biology god mode

Cell

Basic unit of life.

Prokaryote

Cell without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryote

Cell with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Nucleus

Organelle that contains DNA and controls cell activities.

Mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell; produces energy (ATP).

Ribosome

Makes proteins.

Chloroplast

Organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.

Cell membrane

Controls what enters and leaves the cell; maintains homeostasis.

Cell wall

Rigid structure outside the cell membrane in plants, fungi, and some bacteria.

Cytoplasm

Jelly-like substance in the cell that holds organelles.

Homeostasis

Maintaining a stable internal environment.

Photosynthesis

Process where plants convert sunlight, water, and CO₂ into glucose and oxygen.

Cellular respiration

Process that breaks down glucose to make ATP.

Osmosis

Diffusion of water across a membrane.

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from high to low concentration.

Active transport

Movement of molecules against the concentration gradient using energy.

Passive transport

Movement of molecules without energy from high to low concentration.

DNA

Genetic material that contains instructions for an organism’s traits.

Gene

Segment of DNA that codes for a protein.

Chromosome

Threadlike structure made of DNA and proteins.

Mitosis

Process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

Process of cell division that creates four genetically different gametes.

Gamete

Sex cell (sperm or egg) with half the number of chromosomes.

Zygote

Fertilized egg.

Genotype

Genetic makeup of an organism (ex: Bb).

Phenotype

Physical traits of an organism (ex: brown eyes).

Dominant allele

An allele that masks the presence of a recessive allele.

Recessive allele

An allele that is masked by a dominant allele.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles (ex: BB or bb).

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles (ex: Bb).

Punnett square

Diagram used to predict the genetic outcome of a cross.

Natural selection

Process where organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce.

Evolution

Change in a species over time.

Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce.

Mutation

A change in DNA.

Protein synthesis

Process of making proteins from DNA instructions.

Transcription

First step of protein synthesis where DNA is copied into mRNA.

Translation

Second step where mRNA is decoded to build a protein.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; carries genetic code from DNA to ribosome.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; brings amino acids to the ribosome.

Enzyme

Protein that speeds up chemical reactions.

Species

Group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Ecology

Study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Ecosystem

Community of organisms and their nonliving environment.

Food chain

Sequence showing energy transfer between organisms.

Producer

Organism that makes its own food (usually plants).

Consumer

Organism that eats other organisms.

Decomposer

Organism that breaks down dead organisms.

Biodiversity

Variety of life in an area.

Carrying capacity

Maximum number of individuals an environment can support.

Limiting factor

Something that restricts the growth of a population.

Biotic factor

Living part of the environment.

Abiotic factor

Nonliving part of the environment.