic

answer

in a state of abnormally high tension

question

Solute

answer

the dissolved substance in a solution; the component of a solution that changes its state

question

Solvent

answer

a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances

question

Solution

answer

a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution

question

Concentration gradient

answer

the gradual difference in concentration of a dissolved substance in a solution between a region of high density and one of lower density

question

Proton gradient

answer

The product of the electron transport chain. A higher concentration of protons outside the inner membrane of the mitochondria than inside the membrane is the driving force behind ATP synthesis.

question

pH

answer

p(otential of) H(ydrogen); the logarithm of the reciprocal of hydrogen-ion concentration in gram atoms per liter; provides a measure on a scale from 0 to 14 of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution (where 7 is neutral)

question

Alkaline

answer

relating to or containing an alkali; having a pH greater than 7

question

Cohesion

answer

the intermolecular force that holds together the molecules in a solid or liquid

question

Adhesion

answer

the property of sticking together (as of glue and wood) or the joining of surfaces of different composition

question

Enzyme

answer

any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions

question

Catalyst

answer

a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected

question

Active site

answer

the part of an enzyme that interacts with the substrate during catalysis

question

Substrate

answer

the substance acted upon by an enzyme or ferment

question

Denature

answer

modify (as a native protein) especially by heat, acid, alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so that all of the original properties are removed or diminished

question

Monomer

answer

a simple compound whose molecules can join together to form polymers

question

Polymer

answer

a naturally occurring or synthetic compound consisting of large molecules made up of a linked series of repeated simple monomers

question

Molecule

answer

the simplest structural unit of an element or compound

question

Compound

answer

a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight

question

Carbohydrate

answer

an essential structural component of living cells and source of energy for animals; includes simple sugars with small molecules as well as macromolecular substances; are classified according to the number of monosaccharide groups they contain

question

Hydrocarbon

answer

an organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen

question

Monosaccharide

answer

a sugar (like sucrose or fructose) that does not hydrolyse to give other sugars; the simplest group of carbohydrates

question

Polysaccharide

answer

any of a class of carbohydrates whose molecules contain chains of monosaccharide molecules

question

Lipid

answer

an oily organic compound insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents; essential structural component of living cells (along with proteins and carbohydrates)

question

Phospholipid

answer

any of various compounds composed of fatty acids and phosphoric acid and a nitrogenous base; an important constituent of membranes

question

Hormone

answer

the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect

question

Steroid

answer

any of several fat-soluble organic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon atoms in four rings; many have important physiological effects

question

Protein

answer

any of a large group of nitrogenous organic compounds that are essential constituents of living cells; consist of polymers of amino acids; essential in the diet of animals for growth and for repair of tissues; can be obtained from meat and eggs

question

Polypeptide

answer

a peptide containing 10 to more than 100 amino acids

question

Triglyceride

answer

glyceride occurring naturally in animal and vegetable tissues; it consists of three individual fatty acids bound together in a single large molecule; an important energy source forming much of the fat stored by the body

question

Amino acid

answer

organic compounds containing an amino group and a carboxylic acid group; proteins are composed of various proportions of about 20 common amino acids

question

Primary

answer

organic compounds containing an amino group and a carboxylic acid group; proteins are composed of various proportions of about 20 common amino acids

question

Secondary

answer

depending on or incidental to what is original or primary

question

Tertiary

answer

coming next after the second and just before the fourth in position

question

Quaternary

answer

coming next after the third and just before the fifth in position or time or degree or magnitude; the quaternary period of geologic time extends from the end of the tertiary period to the present

question

Gene

answer

a segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding DNA as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity; genes were formerly called factor

question

Gene expression

answer

conversion of the information encoded in a gene first into messenger RNA and then to a protein

question

Genetic predisposition

answer

an inherited genetic pattern that makes one susceptible to a certain disease

question

Dominant

answer

of genes; producing the same phenotype whether its allele is identical or dissimilar

question

Recessive

answer

of genes; producing its characteristic phenotype only when its allele is identical

question

Chromosome

answer

a threadlike body in the cell nucleus that carries the genes in a linear order

question

Haploid

answer

an organism or cell having only one complete set of chromosomes

question

Diploid

answer

an organism or cell having two sets of chromosomes or twice the haploid number

question

Allele

answer

one of two alternate forms of a gene that can have the same locus on homologous chromosomes and are responsible for alternative traits

question

Phenotype

answer

what an organism looks like as a consequence of its genotype; two organisms with the same phenotype can have different genotypes

question

Genotype

answer

the particular alleles at specified loci present in an organism

question

Trait

answer

a distinguishing feature of your personal nature

question

Homozygous

answer

having identical alleles at corresponding chromosomal loci

question

Heterozygous

answer

having dissimilar alleles at corresponding chromosomal loci

question

Mutation

answer

(genetics) any event that changes genetic structure; any alteration in the inherited nucleic acid sequence of the genotype of an organism

question

Albino

answer

a person with congenital albinism: white hair and milky skin; eyes are usually pink

question

Inheritance

answer

(genetics) attributes acquired via biological heredity from the parents

question

Test cross

answer

a genetic test for heterozygosity in which an organism of dominant phenotype, but unknown genotype, is crossed to an organism recessive for all markers in question

question

Inversion

answer

(genetics) a kind of mutation in which the order of the genes in a section of a chromosome is reversed

question

Drosophila

answer

small fruit fly used by Thomas Hunt Morgan in studying basic mechanisms of inheritance

question

Pedigree

answer

the descendants of one individual

question

Sex-linked

answer

concerning characteristics that are determined by genes carried on the sex chromosomes (on the X chromosome in particular)

question

Fertility

answer

the state of being fertile; capable of producing offspring

question

Pollinator

answer

an insect that carries pollen from one flower to another

question

Reproduction

answer

the process of generating offspring

question

Fertilization

answer

creation by the physical union of male and female gametes; of sperm and ova in an animal or pollen and ovule in a plant

question

Embryo

answer

an animal organism in the early stages of growth and differentiation that in higher forms merge into fetal stages but in lower forms terminate in commencement of larval life

question

Zygote

answer

the cell resulting from the union of an ovum and a spermatozoon (including the organism that develops from that cell)

question

Asexual

answer

not having or involving sex; an asexual spore; asexual reproduction

question

Gamete

answer

a mature sexual reproductive cell having a single set of unpaired chromosomes

question

Development

answer

the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

question

Chromatin

answer

the readily stainable substance of a cell nucleus consisting of DNA and RNA and various proteins; during mitotic division the chromatin condenses into chromosomes

question

Chromatid

answer

one of two identical strands into which a chromosome splits during mitosis

question

Mitosis

answer

cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes

question

Spindle

answer

(biology) tiny fibers that are seen in cell division; the fibers radiate from two poles and meet at the equator in the middle

question

Interphase

answer

the period of the cell cycle during which the nucleus is not undergoing division, typically occurring between mitotic or meiotic divisions

question

Prophase

answer

the first stage of mitosis/meiosis

question

Metaphase

answer

the second stage of mitosis/meiosis

question

Anaphase

answer

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

question

Telophase

answer

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

question

Cytokinesis

answer

organic process consisting of the division of the cytoplasm of a cell following karyokinesis bringing about the separation into two daughter cells

question

Meiosis

answer

cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms; the nucleus divides into four nuclei each containing half the chromosome number (leading to gametes in animals and spores in plants)

question

Karyotype

answer

the appearance of the chromosomal makeup of a somatic cell in an individual or species (including the number and arrangement and size and structure of the chromosomes)

question

DNA

answer

the appearance of the chromosomal makeup of a somatic cell in an individual or species (including the number and arrangement and size and structure of the chromosomes)

question

RNA

answer

(biochemistry) a long linear polymer of nucleotides found in the nucleus but mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell where it is associated with microsomes; it transmits genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm and controls certain chemical processes

question

Nucleotide

answer

a phosphoric ester of a nucleoside; the basic structural unit of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA)

question

Replication

answer

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

question

Transcription

answer

(genetics) the organic process whereby the DNA sequence in a gene is copied into mRNA; the process whereby a base sequence of messenger RNA is synthesized on a template of complementary DNA

question

Translation

answer

(genetics) the process whereby genetic information coded in messenger RNA directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome in the cytoplasm

question

Bioluminescence

answer

luminescence produced by physiological processes (as in the firefly)

question

Electrophoresis

answer

the motion of charged particles in a colloid under the influence of an electric field; particles with a positive charge go to the cathode and negative to the anode

question

Recombinant

answer

of or resulting from new combinations of genetic material

question

Plasmid

answer

a small cellular inclusion consisting of a ring of DNA that is not in a chromosome but is capable of autonomous replication

question

Photosynthesis

answer

synthesis of compounds with the aid of radiant energy (especially in plants)

question

Chemosynthesis

answer

synthesis of carbohydrate from carbon dioxide and water; limited to certain bacteria and fungi

question

Wavelength

answer

the distance (measured in the direction of propagation) between two points in the same phase in consecutive cycles of a wave

question

Respiration

answer

the metabolic processes whereby certain organisms obtain energy from organic moelcules; processes that take place in the cells and tissues during which energy is released and carbon dioxide is produced and absorbed by the blood to be transported to the lungs

question

Fermentation

answer

a chemical phenomenon in which an organic molecule splits into simpler substances

question

Aerobic

answer

depending on free oxygen or air

question

ATP

answer

a nucleotide derived from adenosine that occurs in muscle tissue; the major source of energy for cellular reactions

question

Excretion

answer

the bodily process of discharging waste matter

question

Metabolism

answer

the organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life

question

Transpiration

answer

the process of giving off or exhaling water vapor through the skin or mucous membranes

question

Nitrogen fixation

answer

the assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by soil bacteria and its release for plant use on the death of the bacteria

question

Nitrification

answer

the oxidation of ammonium compounds in dead organic material into nitrates and nitrites by soil bacteria (making nitrogen available to plants)

question

Carbon fixation

answer

the process by which plants turn inorganic carbon (carbon dioxide) into organic compounds such as carbohydrates

question

Carbon cycle

answer

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

question

Ecosystem

answer

a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment

question

Population

answer

a group of organisms of the same species populating a given area

question

Community

answer

a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other

question

Biosphere

answer

the regions of the surface and atmosphere of the Earth (or other planet) where living organisms exist

question

Habitat

answer

Where an organism lives

question

Niche

answer

Job of an organism in its environment

question

Interaction

answer

the direct effect that one organism on another,

question

Deciduous

answer

Lose leaves at the end of the growing season

question

Migration

answer

the periodic passage of groups of animals (especially birds or fishes) from one region to another for feeding or breeding

question

Extinction

answer

When populations of organisms die out

question

Conservation

answer

the preservation and careful management of the environment and of natural resources

question

Larvae

answer

The newly hatched, wingless, often wormlike form of many insects.

question

Flora

answer

all the plant life in a particular region

question

Fauna

answer

all the animal life in a particular region

question

Succession

answer

(ecology) the gradual and orderly process of change in an ecosystem brought about by the progressive replacement of one community by another

question

Estuary

answer

the wide part of a river where it nears the sea; fresh and salt water mix

question

Aquatic

answer

Based on Water

question

Terrestrial

answer

Land based

question

Ocean trench

answer

the deep depressions in the Earth's crust, and they comprise the deepest part of the ocean

question

Precipitation

answer

the falling to earth of any form of water (rain or snow or hail or sleet or mist)

question

Mutualism

answer

the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other

question

Parasitism

answer

the relation between two different kinds of organisms in which one receives benefits from the other by causing damage to it (usually not fatal damage)

question

Commensalism

answer

the relation between two different kinds of organisms when one receives benefits from the other without damaging it

question

Symbiosis

answer

Long term interactions between two organsims

question

Nocturnal

answer

Active at night

question

Imprinting

answer

a learning process in early life whereby species specific patterns of behavior are established

question

Instinct

answer

inborn pattern of behavior

question

Mimicry

answer

When one organism looks or acts like another to hide from or be protected from predators

question

Camouflage

answer

Adaptation which allows an organism to blend in to the environment.

question

Evolution

answer

The change in populations of organisms over time

question

Natural selection

answer

a natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment

question

Selective pressure

answer

Something that makes it harder for an organism to survive in an environment.

question

Adaptation

answer

Having the best physical or chemical characteristics to survive in an environment (example: long fur to survive the cold)

question

Carrying capacity

answer

the maximum, number of organisms that can be supported for any long time in an environment.

question

Climax community

answer

An community in which populations of plants or animals remain stable and exist in balance with each other and their environment

question

Limiting Factor

answer

an environmental variable that limits or slows the growth or activities of an organism

question

Punctuated equilibrium

answer

Ideas that evolution occurs in fits and starts rather than in a steady process of slow change

question

Adaptive radiation

answer

the development of many different species from one common ancestor

question

Reproductive isolation

answer

Populations of organisms become separated and can no longer interbreed.

question

Gradualism

answer

Idea that species evolve slowly and continuously over long periods of geological time

question

Fossil

answer

the remains (or an impression) of a plant or animal

question

Paleontologist

answer

Someone who studies forms of life existing in prehistoric times

question

Analogous

answer

Unrelated organisms share a structure with Similar function but different design (example: Bird wing and Insect Wing)

question

Homologous

answer

Related organisms share a similar structure with different function (example: Bird Wing and Human arm)

question

Convergent Evolution

answer

When two unrelated organisms develop similar adaptations because they live in similar environments

question

Divergent Evolution

answer

When two organisms develop from a common ancestor as a result of different environments.

question

Hibernate

answer

be in an inactive or dormant state

question

Migrate

answer

move from one country or region to another and settle there

question

Estivate

answer

sleep during summer

Virgnia Biology SOL Review – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards