BIOLOGY

Science

The study of the natural world through observation and experimentation.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to inquiry involving observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, and conclusion.

Biology

The scientific study of life.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment to test its effects.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured and affected in an experiment.

Control Variables

Variables that are kept constant throughout an experiment to ensure a fair test.

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or condition being tested.

Entomologist

A scientist who studies insects.

Temperature

A measure of how hot or cold something is; an independent variable in experiments.

Chemical Composition of Water

H2O, consisting of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom.

Polarity

A property of water that allows it to have partial positive and negative charges.

Polar Molecules

Molecules that have a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other end.

Covalent Bonds

Strong bonds formed when atoms share electrons.

Organic Macromolecules

Large molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds made up of sugar molecules, serving as energy sources and structural components.

Lipids

Group of organic compounds that are hydrophobic, including fats and oils.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules, such as DNA and RNA, that carry genetic information.

Proteins

Large biomolecules composed of amino acids, crucial for biological function.

Polymers

Large molecules made up of repeating subunits called monomers.

Dehydration Synthesis

A process that joins monomers to form polymers by removing water.

Hydrolysis

A process that breaks down polymers into monomers by adding water.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Active Site

The specific region on an enzyme where the substrate binds.

Cell Theory

A fundamental principle that states that all living things are composed of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Prokaryote

A unicellular organism lacking a nucleus, e.g., bacteria.

Eukaryote

A multicellular organism with a nucleus, e.g., plants and animals.

Organelles

Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions.

Cell Membrane

The thin, flexible barrier surrounding all cells.

Diffusion

The movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane.

Active Transport

The movement of molecules across a cell membrane using energy.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy carrier in cells.

Autotroph

An organism that can produce its own food from inorganic substances.

Heterotroph

An organism that obtains food by consuming other living things.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert sugars into energy.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four gametes.

Diploid

A cell that contains two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Haploid

A cell that contains a single set of unpaired chromosomes.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells with the ability to develop into different cell types.

Karyotype

A complete set of chromosomes in an organism.

Non-disjunction

The failure of homologous chromosomes to separate properly during cell division.