science 2

Ribosomes

Small structures made up of RNA and proteins.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Membranous structure that forms a network of canals for transporting proteins and other molecules.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

Endoplasmic reticulum with attached ribosomes, responsible for transporting proteins produced in ribosomes.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

Endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes, transports large molecules within the cell.

Golgi Complex

Stack of flattened sacs near the endoplasmic reticulum, modifies proteins and transports packaged cell products.

Vacuoles

Store materials such as water, carbohydrates, proteins, and salts.

Vesicles

Responsible for storage and transport of materials between cells.

Lysosomes

Membrane-bound organelles containing hydrolytic enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Endomembrane System

Nucleus > Endoplasmic Reticulum > Golgi Complex.

Cell Wall

Present in plant cells, absent in animal cells.

Plastid

Present in plant cells, absent in animal cells.

Centrioles

Absent in plant cells, present in animal cells.

Red Blood Cells

Transport oxygen from the lungs to different organs.

White Blood Cells

Protect the body against invading pathogens.

Bacteria

Oldest life forms on Earth, prokaryotes, reproduce without fusion of reproductive cells.

Cocci

Circular bacteria.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria.

Spirilla

Spiral-shaped bacteria.

Archaens

Ancient microorganisms similar to bacteria.

Levels of Organization of Life

Cell > Tissue > Organ > Organ System > Organism.

Sexual Reproduction

Involves two parents and the union of gametes.

Asexual Reproduction

Parent self-reproduces without the union of reproductive cells.

Prokaryotes

Cells divide into two identical cells that are exact copies of the parent cell.

Plants (asexual)

Reproduce asexually.

Flowering plants (sexual)

Reproduce sexually through pistils and stamens.

Pollination > Fertilization > Seed Dispersal > Germination.

Ecology

Study of living and non-living environments.

Ecologists

Scientists who study ecology.

Biosphere

Part of the Earth that supports life.

Biome

Areas with the same plant and climate characteristics.

Ecosystem

Biotic and abiotic factors interacting in an environment.

Community

Different species interacting in a given area.

Population

Group of organisms of the same species in a defined area.

Organism

Individual life form.

Biotic Components

Producers and consumers in an ecosystem.

Producers

Autotrophs that make their own food.

Consumers

Heterotrophs that consume other organisms.

Primary Consumers

Herbivores that eat plants.

Secondary Consumers

Carnivores that eat other consumers.

Omnivores

Eat both plants and animals.

Scavengers

Consumers that feed on dead organisms.

Decomposers

Break down organic matter and recycle nutrients.

Detritivores

Break down large chunks of dead or decaying organic matter.

Abiotic Components

Nonliving factors that sustain life in an ecosystem.

Competition

Organisms competing for resources.

Predation

Consumer capturing and feeding on another organism.

Parasitism

One organism benefiting at the expense of another.

Mutualism

Both organisms benefiting from each other.

Commensalism

One organism benefiting while the other is neither benefited nor harmed.

Symbiosis

Living together of two or more organisms.