Grade X Biology Competency and HOTS Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering life processes, nervous and hormonal coordination, and ecosystem concepts from Grade X Science assignment notes.

Arteries

Blood vessels with thick muscular walls through which blood flows under high pressure.

Anaerobic Respiration

A form of respiration where glucose is only partially broken down, resulting in less energy release.

Left Ventricle

The heart chamber that has thicker walls than the right ventricle because it pumps blood to the entire body.

Bile

A secretion produced by the liver that emulsifies fats.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood.

Bowman's Capsule

A cup-like sac at the beginning of the nephron where blood filtration takes place.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries within the nephron where blood filtration occurs.

Double Pump

A term describing the human heart because it pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs and oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

Reflex Arc

The pathway traced by a nerve impulse during a reflex action: Receptor → Sensory neuron → Spinal cord → Motor neuron → Effector.

Auxin

A plant growth hormone that facilitates cell elongation and helps plant shoots bend towards light.

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands that release their hormonal secretions directly into the bloodstream.

Exocrine Glands

Glands that secrete their products into body surfaces or cavities through dedicated ducts.

Adrenaline

The hormone released by the adrenal gland during emergency or stress situations, causing increased heartbeat and sweating.

Adrenal Gland

The endocrine gland responsible for producing adrenaline during stressful or sudden situations.

Cerebrum

The part of the brain responsible for higher mental functions, including sensory interpretation like sound.

Cerebellum

The region of the brain responsible for maintaining posture, balance, and fine movement coordination.

Medulla Oblongata

The part of the brain stem responsible for controlling vital involuntary functions such as respiration and heart rate.

Biodegradable Waste

Waste materials derived from biological sources that can be naturally decomposed, such as fruit peels, paper, and leftover food.

Non-biodegradable Waste

Waste materials such as plastic bottles, glass bottles, and aluminium cans that cannot be broken down by natural biological processes.

Producer

An organism, such as grass, that produces its own organic food at the beginning of a food chain.

Secondary Consumer

An organism in a food chain that feeds on primary consumers, such as a frog eating a grasshopper.

Tertiary Consumer

An organism near the top of a food chain that feeds on secondary consumers, such as an eagle or snake.