Module 1

Cell Membrane

A biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of all cells from the external environment.

Enzyme

A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed in the process.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Cellular Respiration

The metabolic process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Chromosomes

Structures within cells that contain DNA and carry genetic information.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to alterations in gene function and may affect an organism's traits.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by the immune system that recognize and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses.

Homeostasis

The process by which living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain stable and constant conditions.

Metabolism

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions that involve converting food into energy and rebuilding cellular components.

Protein Synthesis

The process by which cells create proteins based on the genetic information in DNA.

Ribosomes

Cellular structures where proteins are synthesized from amino acids based on mRNA templates.

DNA Replication

The process of copying the DNA molecule to produce two identical DNA molecules for cell division.

Genetic Drift

A mechanism of evolution that involves changes in the genetic composition of a population due to random sampling.

Osmosis

The movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to higher concentration.

Transport Proteins

Proteins that facilitate the movement of ions and molecules across the cell membrane.

Vaccination

A method of stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens, preventing diseases.

Bioluminescence

The natural phenomenon where living organisms produce and emit light through biochemical reactions.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into different cell types throughout the body.

MicroRNA

Small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation or degrading mRNA.

Chloroplasts

Organelles found in plant cells where photosynthesis takes place, containing chlorophyll.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system that regulate physiological processes.

Prions

Infectious agents composed of protein that can cause neurodegenerative diseases by inducing abnormal folding of other proteins.

Genomics

The study of the entirety of an organism's genes and their interactions, including the influence of environmental factors.

Biotechnology

The use of living organisms or their components to develop or create products and technologies for specific purposes.

Phylogenetics

The study of evolutionary relationships among biological entities, often using molecular sequencing data.

Signal Transduction

The process by which a cell responds to signals in its environment through a series of molecular events.

Phagocytosis

The process by which a cell engulfs and digests large particles or pathogens.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

A network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis, containing rough and smooth regions.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons to communicate information.

Biochemical Pathway

A series of chemical reactions within a cell that lead to a specific product or change in the cell.

Gene Therapy

A technique that modifies or replaces defective genes to treat or prevent disease.