9th grade Bio terms to know

Cellular respiration

A set of metabolic reactions that convert energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and release waste products.

Abiotic Factors

The non-living components of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, water, temperature, and minerals, that influence the survival and growth of organisms.

Angiosperms

A group of plants that produce flowers and seeds, which develop within a fruit, distinguishing them from other plant groups.

Adaptations

Changes in physical or behavioral traits in organisms that enhance their ability to survive and reproduce in specific environments.

Arthropods

Invertebrate animals characterized by their exoskeleton, segmented bodies, and jointed appendages, including insects, arachnids, and crustaceans.

Appendages

Structures that extend from the body of an organism, typically used for locomotion, feeding, or sensory functions.

Amniotic Eggs

Eggs that are surrounded by a protective amniotic membrane, allowing embryonic development in a terrestrial environment, commonly found in reptiles, birds, and some mammals.

Agnatha

A group of jawless fish, including lampreys and hagfish, characterized by their elongated bodies and lack of paired fins.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem that affect the survival and development of organisms, such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

Bones

Structures that provide support and shape to the body of vertebrates, protect vital organs, and serve as sites for muscle attachment, composed largely of mineralized tissue.

Cambrian explosion

A major event in the history of life on Earth, occurring about 541 million years ago, when most major animal phyla appeared in the fossil record, marking a significant increase in biodiversity.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that are believed to be among the oldest life forms on Earth, playing a crucial role in the production of oxygen and the development of early ecosystems.

Carbon Cycle

The series of processes through which carbon atoms circulate through the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and geology, essential for maintaining the balance of ecosystems and understanding climate change.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can sustainably support without degrading the habitat, influenced by resources such as food, water, and shelter.

Cyads

A group of seed plants with a crown of large, stiff leaves and a long, woody trunk, often referred to as 'living fossils' due to their ancient lineage and low diversity.

Collagen

A structural protein found in skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments, providing strength and elasticity, crucial for maintaining the integrity of various tissues in the body.

Cindarians

A diverse group of aquatic animals, including jellyfish, coral, and sea anemones, characterized by their radial symmetry and the presence of specialized cells called cnidocytes, used for capturing prey.

Chloroplasts

Organelles found in plant cells and some algae, responsible for photosynthesis, converting sunlight into chemical energy stored as glucose, and giving plants their green color due to the pigment chlorophyll.

Chelicerate

A subphylum of arthropods that includes spiders, scorpions, and mites, characterized by the presence of chelicerae, which are claw-like mouthparts used for grasping and tearing food.

Chordate

A phylum of animals that includes all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, characterized by having a notochord at some stage of development, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, and pharyngeal slits.