SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY – Biology & Life Sciences Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on biology, taxonomy, plant science, human body systems, ecology, genetics, and biotechnology.

The scientific study of life; from Greek bios (life) and logos (study).

Biology

Aristotle

Considered the Father of Biology.

Hierarchy of Life

Levels of biological organization: atom → molecule → organelle → cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Prokaryotic Cell

Cell without a true nucleus; includes Bacteria and Archaebacteria.

Eukaryotic Cell

Cell containing a true nucleus; found in protists, fungi, plants, and animals.

Cilia

Short hair-like projections on some cells used for movement or filtering.

Flagellum

Long whip-like tail on some cells for locomotion.

Robert Hooke

Discovered and named the cell after observing cork.

Robert Brown

Discovered the cell nucleus.

Virus

Non-living infectious agent with a protein capsid surrounding DNA or RNA.

Taxonomy

The science of classifying and naming organisms.

Eight Taxonomic Levels

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Carolus Linnaeus

Father of Modern Taxonomy; proposed binomial nomenclature.

Binomial Nomenclature

Two-part Latin scientific naming system (Genus species).

Archaebacteria

Prokaryotic kingdom of extremophiles such as methanogens and halophiles.

Eubacteria

True bacteria kingdom; e.g., Streptococcus.

Protista

Kingdom of mostly unicellular eukaryotes like algae and Plasmodium.

Fungi

Kingdom of heterotrophic eukaryotes such as molds, mushrooms, yeasts.

Animalia

Kingdom of multicellular heterotrophs; divided into invertebrates and vertebrates.

Cnidaria

Animal phylum with stinging cells (nematocysts); jellyfish, corals.

Arthropoda

Phylum of jointed-leg invertebrates with segmented bodies; insects, spiders, crustaceans.

Molting (Ecdysis)

Shedding of the old exoskeleton in arthropods for growth.

Nematoda

Phylum of unsegmented roundworms; pinworm, hookworm.

Platyhelminthes

Phylum of flatworms; flukes, tapeworms, planaria.

Annelida

Phylum of segmented worms; earthworms, leeches.

Hermaphroditic

Having both male and female reproductive organs; e.g., earthworms.

Leech Anticoagulation

Leeches secrete substances that prevent blood clotting.

Mollusca

Phylum of soft-bodied animals (often with shells); snails, squids.

Echinodermata

Phylum of spiny-skinned marine animals; sea stars, sea urchins.

Chordata

Phylum containing animals with a backbone; fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals.

Amphibia

Class whose members live "double lives" in water and on land; frogs, salamanders.

Reptilia

Class of scaly, egg-laying vertebrates; snakes, lizards, turtles.

Aves

Class of feathered, winged vertebrates; birds.

Mammalia

Class of vertebrates with hair and mammary glands; humans, dolphins.

Walrus

Marine mammal with long ivory tusks living in Arctic regions.

Botany

The study of plants.

Vascular Plant

Plant with xylem and phloem for transport.

Xylem

Vascular tissue that conducts water and minerals upward.

Phloem

Vascular tissue that distributes sugars and organic products.

Seedless Vascular Plant

Vascular plant that reproduces via spores; ferns.

Angiosperm

Flowering seed plant whose seeds are enclosed in fruit.

Gymnosperm

Cone-bearing plant with "naked" seeds; conifers like pine.

Pollination

Transfer of pollen from anther to stigma.

Cross-Pollination

Pollen transfer between different plants.

Self-Pollination

Pollen transfer within the same flower/plant.

Sepal (Calyx)

Leaf-like part protecting the flower bud.

Petal (Corolla)

Colorful part of flower that attracts pollinators.

Stamen

Male flower part consisting of filament and anther.

Carpel (Pistil)

Female flower part; stigma, style, ovary.

Runner (Stolon)

Horizontal stem enabling asexual reproduction; strawberry.

Tuber

Enlarged underground stem storing food; potato.

Rhizome

Horizontal underground stem; ginger.

Bulb

Shortened underground stem with fleshy leaves; onion, garlic.

Corm

Solid, swollen underground stem; taro (gabi).

Budding

Asexual reproduction where a new organism grows from the parent; hydra, yeast.

Fragmentation

Asexual reproduction where pieces form new individuals; sea star.

Binary Fission

Prokaryotic cell division forming two identical cells; bacteria.

Digestive System

Breaks down food physically and chemically for absorption.

Chyme

Mixture of food and gastric juice in the stomach.

Small Intestine

Primary site of digestion and absorption; contains villi.

Liver

Largest internal organ; produces bile for fat emulsification.

Gall Bladder

Stores and concentrates bile.

Pancreas (Digestive)

Secretes digestive enzymes into small intestine.

Circulatory System

Transports blood throughout the body.

Artery

Blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart.

Vein

Blood vessel returning blood to the heart.

Hemoglobin

Iron-containing protein giving RBCs their red color and carrying oxygen.

Platelet

Cell fragment involved in blood clotting.

Fibrinogen

Plasma protein essential for clot formation.

Vitamin K

Vitamin required for synthesis of clotting factors.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin necessary for red blood cell production.

Respiratory System

Provides oxygen to the body and removes carbon dioxide.

Epiglottis

Flap that prevents food from entering the trachea.

Larynx

Voice box containing vocal cords.

Endocrine System

System of glands that secrete hormones to maintain homeostasis.

Insulin

Pancreatic hormone lowering blood glucose.

Fertilization

Union of sperm and egg cells.

In Vitro Fertilization

Fertilization occurring in a laboratory dish or test tube.

Neuron

Basic functional unit of the nervous system.

Cerebrum

Largest brain region; controls voluntary activities and intelligence.

Cerebellum

Brain part coordinating balance and movement.

Medulla Oblongata

Brain stem region controlling breathing and heart rate.

Skeletal System

Protects organs, supports body, produces blood cells, stores minerals.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle in organs like stomach and intestines.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary muscle found only in the heart.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary muscle attached to bones for movement.

Kidney

Main excretory organ producing urine.

Osmosis

Movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane.

Hypotonic Solution

Environment where water enters the cell causing swelling.

Hypertonic Solution

Environment where water exits the cell causing shrinkage.

Integumentary System

Body covering of skin, hair, and nails; protects against UV rays.

Ecology

Study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Producer (Autotroph)

Organism that makes its own food via photosynthesis; plants.

Consumer (Heterotroph)

Organism that obtains energy by eating other organisms.

Decomposer

Organism that breaks down dead matter; bacteria, fungi.

Parasitism

Symbiotic relationship where one benefits and the other is harmed.

Commensalism

Symbiosis where one benefits and the other is unaffected.

Competition

Interaction where organisms vie for the same resources.

Genetics

Science of heredity and variation in organisms.