Biology SAAT Lecture Highlights

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering major biological themes ranging from cellular processes and genetics to animal phylums and human anatomy based on lecture notes.

Biology

The branch of science that studies living things and how they interact with each other and their environment.

Scientific Law

A description of a fact of nature supported by strong evidence that does not change.

Scientific Theory

An explanation of why or how something happens that can be changed or improved if new information is found.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to regulate its internal environment to maintain stable conditions for survival.

Adaptation

The genetic traits that enable an organism to survive and respond to changes in its environment.

Observation

A direct way of collecting information in an organized manner; the first step of the scientific method.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation of a situation.

Independent Variable

The factor that is changed or controlled in an experiment to see its effect.

Dependent Variable

The factor that changes as a result of the independent variable and is measured in the experiment.

Binomial Nomenclature

A biological system of naming organisms using two terms: the Genus and the species.

Domain

The broadest and largest category in the biological classification system.

Virus

A nonliving strand of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed within a protein coat.

Capsid

The protein coat that surrounds and protects the viral genetic material.

Retrovirus

A type of virus whose genetic material is RNA instead of DNA, such as HIV.

Prion

A unique type of infectious agent that replicates and spreads within the brain, causing diseases like Mad Cow Disease.

Peptidoglycan

A polymer of sugars and amino acids found in the cell walls of Bacteria but absent in Archaea.

Binary Fission

The primary method of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes where one cell divides into two identical cells.

Conjugation

A process in which two bacteria attach and transfer genetic material using pili.

Gram-positive Bacteria

Bacteria that appear dark purple or violet after staining due to a thick layer of peptidoglycan.

Normal Flora

Beneficial bacteria, such as E. coli in the intestines, that produce vitamins and protect against harmful bacteria.

Cyanobacteria

Prokaryotic bacteria that perform photosynthesis and produce oxygen, often called blue-green algae.

Ciliates

Animal-like protists, such as Paramecium, that move using tiny hair-like structures called cilia.

Pseudopodia

'False feet' used by amoebas for movement and for surrounding food during nutrition.

Bioluminescence

The phenomenon where seawater changes color (red tide) due to the presence of toxic red dinoflagellates.

Chitin

A strong and flexible polysaccharide that makes up the cell walls of fungi and the exoskeletons of arthropods.

Hyphae

Thread-like filaments that are the basic building blocks of a fungus.

Mycelium

A mass of branching hyphae usually found below the soil surface.

Saprophytic Fungi

Fungi that obtain nutrients by feeding on dead organisms and organic waste.

Lichens

A mutualistic symbiotic relationship between a fungus and algae.

Gastrula

An embryonic stage consisting of a two-layered or three-layered cell sac with an opening at the end.

Endoderm

The innermost layer of the gastrula that develops into the digestive tract and digestive organs.

Ectoderm

The outer layer of the gastrula that develops into the skin and nervous system.

Mesoderm

The middle layer in complex animals that develops into the circulatory, excretory, and respiratory systems.

Parthenogenesis

A type of asexual reproduction where a new organism grows from an unfertilized egg.

Flame Cells

Specialized cells in flatworms that remove waste and help regulate water balance.

Mantle

A membrane surrounding the internal organs of mollusks that secretes calcium carbonate to form the shell.

Radula

A tongue-like structure with teeth used by mollusks for feeding, scraping, or cutting food.

Nephridia

Structures in mollusks and annelids that filter blood and remove waste products to maintain homeostasis.

Cephalothorax

A body region in some arthropods where the head and thorax are fused together.

Malpighian Tubules

Structures used by insects to remove metabolic waste and maintain water balance.

Complete Metamorphosis

An insect life cycle consisting of four stages: Egg, Larva, Pupa, and Adult.

Neural Crest

A group of embryonic cells in vertebrates that develops into the brain, skull, sensory organs, and nerves.

Swim Bladder

An internal gas-filled organ that allows bony fish to control their diving depth.

Lateral Line

A sensory system in fish that enables them to detect movement and keep balance in the water.

Ectotherm

An animal, such as an amphibian or reptile, whose body temperature is regulated by the external environment.

Endotherm

An animal, such as a bird or mammal, that maintains a constant body temperature regardless of the environment.

Amniotic Egg

An egg with a tough, leathery shell that protects the embryo, characteristic of reptiles.

Jacobson's Organs

Structures in a snake's mouth used for sensing odor molecules collected by the tongue.

Diaphragm

A muscle located below the lungs that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and aids in breathing.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain responsible for voluntary actions, learning, memory, and speech.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain that controls balance, posture, coordination, and fine motor skills.

Medulla Oblongata

Part of the brainstem that controls involuntary functions like heart rate and blood pressure.

Threshold

The minimum amount of stimulation required to generate a nerve impulse.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

The heart's pacemaker located in the right atrium that regulates heartbeat.

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and body cells.

Amylase

An enzyme found in saliva that breaks down complex carbohydrates like starch into simple sugars.

Pepsin

A stomach enzyme used for the digestion of proteins.

Glycogen

The storage form of glucose in the liver and muscles of humans.

Nucleosome

A structure consisting of DNA wrapped around a histone protein.

Transcription

The process of copying genetic information from DNA into mRNA, occurring in the nucleus.

Translation

The process where mRNA binds to a ribosome to form a protein in the cytoplasm.

Codon

A set of three nitrogenous bases in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.