Biology Key Vocabulary - Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key biology terms from the notes (Pages 1-2).

Adhesion

Attraction between unlike molecules (e.g., water to glass).

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction without fusion of gametes; offspring genetically identical to the parent.

Atom

basic unit of an element; made of protons, neutrons and electrons

Atomic number

Number of protons in an atom's nucleus

Biology

study of life and living organisms.

Capillary Action

ability of a liquid to flow against gravity up a narrow tube

Cell

The basic unit of life

CHONSP

The six essential elements for life: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Sulfur, Phosphorus.

Chemical reaction

breaking and forming chemical bonds to produce new substances.

Cohesion

attraction between molecules of the same substancecausing them to stick together.

Compound

A substance made of two or more elements chemically bonded in a fixed ratio.

Control

In an experiment, the standard for comparison that does not receive the experimental treatment.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed by sharing electrons between atoms.

Data

Facts, figures, and observations

Dependent variable

The variable observed and measured in an experiment; the outcome.

Development

The process of growth, maturation, and change in an organism

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle

Electron shell / valence shell

Regions around the nucleus where electrons reside; the outer shell is the valence shell.

Element

A substance that cannot be broken down by chemical means

Evolution

Change in inherited traits of a population over generations.

Graph (Line, Bar, Pie Chart, Scatterplot)

A visual representation of data using graphs and charts.

Growth

Increase in size, number, or extent of an organism or system.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of stable internal conditions

Hydrophobic

water-fearing; tends to repel water.

Hydrogen bond

A weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and another electronegative atom

Hypothesis

A testable educated guess

Independent variable

The variable deliberately changed to test its effects.

Ion

An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to gain or loss of electrons.

Ionic Bond

A bond formed by electrical attraction between oppositely charged ions, often due to electron transfer.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space; exists as solid, liquid, or gas.

Metabolism

chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life.

Molecule

Two or more atoms chemically bonded together.

Neutron

A neutral subatomic particle located in the nucleus.

Nucleus (of atom)

center of an atom containing protons and neutrons

Polarity

Unequal distribution of electrical charge in a molecule, causing partial positive and negative ends.

Product

Substance formed as the result of a chemical reaction.

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle located in the nucleus.

Qualitative

Data described in words, qualities, or characteristics rather than numbers.

Quantitative

Data described with numerical measurements and quantities.

Reproduction

Biological process by which organisms produce offspring.

Science

Systematic study of the natural world through observation, experimentation, and evidence.

Sexual reproduction

Reproduction involving the fusion of gametes, producing genetically diverse offspring.

Stimulus

Any signal that an organism detects and responds to.

Surface Tension

Tendency of liquid surfaces to shrink to the minimum surface area due to cohesive forces.

Trace element

An element required in very small amounts for normal growth and health.

Universal Solvent

Water dissolves many substances and transports them in organisms.

Reactant

Substance that participates in a chemical reaction and is consumed.

Hydrophilic

water-loving; interacts well with water.