BIO 101 – General Biology I: Essential Vocabulary

127 vocabulary flashcards summarizing key biological terms from Modules 1–8 of General Biology I, covering botany, zoology, cell biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.

Biology

The scientific study of life and living organisms.

Botany

Branch of biology that studies plants and their significance.

Zoology

Branch of biology concerned with the scientific study of animals.

Pure Botany

Study of plants as natural organisms without direct emphasis on human use.

Applied Botany

Application of botanical knowledge to benefit humankind (e.g., agriculture, medicine).

Morphology

Study of external form, shape, and structure of organisms.

Anatomy

Study of internal structure and organization of organisms.

Physiology

Branch dealing with functions and metabolic activities of living organisms.

Ecology

Study of relationships between organisms and their environments.

Pathology

Study of diseases, including their causes, processes, and effects.

Cytology

Study of cells, their structure, and function.

Taxonomy

Science of classification, identification, and naming of organisms.

Genetics

Study of heredity and variation in living organisms.

Palaeobotany

Study of fossil plants and ancient vegetation.

Entomology

Scientific study of insects.

Herpetology

Study of amphibians and reptiles.

Ichthyology

Branch of zoology that studies fishes.

Ornithology

Scientific study of birds.

Parasitology

Study of parasites and their interactions with hosts.

Autotroph

Organism able to synthesize its own food, usually via photosynthesis.

Heterotroph

Organism that obtains organic nutrients by consuming other organisms.

Respiration

Process of releasing energy from food molecules, often using oxygen.

Excretion

Removal of metabolic waste products from an organism.

Growth

Permanent, irreversible increase in size and complexity of an organism.

Movement

Change in position or location exhibited by living organisms.

Reproduction

Biological process by which organisms produce offspring.

Sexual Reproduction

Offspring formation through fusion of male and female gametes.

Asexual Reproduction

Offspring production without gamete fusion; offspring genetically identical to parent.

Irritability

Ability of an organism to respond to external stimuli.

Adaptation

Heritable trait that improves survival and reproduction in a particular environment.

Competition

Interaction where organisms vie for the same limited resource.

Classification

Arrangement of organisms into groups based on shared traits.

Systematics

Branch of taxonomy concerned with evolutionary relationships and classification.

Nomenclature

Formal system for naming organisms scientifically.

Binomial System

Two-part Latin naming of species (genus + specific epithet) devised by Linnaeus.

Genus

Taxonomic category containing related species; first part of scientific name.

Species

Basic unit of classification; group of interbreeding organisms producing fertile offspring.

Family

Taxonomic group of related genera sharing common traits.

Taxonomical Hierarchy

Ordered levels of classification: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.

Artificial Classification

Grouping based on a few easily observed traits, mainly for convenience.

Natural Classification

Grouping based on many traits, reflecting evolutionary relationships.

Kingdom Monera

Group of unicellular prokaryotes such as bacteria and cyanobacteria.

Kingdom Protista

Category of mostly unicellular eukaryotes like algae and protozoa.

Kingdom Fungi

Eukaryotic heterotrophs with cell walls of chitin; includes molds, yeasts, mushrooms.

Kingdom Plantae

Multicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes with cellulose cell walls.

Kingdom Animalia

Multicellular, heterotrophic eukaryotes lacking cell walls.

Prokaryotic Cell

Cell lacking a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles (e.g., bacteria).

Eukaryotic Cell

Cell with a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Organelle

Specialized membrane-bounded structure within a eukaryotic cell.

Cell Wall

Rigid outer layer in plants, fungi, and some prokaryotes providing support and protection.

Plasma Membrane

Semi-permeable phospholipid bilayer controlling substance movement into and out of the cell.

Cytoplasm

Cell contents outside the nucleus; includes cytosol and organelles.

Nucleus

Membrane-bound organelle containing eukaryotic genetic material (DNA).

Mitochondrion

Organelle where aerobic respiration produces ATP; the cell’s “powerhouse.”

Ribosome

Organelle (RNA + protein) that synthesizes proteins from mRNA templates.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Network of membranous sacs; rough ER bears ribosomes for protein synthesis, smooth ER for lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Golgi Apparatus

Stack of flattened sacs that modify, package, and ship proteins and lipids.

Lysosome

Membrane sac containing hydrolytic enzymes for intracellular digestion and recycling.

Chloroplast

Plant organelle containing chlorophyll; site of photosynthesis.

Vacuole

Membrane-bound sac in plant cells for storage, waste disposal, and turgor maintenance.

Plasmodesmata

Cytoplasmic channels through plant cell walls allowing intercellular transport.

Cytoskeleton

Network of microtubules and microfilaments providing shape and facilitating movement.

Centriole

Cylindrical organelle of microtubules involved in spindle formation during cell division.

Cilia

Short, numerous hair-like projections that move fluid over cell surfaces or propel single cells.

Flagellum

Long, whip-like projection that propels cells through fluid.

Microbodies

Small, enzyme-filled organelles such as peroxisomes and glyoxysomes.

Plastid

Group of plant organelles (chloroplasts, chromoplasts, leucoplasts) involved in photosynthesis or storage.

Tissue

Group of similar cells performing a specific function.

Organ

Structure composed of multiple tissues working together for a common function.

System

Group of organs coordinating to perform major body functions.

Parenchyma

Simple plant tissue of thin-walled living cells used for storage and photosynthesis.

Collenchyma

Living plant tissue with unevenly thickened walls providing flexible support.

Sclerenchyma

Dead, thick-walled plant tissue (fibres, sclereids) giving rigid support.

Xylem

Complex tissue that transports water and minerals upward in plants.

Phloem

Complex tissue that transports dissolved organic nutrients throughout plants.

Epithelial Tissue

Sheets of closely packed cells covering surfaces and lining cavities in animals.

Connective Tissue

Animal tissue with scattered cells in an extracellular matrix providing support and connection.

Muscle Tissue

Contractile animal tissue responsible for movement; includes skeletal, smooth, cardiac types.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue composed of neurons and supporting cells specialized for rapid signal transmission.

Gene

Unit of heredity; segment of DNA coding for a specific trait.

Allele

Alternative form of a gene found at a specific locus.

Locus

Fixed position of a gene on a chromosome.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles at a gene locus.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles at a gene locus.

Dominant Allele

Allele that masks the expression of another in a heterozygote.

Recessive Allele

Allele expressed only when homozygous or when the dominant allele is absent.

Genotype

Genetic makeup of an organism; combination of alleles.

Phenotype

Observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism.

Hybrid

Offspring resulting from a cross between genetically different parents.

F1 Generation

First filial generation produced by crossing parental stocks.

F2 Generation

Second filial generation obtained by crossing two F1 individuals.

Monohybrid Cross

Genetic cross tracking inheritance of a single trait.

Dihybrid Cross

Genetic cross tracking inheritance of two different traits simultaneously.

Test Cross

Cross of an individual of unknown genotype with a homozygous recessive to determine genotype.

Incomplete Dominance

Inheritance pattern where heterozygote phenotype is intermediate between two homozygotes.

Linkage

Tendency of genes on the same chromosome to be inherited together.

Sex Linkage

Inheritance of genes located on sex chromosomes, often showing gender-biased expression.

Mutation

Sudden heritable change in DNA sequence, chromosome structure, or number.

Variation

Differences among individuals of a species caused by genetic or environmental factors.

Habitat

Natural environment in which an organism lives.