living environment topics 1-3 vocab

What is Active Transport?

The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane against a concentration gradient, requiring energy.

What are Amino Acids?

Organic compounds that are the building blocks of proteins.

What is a Cell?

The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

What is the function of the Cell Membrane?

It is a semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell, regulating what enters and exits.

What occurs during Cell Respiration?

Cells convert glucose and other nutrients into usable energy (ATP), often using oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.

What are Chloroplasts?

Organelles found in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.

What is Circulation?

The movement of blood through the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products.

What does Cytoplasm refer to?

The gel-like substance inside a cell membrane that contains the cell's organelles.

What is Digestion?

The process of breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body.

What is Diffusion?

The movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

What are Enzymes?

Biological catalysts, typically proteins, that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

What is Excretion?

The process of eliminating waste products from the body.

What is Homeostasis?

The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

What is the role of Hormones?

Chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands and transported in the blood to target tissues and organs.

What does Immunity mean?

The ability of an organism to resist infection and disease.

What are Inorganic substances?

Substances that do not contain carbon (with some exceptions like carbon dioxide).

What is Metabolism?

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within a living organism to maintain life.

What role do Mitochondria play in cells?

They are the site of cellular respiration (ATP production).

What is the function of the Nucleus?

It is the central organelle of a cell that contains the cell's DNA.

What is an Organ?

A structure composed of different tissues working together to perform a specific function.

What is an Organ System?

A group of organs working together to perform a major bodily function.

What is an Organelle?

A specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function.

What defines Organic substances?

Substances that contain carbon.

What is a Receptor Molecule?

Proteins on or in cells that bind to specific molecules, triggering a cellular response.

What is Reproduction?

The process by which organisms produce new offspring.

What are Ribosomes?

Cellular structures that are the site of protein synthesis.

What are Simple Sugars?

Monosaccharides, like glucose, that are the basic building blocks of carbohydrates.

What is Synthesis?

The process of combining smaller molecules to form larger, more complex molecules.

What is a Tissue?

A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function.

What is a Vacuole?

A membrane-bound sac within a cell that stores water, food, or other materials.

What is AIDS?

A chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which damages the immune system.

What is an Allergy?

A reaction by the body's immune system to a normally harmless substance (allergen).

What are Antibodies?

Proteins produced by the immune system that recognize and neutralize specific antigens.

What is an Antigen?

A substance that triggers an immune response.

What is ATP?

Adenosine Triphosphate, the primary energy carrier in cells.

What are Bacteria?

Single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms.

What are Biochemical Processes?

Chemical processes that occur within living organisms.

What is a Catalyst?

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed itself.

What is Cellular Respiration?

The process by which cells convert glucose and other nutrients into usable energy (ATP).

What is a Disease?

Any condition that impairs the normal functioning of an organism.

What is Dynamic Equilibrium?

A state of balance in a system where opposing forces or processes are occurring at equal rates.

What is a Feedback Mechanism?

A system that regulates itself by responding to changes in the environment.

What are Fungi?

Eukaryotic organisms that include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms, often acting as decomposers.

What is Gas Exchange?

The process of exchanging gases between an organism and its environment.

What is Glucose?

A simple sugar (monosaccharide) that is a major source of energy for cells.

What are Guard Cells?

Specialized cells in plant leaves that regulate the opening and closing of stomata for gas exchange.

What is the Immune System?

A complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that defends the body against pathogens.

What does Insulin do?

It is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels.

What is a Microbe?

A microorganism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus.

What does the Pancreas produce?

Digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin and glucagon.

What is a Parasite?

An organism that lives on or in another organism and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense.

What is a Pathogen?

A microorganism that can cause disease.

What does pH measure?

The acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

What is Photosynthesis?

The process by which plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

What is Respiration?

The process of breathing and gas exchange in the body.

What are Stimuli?

Changes in the environment that can be detected by an organism.

What is a Vaccine?

A substance that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies, providing immunity to a specific disease.

What is a Virus?

A tiny, nonliving particle that infects cells and replicates inside them.

What is Asexual Reproduction?

Reproduction that involves only one parent and produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.

What is Biotechnology?

The use of living organisms or their products to develop useful products or processes.

What is a Bond in chemistry?

A chemical link between atoms in a molecule.

What is a Chromosome?

A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and proteins that carries genetic information.

What is a Clone?

An organism that is genetically identical to another organism.

What is DNA?

Deoxyribonucleic Acid, the molecule that carries genetic information in cells.

What is the role of the Egg in reproduction?

The female reproductive cell (gamete).

What does it mean when a gene is Expressed?

It is actively being transcribed and translated into a protein.

What are Genes?

Segments of DNA that code for specific traits.

What is Genetic Engineering?

The deliberate modification of an organism's genes using biotechnology techniques.

What is Genetic Recombination?

The process of combining genetic material from different sources, leading to genetic variation.

What is Heredity?

The passing of traits from parents to offspring.

What is a Mutation?

A change in the DNA sequence.

What does it mean to Replicate?

To make a copy of something, such as DNA.

What is Selective Breeding?

The process of selecting organisms with desired traits to breed in order to enhance those traits.

What is Sexual Reproduction?

Reproduction that involves the combination of genetic material from two parents, producing offspring that are genetically different.

What is Sperm?

The male reproductive cell (gamete).

What is a Subunit?

A smaller component that makes up a larger molecule or structure.

What is a Template in molecular biology?

A molecule that serves as a pattern for the synthesis of another molecule.

What are Traits in biology?

Characteristics or features of an organism that are inherited.