Honor Biology Summer Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary list for Honor Biology summer preparation, covering scientific method, cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and plant systems.

Biology

The study of living things

Observation

Information gathered using the senses

Inference

A logical explanation based on observations

Hypothesis

A testable, educated guess

Independent variable

The factor that is changed

Dependent variable

The factor that is measured

Controlled experiment

An experiment with only one variable changed

Control group

The group used for comparison

Constant

A factor that stays the same

Data

Collected information

Quantitative data

Numerical data

Qualitative data

Descriptive data

Conclusion

Explanation of experimental results

Theory

A well‑tested scientific explanation

Law

A description of a natural phenomenon

Cell

The basic unit of life

Homeostasis

Maintaining stable internal conditions

Metabolism

All chemical reactions in an organism

Reproduction

Producing offspring

Growth

Increase in size or number of cells

Development

Changes during an organism’s life

Response

Reaction to a stimulus

Adaptation

A trait that helps survival

Atom

Smallest unit of matter

Element

Pure substance made of one type of atom

Compound

Substance made of two or more elements

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together

Chemical bond

Force holding atoms together

pH

Measure of acidity or basicity

Polarity

Uneven charge distribution

Hydrogen bond

Weak attraction between molecules

Carbohydrate

Main energy source

Lipid

Fats, oils, and waxes

Protein

Builds structures and controls reactions

Enzyme

Protein that speeds up chemical reactions

Nucleic acid

Stores genetic information (DNA, RNA)

Monomer

Single piece of polymer

Polymer

The large macromolecule

Prokaryote

Cell without a nucleus

Eukaryote

Cell with a nucleus

Organelle

Specialized structure within a cell

Cell membrane

Controls what enters/exits the cell

Cytoplasm

Jelly‑like material inside the cell

Nucleus

Controls cell activities

Mitochondria

Produces ATP (“powerhouse”)

Ribosome

Makes proteins; the cellular structure where proteins are made

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

Transports materials

Golgi apparatus

Packages and ships proteins

Lysosome

Breaks down waste

Vacuole

Storage sac

Cell wall

Support structure in plant cells

Chloroplast

Site of photosynthesis; organelle where photosynthesis occurs

Diffusion

Movement from high to low concentration

Osmosis

Diffusion of water

Passive transport

No energy required

Active transport

Requires energy

Equilibrium

Equal concentration

Endocytosis

Cell takes material in; active transport

Exocytosis

Cell releases material; active transport

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants use light energy to make glucose

Chlorophyll

Green pigment in plants

Reactants

Starting materials in a reaction

Products

Ending materials in a reaction

Cellular respiration

Process of releasing energy from glucose

ATP

Energy molecule of the cell

Aerobic

Requires oxygen

Anaerobic

Does not require oxygen

Fermentation

Anaerobic energy process

Cell cycle

Life cycle of a cell

Mitosis

Division of body cells

Meiosis

Division that makes sex ‘gamete’ cells

Chromosome

DNA coil containing genes

Chromatid

One half of a duplicated chromosome

Interphase

Cell growth stage

Prophase

Chromosomes condense

Metaphase

Chromosomes line up

Anaphase

Chromosomes separate

Telophase

Two nuclei form

Cytokinesis

Cytoplasm divides

Gametes

Sex cells

Somatic cells

Body cells

Autosomal

Somatic cells

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Genetic material; the molecule that carries genetic instructions for making proteins

Gene

Segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein or trait

Trait

Characteristic

Allele

Different forms of a gene

Genotype

Genetic makeup

Phenotype

Physical appearance

Dominant

Trait that masks others

Recessive

Trait that can be hidden

Homozygous

Two identical alleles

Heterozygous

Two different alleles

Punnett square

Predicts genetic outcomes

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can affect protein structure and function

Codon

Three DNA bases coding for amino acid; a sequence of three mRNA bases that codes for a specific amino acid

Evolution

Change in populations over time; change in a population over generations

Natural selection

The process by which organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce more successfully

Variation

Differences among individuals in a population

Fossil

Preserved remains

Extinction

Species no longer exists