bio stuffs

photosynthesis

plants take in light energy, carbon dioxide and water to make glucose and release oxygen

photosynthesis equation

CO2 + H2O + light energy --\> C6H12O6 + O2

chloroplasts

site of photosynthesis

glucose

another name for sugar C6H12O6

cellular respiration

takes in glucose and oxygen to create energy and release carbon dioxide and water

cell membrane

the selectively membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell

mitochondria

an organelle found in large numbers in most cells, makes ATP (energy) through cellular respiration

ATP

main energy source that cells use for most of their work

Metabolism

the sum total of all processes in an organism which convert energy and matter from outside sources and use that energy and matter to sustain the organism's life functions.

Herbivores

organisms that eat only plants

Carnivores

organisms that eat only meat

Omnivores

organisms that eat both plants and meat

Producers

organisms that produce their own food, another name for an autotroph

Consumers

organisms that eat living producers and/or other consumers for food, another name for a heterotroph

Decomposers

organisms that break down the dead remains of other organisms

Asexual reproduction

reproduction accomplished by a single organism, all information passed, identical offspring

Microorganisms

Living creatures that are too small to see with the naked eye.

Prokaryotic cell

A cell that does not have a nucleus or any distinct, membrane-bounded organelles.

Eukaryotic cell

A cell with distinct, membrane-bounded organelles and a true nucleus.

Taxonomy

The science of classifying organisms.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease.

Nucleus

The region of a eukaryotic cell that contains the cell's main DNA.

Vacuole

A membrane-bounded "sac" within a cell that stores food, water and waste.

Symbiosis

A close relationship between two or more species where at least one benefits.

Mutualism

A relationship between two or more organisms of different species where all benefit from the association.

Commensalism

A relationship between two organisms of different species where one benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefited.

Parasitism

A relationship between two organisms of different species where one benefits and the other is harmed.

Phytoplankton

Tiny floating photosynthetic organisms, primarily algae.

Cellulose

A substance (made of sugars) that is common in the cell walls of many organisms.

Diffusion

The random motion of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Semipermeable or selectively permeable membrane

A membrane that allows some molecules to pass through but does not allow other molecules to pass through.

Osmosis

Diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane

Enzymes

Proteins that speed up chemical reactions

Monosaccharides

building blocks of carbohydrates

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates that are made up of more than two monosaccharides.

Dehydration synthesis

A chemical reaction in which molecules combine by removing water.

Hydrolysis

Breaking down complex molecules by the chemical addition of water.

Peptide bond

A bond that links amino acids together in a protein.

Homeostasis

Maintaining a stable internal environment

Cell Wall

A rigid structure on the outside of certain cells, usually plant and bacteria cells.

Cytoplasm

A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended.

Mitochondria

The organelles in which nutrients are converted to energy.

Ribosomes

Non-membrane-bounded organelles responsible for protein synthesis.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Covered with ribosomes where many proteins for transport are assembled.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Does not have ribosomes, makes lipids and breaks down toxic substances.

Nuclear membrane

A highly-porous membrane that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm.

Chromatin

Clusters of DNA, RNA, and proteins in the nucleus of a cell.

Passive transport

Movement of molecules through the plasma membrane that does not use energy (osmosis or diffusion).

Active transport

Movement of molecules through the plasma membrane against the concentration gradient and requires energy.

Genetics

The science that studies how characteristics get passed from parent to offspring.

Gene

A section of DNA that codes for the production of a protein or a portion of protein, thereby causing a trait.

Chromosome

DNA coiled around and supported by proteins, found in the nucleus of the cell.

Mitosis

A process of asexual reproduction in eukaryotic cells. Makes body cells in multicellular organisms.

prophase

Chromosomes become visable, nuclear envelope dissolves, spindle forms

metaphase

Chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell

anaphase

Phase of mitosis in which the chromosomes separate and move to opposite ends of the cell

telophase

the chromosomes gather at opposite ends of the cell, two new nuclear envelopes form

Interphase

Composed of G1, S, G2 - where the cell grows and doubles its DNA information

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, found in the nucleus

nucleotides

building blocks of DNA

mRNA

carries DNA's message out of the nucleus to make proteins

proteins

polymers of amino acid chains

amino acids

the building blocks of protein

mutation

any change in the DNA sequence

rRNA

ribosomal rna, holds tightly to the mRNA and use its information to assemble amino acids

tRNA

transfer RNA, a type of RNA that attaches the correct amino acid to the protein chain that is being synthesized in the ribosomes

red blood cells

Blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body cells.

Platelets

help with blood clotting

plasma

liquid portion of blood

blood vessels

arteries, veins, capillaries - carry blood throughout the body

function of the heart

pumps blood throughout the body

digestive system

Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells. Includes teeth, mouth, esophagus, stomach, small, intestine, large intestine, and colon.

respiratory system

A system of organs, functioning in the process of gas exchange between the body and the environment, consisting especially of the nose, nasal passages, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

White blood cells

can ingest and destroy pathogens

Nervous system

the body's speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells, the brain, and the spinal cord

cancer

uncontrollable cell division

ecology

the branch of biology that studies the interactions of organisms with one another and with nonliving parts of their environment

equilibrium

the state of both sides are balanced

meiosis

makes gametes (sex cells)

Fertilization

restores the diploid number, when egg and sperm cells join

zygote

fertilized egg

sperm

male gamete or sex cell

egg

Female gamete or sex cell

lipids

Energy-rich organic compounds, such as fats, oils, and waxes, that are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Genotype

An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combinations.

Phenotype

physical expression of a gene

Punnett Square

A chart that shows all the possible combinations of alleles that can result from a genetic cross

dominant allele

An allele whose trait always shows up in the organism when the allele is present.

recessive allele

An allele that is hidden whenever the dominant allele is present

homozygous dominant

Both alleles (factors) for a trait are the same and dominant (AA), purebred dominant

homozygous recessive

Both alleles (factors) for a trait are the same and recessive (aa), purebred recessive

Heterozygous

having two different alleles for a trait (Aa), hybrid

Centromere

Area where the chromatids of a chromosome are attached, the belly button

Chromatid

one of two identical "sister" parts of a duplicated chromosome

Antigen

a molecule found on the outer surfaces of cells that the immune system recognizes as either part of the body or an outside invader

Antibodies

Proteins that attach to antigens, keeping them from harming the body

endocrine system

collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, among other things.

lymphatic system

the network of vessels through which lymph drains from the tissues into the blood

excretory system

performs the function of excretion, the bodily process of discharging wastes

circulatory system

carries oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to cells, and removes waste products, like carbon dioxide