Unit 3: Growth, Development, & Processes Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from Unit 3, including photosynthesis, respiration, cell division, and cell specialization.

Estuary

A body of water where a river or stream meets the sea, characterized by brackish water (a mixture of saltwater and freshwater).

Brackish Water

Water having a salinity between freshwater and saltwater, typically found in estuaries.

Carbon Source

Releases more carbon than it absorbs (e.g., fossil fuels, wildfires, decaying matter, deforestation, volcanic eruptions).

Carbon Sink

Absorbs more carbon than it releases (e.g., forests, oceans, soil, wetlands/grasslands).

Photosynthesis

A cellular process that uses carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to produce oxygen and glucose (sugar).

Respiration

A cellular process that uses oxygen and glucose to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy (ATP).

ATP

Energy carrying molecule that cells use to carry out their metabolic processes.

Metabolic Process

The chemical reactions that occur within living organisms to maintain life; molecules are either broken down or built.

Aerobic Respiration

Cellular respiration in the presence of oxygen.

Anaerobic Respiration

Cellular respiration in the absence of oxygen.

Fermentation

A type of anaerobic respiration that produces a small amount of ATP and byproducts like CO2.

Cell Division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Cell Cycle

The series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication of its DNA (replication) to produce two new daughter cells.

Interphase

The stage of the cell cycle where the cell grows, copies its DNA, and prepares for division.

Mitosis

The stage of the cell cycle where the DNA moves and the nucleus splits into two separate ones.

Cytokinesis

The stage of the cell cycle where the cell fully splits into two new cells.

Somatic Cells

Any biological cells forming the body of a multicellular organism other than gametes, germ cells, gametocytes or undifferentiated stem cells.

Meiosis

Cell division that produces haploid gametes (sex cells).

Cell Specialization

The process by which generic cells change into specific cells meant to do certain tasks within the body.