Final Unit 1 Biology 11 Intro to Science & Biomolecules

Cell

Basic unit of life.

Homeostasis

Maintaining stable internal conditions in an organism.

Feedback mechanisms

Processes that help maintain homeostasis by responding to changes.

Stimulus

Anything that causes an organism to react.

Sexual reproduction

Reproduction involving two parents that produces genetically different offspring.

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction involving one parent that produces genetically identical offspring.

Autotroph

Organism that makes its own food.

Heterotroph

Organism that gets food by consuming other organisms.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants use sunlight to make glucose.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions that occur in an organism.

Hypothesis

Testable explanation for an observation.

Inference

Logical conclusion based on observations and evidence.

Theory

Well-supported explanation based on extensive evidence.

Law

Statement describing a pattern or relationship in nature.

Observation

Information gathered using the senses or tools.

Experiment

Procedure used to test a hypothesis.

Qualitative data

Descriptive data based on qualities or characteristics.

Quantitative data

Numerical data that can be measured.

Independent variable

Factor intentionally changed in an experiment.

Dependent variable

Factor measured in an experiment.

Controlled variable

Factor kept constant during an experiment.

Control group

Group that does not receive the treatment and is used for comparison.

Experimental group

Group that receives the treatment being tested.

Mode

Value that appears most often in a data set.

Median

Middle value in a data set when arranged in order.

Mean

Average value found by adding all values and dividing by the number of values.

Polar/Hydrophilic

Molecules with uneven charges that are attracted to water.

Nonpolar/Hydrophobic

Molecules with no uneven charges that repel water.

Adhesion

Attraction between different substances.

Cohesion

Attraction between molecules of the same substance.

Hydrogen Bond

Weak attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen and a slightly negative atom.

Electronegativity

Ability of an atom to attract electrons.

Heat Capacity

Amount of heat needed to change a substance's temperature.

Density

Mass per unit volume.

pH Scale

Scale measuring how acidic or basic a solution is from 0 to 14.

Atom

Smallest unit of an element that retains its properties.

Ion

Atom or molecule with a charge due to gaining or losing electrons.

Molecule

Two or more atoms chemically bonded together.

Element

Pure substance made of one type of atom.

Functional Group

Group of atoms that gives molecules specific properties.

Polymer

Large molecule made of repeating subunits.

Monomer

Small building block that makes up polymers.

Dehydration Synthesis

Process that joins molecules by removing water.

Hydrolysis

Process that breaks molecules apart by adding water.

Polymerization

Process of forming polymers from monomers.

Depolymerization

Process of breaking polymers into monomers.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules used mainly for quick energy.

Protein

Organic molecules made of amino acids that perform many functions.

Lipids

Organic molecules used for energy storage and cell membranes.

Nucleic Acids

Molecules that store and transmit genetic information.

Monosaccharide

Simple sugar that is the basic unit of carbohydrates.

Disaccharide

Sugar made of two monosaccharides.

Polysaccharide

Complex carbohydrate made of many monosaccharides.

Amino Acid

Building block of proteins.

Polypeptide

Chain of amino acids linked together.

Peptide Bond

Bond that connects amino acids.

Nucleotide

Building block of nucleic acids.

Saturated Fat

Fat with no double bonds that is usually solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fat

Fat with one or more double bonds that is usually liquid at room temperature.

Trans Fat

Artificial fat formed by hydrogenation that increases health risks.

Glucose

Simple sugar used as the main energy source for cells.

Sucrose

Table sugar made of glucose and fructose.

Glycogen

Storage form of glucose in animals.

Cellulose

Structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls.

Triglyceride

Lipid made of glycerol and three fatty acids used for energy storage.

Phospholipid

Lipid with a phosphate group that forms cell membranes.

Steroid

Lipid with four carbon rings used in hormones and cell membranes.

DNA/RNA

Nucleic acids that store and transmit genetic information.

Hemoglobin

Protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.