6th grade Biology Vocabulary

cell

The basic unit of structure and function in living things

cell membrane

A cell structure that controls which substances can enter or leave the cell.

cell wall

A rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane and provides support to the cell

chloroplast

An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis occurs

cytoplasm

A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended

mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell, organelle that is the site of ATP (energy) production

nucleus

A part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction

organelle

A tiny cell structure that carries out a specific function within the cell

ribosome

Makes proteins

vacuole

Cell organelle that stores materials such as water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates

cell theory

idea that all living things are composed of cells, cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things, and new cells are produced from existing cells

chromosome

a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

asexual reproduction

A reproductive process that involves only one parent and produces offspring that are identical to the parent.

genetically identical

Cloning results in two organisms that are identical

sexual reproduction

A reproductive process that involves two parents that combine their genetic material to produce a new organism, which differs from both parents

autotrophic

Organisms that make their own food

eukaryotic

A cell characterized by the presence of a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotes can be unicellular (protists) or multicellular (fungi, plants and animals).

heterotrophic

Organisms that obtain their nutrients or food from consuming other organisms.

multicellular

Made up of more than one cell.

prokaryotic

An organism whose cells do not have an enclosed nucleus, such as bacteria.

unicellular

Made of a single cell

domain

A taxonomic category above the kingdom level. The three domains are Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

kingdom

large taxonomic group, consisting of closely related phyla

taxonomic classification system

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

animalia

kingdom of multicellular eukaryotic heterotrophs whose cells do not have cell walls

archaea

Domain of unicellular prokaryotes that have cell walls that do not contain peptidoglycan

bacteria

single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes

fungi

A kingdom made up of nongreen, eukaryotic organisms that have no means of movement, reproduce by using spores, and get food by breaking down substances in their surroundings and absorbing the nutrients

plantae

Kingdom of multicellular photosynthetic autotrophs that have cell walls containing cellulose

protista

Kingdom composed of eukaryotes that are not classified as plants, animals, or fungi

species

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

genus

A classification grouping that consists of a number of similar, closely related species

family

Group of genera that share many characteristics

order

in classification, a group of closely related families

class

in classification, a group of closely related orders

phylum

in classification, a group of closely related classes

motile

Capable of movement

nonmotile

not capable of movement

vertebrate

an animal that has a backbone

invertebrate

an animal that does not have a backbone