General Zoology - Complete Study Reviewer Set

A comprehensive vocabulary set covering the basics of General Zoology, including the definition of life, cellular organization, metabolism, biomolecules, and hierarchical organization.

Life

The condition of an organism that allows it to grow, metabolize, respond to its environment, reproduce, maintain homeostasis, and evolve.

Viruses

Entities containing genetic material like $DNA$ or $RNA$ that can evolve but are controversial because they lack cells, independent reproduction, and metabolism.

Seed

A living but dormant organism that can germinate and grow when it receives water and suitable environmental conditions.

Fire

A non-living entity that can spread and grow but lacks cells, $DNA$, and biological reproduction.

Cellular organization

A characteristic of life stating that the cell is the basic structural and functional unit, and every living organism consists of one or more cells.

Unicellular

An organism made of a single cell, such as Bacteria or Amoeba.

Multicellular

An organism made of many cells, such as a Human.

Cell Theory

A set of three statements: 1. All living organisms are made of one or more cells; 2. The cell is the basic unit of life; 3. New cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions occurring inside an organism that provide the energy needed for life.

Anabolism

The metabolic process of building complex molecules from simpler ones, which requires energy (e.g., building muscle proteins).

Catabolism

The metabolic process of breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones, which releases energy (e.g., digesting food).

Growth

An increase in the size or total number of cells in an organism.

Development

The changes in form and function that occur throughout an organism's life, such as an embryo becoming an adult.

Reproduction

The production of new individuals to ensure the continuation of a species.

Asexual reproduction

A form of reproduction involving one parent and no gamete fusion, resulting in offspring genetically identical to the parent.

Binary Fission

A type of asexual reproduction where one organism divides into new individuals, common in Bacteria.

Budding

A process where a new organism develops as a bud from the parent, as seen in Yeast and Hydra.

Fragmentation

A type of reproduction where an organism breaks into pieces, and each piece develops into a new individual, such as a Starfish.

Sexual reproduction

Reproduction involving the union of sperm and egg during fertilization to produce genetically diverse offspring.

Stimulus

Any change in the environment that causes an organism to respond, such as a sunflower turning toward sunlight.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment.

Adaptation

An inherited trait that improves an organism's chances of survival and reproduction, such as a polar bear's thick fur.

Evolution

The process by which living organisms change over many generations.

CHON

The four major elements ($Carbon$, $Hydrogen$, $Oxygen$, and $Nitrogen$) that make up approximately $96.00000000000001$ of living matter.

Carbohydrates

Biomolecules that serve as the main source of energy for organisms, including examples like Glucose and Starch.

Lipids

Biomolecules used for long-term energy storage, cell membranes, hormones, and insulation.

Proteins

Biomolecules made of amino acids that function in body structure, transport, defense, and as enzymes.

Nucleic acids

Biomolecules associated with genetic information, specifically $DNA$ and $RNA$.

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model describing the cell membrane as a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

Tissue

A group of similar cells performing a specific function.

Population

Members of the same species living in a specific area.

Community

Different populations of various species living and interacting in an area.

Ecosystem

A biological community plus its physical environment.

Biosphere

All regions of Earth where life exists, representing the highest level of organization.