Science 8: Digestive System, Genetics, Taxonomy, Plant Transport, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration (Vocabulary Flashcards)

60 vocabulary flashcards covering the Digestive System, Genetics, Taxonomy, Plant Transport, Photosynthesis, and Cellular Respiration from the notes.

Digestive System

The system of organs responsible for getting food into and out of the body and for making use of food to keep the body healthy.

Ingestion

Food is ingested in the mouth and digestion starts.

Absorption

The food nutrients should be absorbed.

Assimilation

The body uses those absorbed nutrients.

Excretion

Removal of undigested materials out of the body.

Peristalsis

A series of wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Mechanical Digestion

The mechanical breakdown of food into smaller particles.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of complex molecules into simple, soluble molecules.

Mouth

The intake of food into the body where digestion starts.

Teeth

Grinding, masticating, cutting, biting, and gnawing actions for breaking down food.

Salivary Glands

Glands that secrete saliva into the mouth.

Saliva

Watery liquid produced by salivary glands; contains mucus and enzymes like amylase.

Amylase

Enzyme in saliva that digests starch.

Epiglottis

A flap of cartilage that covers the windpipe during swallowing.

Pharynx

A common passage for food and air; part of the digestive system.

Esophagus

A narrow, muscular tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach by peristalsis.

Stomach

A J-shaped organ where food is churned with gastric juices.

Hydrochloric Acid

Acid in gastric juice creating acidic environment for digestion.

Pepsin

Enzyme in gastric juice that digests proteins.

Chyme

Semifluid mass of partly digested food expelled by the stomach.

Liver

Largest gland; produces bile; stores glycogen and has five lobes.

Gallbladder

Stores bile; releases bile to aid digestion.

Bile

Alkaline liquid that emulsifies fats for digestion.

Pancreas

Soft triangular gland connected to the duodenum; produces digestive enzymes and insulin.

Pancreatic Juice

Mixture of digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas.

Small Intestine

Digestive organ where most absorption occurs; includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Duodenum

First section of the small intestine where chyme mixes with bile and pancreatic juices.

Jejunum

Midsection of the small intestine; major site of nutrient absorption.

Ileum

Last section of the small intestine; absorbs nutrients.

Villi

Fingerlike projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Microvilli

Even smaller projections on villi that further increase absorption surface.

Lacteal

Lymphatic vessel in each villus that absorbs fats.

Capillaries

Blood vessels in villi that absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.

Large Intestine

Absorbs water and minerals; forms feces; about 1.5 meters long.

Appendix

Small pouch near where the small and large intestines meet.

Rectum

Straight chamber that stores stool before it exits through the anus.

Anus

Last part of the digestive tract; centers of defecation.

Glucose

Simple sugar used by cells for energy; can be stored as glycogen in the liver.

Glycogen

Stored glucose in the liver.

Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins; used for growth, repair, and enzyme/hormone formation.

Adipose Tissue

Tissue that stores fats in the body.

Genetics

Science that deals with the study of heredity and variations.

Heredity

Transmission of traits from parents to offspring across generations.

Variation

Differences among organisms or individuals.

Chromosome

Thread-like structures in the nucleus that carry genetic information as DNA.

Gene

A unit of heredity; a part of DNA that influences an organism’s traits.

Allele

Alternative forms of a gene that occupy the same locus on homologous chromosomes.

Dominant Gene

Trait that is observable when present (DD or Dd).

Recessive Gene

Trait that is hidden when paired with a dominant allele (dd).

Homozygous

Genes that are alike; same allele.

Heterozygous

Genes that are not alike; different alleles.

Phenotype

Physical appearance or observable traits.

Genotype

Expression of traits in genes, represented by alleles.

Law of Dominance

When a pure-breeding plant with contrasting traits is crossed, only one trait appears; the dominant allele is expressed.

Law of Segregation

Gene pairs separate during formation of gametes.

Law of Independent Assortment

Genes for different traits are distributed to gametes independently.

Monohybrid Cross

Genetic cross involving only one trait.

Dihybrid Cross

Genetic cross involving two different traits.

Punnett Square

Diagram used to predict the possible genotype and phenotype combinations of offspring.

Genotypic Ratio

The ratio of different genotypes produced by a genetic cross.

Taxonomy

The branch of biology that deals with identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms.

Identification

Placing a newly discovered organism into a described group.

Nomenclature

Naming of organisms.

Classification

Ordering organisms into groups; can be phenetic or phylogenetic.

Domain

The highest taxonomic rank that groups organisms by fundamental cellular/genetic differences.

Kingdom

A high-level taxonomic category below domain; groups organisms with shared fundamental traits.

Phylum (Division)

A taxonomic category below kingdom that groups organisms by basic body plans.

Class

A taxonomic category below phylum that groups related orders.

Order

A taxonomic category below class that groups related families.

Family

A taxonomic category below order; groups related genera.

Genus

A group of related species; first part of the binomial name.

Species

A group of individuals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Binomial Nomenclature

Two-part naming system: genus name + species name (e.g., Homo sapiens).

Linnaean System

Hierarchical system of classification developed by Carl Linnaeus.

Archaea

Domain of prokaryotes distinct from bacteria; often in extreme environments.

Bacteria

Domain of prokaryotes; true bacteria; unicellular with peptidoglycan walls.

Eukarya

Domain of organisms with nucleated cells (eukaryotes).