Life Processes in Living Organisms – 2

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell division, modes of reproduction, plant and human reproductive biology, hormonal regulation, assisted reproductive technologies, and related health concepts.

Life Processes

Essential functions such as nutrition, respiration, excretion, sensation & response that keep an organism alive.

Reproduction

Biological process of producing new offspring of the same species; ensures continuity but not individual survival.

Mitosis

Type of cell division producing two genetically identical daughter cells with the same chromosome number as the parent.

Meiosis

Reductional cell division that halves chromosome number, producing four genetically varied haploid gametes.

Chromosome

DNA-containing structure that transmits hereditary information during cell division.

Asexual Reproduction

Uniparental reproduction without gamete fusion; offspring genetically identical to parent.

Sexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving formation and fusion of male and female gametes, leading to genetically varied offspring.

Binary Fission

Asexual division of a parent cell into two equal daughter cells; common in prokaryotes and protists.

Simple Binary Fission

Division plane variable; occurs in Amoeba.

Transverse Binary Fission

Division across the transverse axis; seen in Paramecium.

Longitudinal Binary Fission

Division along the lengthwise axis; found in Euglena.

Multiple Fission

Asexual process where repeated nuclear divisions produce many daughter cells inside a cyst (e.g., Amoeba).

Budding (Yeast)

Formation of a small outgrowth that receives a nucleus and detaches to live independently.

Fragmentation

Body breaks into pieces; each fragment grows into a new organism (e.g., Spirogyra, Sycon).

Regeneration

Ability to regrow lost parts; in Planaria it produces new individuals.

Budding (Hydra)

Multicellular outgrowth on parent hydra that develops into an independent hydra.

Vegetative Propagation

Plant reproduction via roots, stems, leaves, or buds (e.g., potato eyes, Bryophyllum leaf buds).

Spore Formation

Asexual reproduction by spores produced in sporangia (e.g., Mucor).

Gamete

Haploid reproductive cell (sperm or ovum) formed by meiosis.

Fertilization

Fusion of male and female gametes to form a diploid zygote.

Zygote

Diploid cell formed after fertilization; undergoes mitosis to develop an embryo.

Germination (Seed)

Development of new plantlet from a seed under favourable conditions.

Pollination

Transfer of pollen grains from anther to stigma.

Self-pollination

Pollination within the same flower or between flowers on the same plant.

Cross-pollination

Transfer of pollen between flowers on different plants of the same species.

Abiotic Pollination Agents

Non-living vectors such as wind and water that move pollen.

Biotic Pollination Agents

Living organisms like insects, birds, and animals that carry pollen.

Double Fertilization

In flowering plants, one male gamete fuses with egg (zygote) and another with polar nuclei (endosperm).

Androecium

Male floral whorl composed of stamens.

Stamen

Male flower part consisting of filament and anther where pollen forms.

Gynoecium

Female floral whorl made of one or more carpels.

Carpel

Female flower structure including ovary, style, and stigma.

Embryo Sac

Female gametophyte within ovule containing egg cell and polar nuclei.

Pollen Tube

Tube that grows from germinated pollen grain down the style to deliver male gametes to embryo sac.

Endosperm

Triploid nutritive tissue formed after double fertilization; feeds the developing embryo.

Bisexual Flower

Flower containing both androecium and gynoecium (e.g., Hibiscus).

Unisexual Flower

Flower containing either androecium or gynoecium but not both (e.g., Papaya).

Testis

Male gonad producing sperm and testosterone; located in scrotum.

Scrotum

Pouch outside abdominal cavity housing the testes.

Seminiferous Tubule

Testicular tubule where spermatogenesis occurs.

Epididymis

Duct where sperms mature and are stored.

Vas Deferens

Duct conveying mature sperms toward urethra.

Seminal Vesicle

Paired gland adding nutritive secretion to semen.

Prostate Gland

Single gland contributing alkaline fluid to semen.

Cowper’s Gland

Pair of glands secreting mucus that lubricates urethra.

Semen

Mixture of sperm and glandular secretions deposited in vagina.

Ovary

Female gonad producing ova, estrogen, and progesterone.

Fallopian Tube (Oviduct)

Duct receiving released oocyte; site of fertilization.

Uterus

Muscular organ where embryo implants and develops.

Vagina

Birth canal and copulatory passage; channel for menstrual flow.

Ovulation

Release of mature oocyte from ovarian follicle under LH surge.

Corpus Luteum

Hormone-secreting structure formed from emptied follicle; produces progesterone.

Corpus Albicans

Degenerate corpus luteum that no longer secretes hormones.

Menopause

Cessation of menstrual cycles due to decreased ovarian hormones, usually around age 45.

FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)

Pituitary hormone stimulating follicle growth in ovary and spermatogenesis in testes.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

Pituitary hormone triggering ovulation and corpus luteum formation; called ICSH in males.

Estrogen

Ovarian hormone promoting female secondary traits and endometrial growth.

Progesterone

Ovarian hormone preparing endometrium for implantation and maintaining pregnancy.

Testosterone

Male sex hormone essential for masculinity and sperm production.

Oxytocin

Posterior pituitary hormone inducing uterine contractions during parturition.

Implantation

Attachment of embryo to uterine endometrium.

Placenta

Temporary organ providing nutrients and gas exchange between mother and fetus.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

Test-tube technique where oocyte and sperm are fused outside body; embryo implanted later.

Surrogacy

Embryo from genetic parents implanted and grown in another woman's uterus.

Sperm Bank

Facility that collects, screens, and stores donor semen for assisted reproduction.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins arising from one zygote that splits; same sex and genetics.

Siamese Twins

Conjoined monozygotic twins whose embryos split late, leading to joined bodies.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins from two separate eggs fertilized by two sperms; genetically different.

Sex Determination (Humans)

Child’s sex decided by sperm type (X or Y); mother contributes only X.

Menstrual Cycle

Monthly hormonal cycle of endometrial preparation, ovulation, and menstruation in women.

Syphilis

Bacterial sexually transmitted disease causing chancres, rash, fever, and joint inflammation.

Gonorrhoea

Bacterial STI characterized by painful urination and pus discharge from genitals.

Population Explosion

Rapid, excessive increase in population leading to economic and resource stress.

Family Planning

Strategies to control reproduction and population size for health and economic stability.

Reproductive Health

State of physical, mental, and social well-being in reproductive processes and systems.