Unit 1: Basic Biological Principles & Cells and Organelles Notes

Vocabulary flashcards based on biology lecture notes.

Scientific Method

A series of steps used by scientists to solve problems or answer questions (Observations, Hypothesis, Experiment, Analysis, Conclusion).

Cells

Basic units of all living things.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that do not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

ER

Endoplasmic Reticulum; may be rough (with ribosomes) or smooth.

Golgi Apparatus

Organelle responsible for processing and packaging proteins and lipids.

Lysosomes

Organelles containing enzymes that break down materials

Chloroplasts

Organelles found in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.

Centrioles

Specialized structure in animal cells which help organize cell division.

Cohesion

The tendency of water molecules to stick to each other.

Adhesion

The tendency of water molecules to stick to other substances.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak attractions between hydrogen atoms and other atoms.

High Heat Capacity

A high amount of energy needed to change the temperature of water.

High Heat of Vaporization

A high amount of energy needed to vaporize water.

Solution

Substance that dissolves other substances and the solvent that remains.

Solute

Substance being dissolved in a solution.

Solvent

The substance that dissolves the solute.

Acid

Compound that forms hydrogen ions (H+) in solution.

Base

Compound that produces hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution.

pH Scale

Scale used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

Catalyst (Enzyme)

A substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction without being used up itself.

Dehydration Synthesis

The process of joining monomers to form polymers by removing water.

Hydrolysis

The process of breaking down polymers into monomers by adding water.

Population

The level of organization in living things that includes a group of organisms of one species that live in the same area.

Community

The level of organization in living things that includes different populations living together in an area.

Ecosystem

The level of organization in living things that includes the community plus the nonliving factors.

Biosphere

The level of organization in living things that includes all life on Earth and the nonliving portions of Earth that support life.

Independent Variable

The variable that is deliberately changed in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is observed and measured in an experiment; it changes in response to the independent variable.

Proteins

Macromolecule made of amino acids; function includes speeding up reactions/regulation

Carbohydrates

Biological molecule that consists of simple sugars, example Glucose.

Nucleic Acids

Macromolecules containing genetic information.

Lipids

Long-term energy storage molecule; examples are fats, oils, and waxes.

Organic Compounds

Organic molecules that contain both carbon and hydrogen.