Biology 2050

Biology

The study of life.

Cell

The basic and smallest unit of life.

Organization

Living things are highly organized, containing specialized, coordinated parts.

Metabolism

The process where living things use energy and nutrients for chemical reactions that sustain life.

Homeostasis

The regulation of an organism's internal environment to maintain conditions needed for cell function.

Growth

The process where living organisms undergo regulated growth.

Reproduction

The ability of organisms to reproduce themselves and create new organisms.

Response

The ability of living organisms to respond to stimuli or changes in their environment.

Evolution

The process where populations of living organisms undergo changes in genetic makeup over time.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a natural phenomenon.

Theory

A broad explanation of some aspect of the natural world substantiated by a large body of evidence.

Discovery-based Science

An approach to understanding biology that involves observation and analysis.

Hypothesis Testing

An approach to understanding biology that involves forming and testing predictions.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Compound

A substance formed when two or more different types of atoms bond chemically.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom.

Ionic Bonds

Bonds formed when electrons are transferred between atoms, creating ions that attract each other.

Covalent Bonds

Bonds formed when electrons are shared between atoms.

Hydrogen Bond

An attraction between a hydrogen atom from one polar molecule and an electronegative atom from another molecule.

Protons

Subatomic particles with a positive charge, located in the nucleus.

Neutrons

Subatomic particles with a neutral charge, located in the nucleus.

Electrons

Subatomic particles with a negative charge, found in electron clouds surrounding the nucleus.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with differing numbers of neutrons.

Carbon-14

A radioactive isotope of carbon used in radiocarbon dating.

Periodic Table

A tabular arrangement of the elements, organized by atomic number.

Molar Mass

An approximate whole-number equivalent to the mass number of an element.

Solubility

The ability of a solute to dissolve in a solvent.

Hydrophilic

Molecules that have ionic and/or polar covalent bonds, readily dissolving in water.

pH Scale

A logarithmic scale measuring hydrogen ion concentration in solutions.

Hydrophobic

Molecules that do not dissolve in water.

Amphipathic Molecules

Molecules with both polar and nonpolar regions.

Cations

Positively charged ions that form when an atom loses electrons.

Anions

Negatively charged ions that form when an atom gains electrons.

Dehydration Reaction

A chemical reaction that links two monosaccharides by releasing a water molecule.

Glycosidic Bond

The covalent bond formed specifically between carbohydrate monomers during a dehydration reaction.

Monomers

Single basic subunits or chains, such as individual protein chains or sugar molecules.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates composed of two monosaccharides linked together.

Polysaccharides

Long chains made up of three or more monosaccharides.

Triglycerides

Fats composed of one glycerol molecule linked to three fatty acid chains.

Phospholipids

Molecules composed of a glycerol backbone attached to two fatty acids and one phosphate group.

Steroids

Water-insoluble lipid compounds characterized by multi-ring structures that function in signaling and structural roles.

Cholesterol

A crucial lipid molecule that regulates membrane fluidity and serves as a precursor for steroid hormones.

Hydrolysis Reaction

The reverse of dehydration, where water is added to break down complex molecules.