HBio final

Big Bang

The initial explosion that created the universe, marking the beginning of time and space.

Quarks

Fundamental particles that combine to form protons and neutrons.

Singularity

A point in the universe where density and gravitational forces are infinite, such as at the center of a black hole.

Inflation

A rapid expansion of the universe that occurred shortly after the Big Bang.

Protons

Positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons

Neutral particles located in the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom.

Atoms

The basic units of matter, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Nebula

A massive cloud of gas and dust in space, often the birthplace of stars.

Hydrogen

The simplest and most abundant element in the universe, with one proton.

Helium

The second lightest element, formed from hydrogen during stellar fusion.

Galaxies

Massive systems of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity.

Dark Energy

A mysterious force thought to be responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe.

Dark Matter

A form of matter that does not emit light or energy, detectable only through its gravitational effects.

Supernova

A powerful explosion marking the death of a star, often resulting in the formation of neutron stars or black holes.

Prokaryotes

Unicellular organisms without a nucleus, such as bacteria.

Organelles

Specialized structures within a cell that perform distinct functions.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell's genetic material.

Nucleoid

The region in a prokaryotic cell where the genetic material is located.

Ribosome

The cellular structure responsible for protein synthesis.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like substance within a cell, excluding the nucleus.

Cell Membrane

The protective barrier surrounding a cell, controlling what enters and exits.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer found in plant cells, providing structural support.

Flagella

Long, whip-like structures that aid in cell movement.

Cilia

Short, hair-like structures that help in cell movement and the movement of substances along cell surfaces.

Asexual Reproduction

A form of reproduction that involves a single parent, producing genetically identical offspring.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants convert sunlight into chemical energy.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that played a crucial role in oxygenating Earth's early atmosphere.

Ozone Layer

A region of Earth's atmosphere that absorbs most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Eukaryotes

Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and organelles.

Protists

A diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms, including algae and protozoa.

Mitochondria

The organelles responsible for energy production through cellular respiration.

Chloroplast

The organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.

Anaerobic

Referring to processes that occur without oxygen.

Aerobic

Referring to processes that require oxygen.

Cellular Respiration

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

Sexual Reproduction

A form of reproduction involving the combination of genetic material from two parents.

Cellular Specialization

The process by which cells develop specialized functions and structures.

Xylem

The tissue in vascular plants that transports water and nutrients from roots to leaves.

Phloem

The tissue in vascular plants that transports sugars and other metabolic products downward from the leaves.

Extremophiles

Organisms that thrive in extreme environmental conditions.

Unicellular

Organisms made up of a single cell.

Multicellular

Organisms composed of multiple cells that may be specialized for different functions.

Cambrian Explosion

A rapid diversification of life forms that occurred about 541 million years ago.

Bryophytes

Non-vascular plants, such as mosses, that reproduce via spores.

Pterophytes

Vascular plants that reproduce via spores, including ferns.

Gymnosperms

Seed-producing plants that do not form flowers or fruits, such as conifers.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from male to female reproductive structures in plants.

Seeds

Structures that contain the embryo of a plant and are capable of developing into a new plant.

Vascular

Referring to plants that have specialized tissues for transporting water and nutrients.

Avascular

Referring to plants that lack vascular tissues, such as mosses.

Desiccation

The process of drying out, which can be detrimental to living organisms.

Angiosperms

Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed within a fruit.

Flowers

The reproductive structures of angiosperms, often colorful and fragrant to attract pollinators.

Fruit

The mature ovary of a flowering plant, often containing seeds.

Amphibians

Cold-blooded vertebrates that typically have a life cycle involving both aquatic and terrestrial stages.

Metamorphosis

The developmental process in which an organism undergoes significant changes in form and function.

Reptiles

Cold-blooded vertebrates that lay eggs and have scales or scutes.

Mammals

Warm-blooded vertebrates characterized by hair and mammary glands.

Hominid

A family of primates that includes humans and their ancestors.

Placenta

An organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, providing nutrients and oxygen to the developing fetus.

H. erectus

An extinct species of hominid known for its use of tools and ability to walk upright.

H. heidelbergensis

An extinct species thought to be a common ancestor of Neanderthals and modern humans.

H. habilis

An early human species known for using stone tools.

Australopithecus

An early hominid genus that includes several species known to have walked upright.

H. ergaster

An early human species believed to be an ancestor of modern humans.

Neanderthals

An extinct species of hominids closely related to modern humans.

Endothermic

Organisms that regulate their body temperature internally.

Exothermic

Organisms that rely on external sources of heat to regulate body temperature.

Aristotle

An ancient Greek philosopher known for his contributions to biology and the classification of organisms.

Lyell

A geologist who proposed the theory of uniformitarianism, influencing evolutionary thought.

Malthus

An economist who theorized that populations grow exponentially while resources grow arithmetically.

Lamarck

A biologist known for proposing the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Cuvier

A paleontologist who established extinction as a fact and contributed to comparative anatomy.

Linnaeus

The botanist who developed the system of binomial nomenclature for naming species.

Wallace

A naturalist who independently proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Paleontology

The study of fossils and ancient life forms.

Strata

Layers of rock or soil that provide information about the history of life on Earth.

Evolution

The change in the inherited traits of a population over generations.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

Radiometric Dating

A technique used to date materials by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes.

Half Life

The time required for half of a quantity of a radioactive substance to decay.

Homology

Similarities in structure due to shared ancestry.

Analogy

Similarities in function but not in structure, often due to convergent evolution.

Homologous Structures

Anatomical features that share a common ancestry.

Analogous Structures

Features that serve similar functions but evolved independently.

Comparative Embryology

The study of the development of embryos in different species to understand evolutionary relationships.

Vestigial Structures

Anatomical features that have lost their original function through evolution.

Convergent Evolution

The independent evolution of similar traits in different species due to similar environmental pressures.

Divergent Evolution

The process by which related species evolve different traits.

Pharyngeal Gill Slits

Embryonic structures that develop into different features in various vertebrates.

Pharyngeal Arches

Structures that form during embryonic development, contributing to various anatomical features.

Biogeography

The study of the geographical distribution of organisms.

Pangea

The supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras.

Endemic

Species that are native to and restricted to a specific geographical region.

Artificial Selection

The breeding of organisms for desired traits by humans.

Sexual Selection

A form of natural selection where individuals with certain traits are more likely to attract mates.

Intersexual Selection

Selection based on preferences of one sex for certain traits in mates.

Intrasexual Selection

Competition between members of the same sex for access to mates.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics.