NYSSLS Biology Review Vocabulary

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the main energy carrier in cells.

DNA

Genetic material found in all living organisms.

abiotic

Non-living parts of an ecosystem (e.g., sunlight, temperature).

adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce.

advantageous trait

A trait that increases an organism's fitness in a given environment.

allele

Different forms of a gene (e.g., dominant or recessive).

amino acid sequence

The order of amino acids in a protein; determines its structure and function.

anaerobic respiration

Energy production in cells without oxygen; less efficient than aerobic.

antibody

A protein produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize pathogens.

biodiversity

The variety of life in an area, important for ecosystem stability.

biotic

Living components of an ecosystem.

carbohydrate

Organic molecule used for energy (sugars and starches).

carrying capacity

The maximum population size an environment can support.

causational evidence

Evidence that shows one factor directly causes a change in another. Example: Bacteria exposed to antibiotics die, showing the antibiotic causes bacterial death.

cell differentiation

The process by which cells become specialized in structure and function.

cell receptor

A protein that receives signals and initiates a response.

cellular respiration

The process by which cells release energy from glucose.

chloroplast

Organelle in plants where photosynthesis takes place.

chromosome

A structure made of DNA that contains many genes.

circulatory system

Transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste throughout the body.

climate change

Long-term changes in global temperature and weather patterns.

combustion

A chemical reaction that releases energy by burning carbon-based substances.

common ancestry

The idea that different species share a common evolutionary origin.

competition

Organisms fighting for the same limited resources.

correlational evidence

Evidence that shows a relationship between two variables, but not necessarily cause and effect. Example: Higher temperatures correlate with increased plant growth, but other factors may be involved.

cytoplasm

The fluid inside a cell that holds organelles.

decomposer

Organism that breaks down dead material and recycles nutrients.

diffusion

Movement of molecules from high to low concentration.

ecological succession

The natural process of change in an ecosystem over time.

ecosystem

A community of living and nonliving things interacting in an environment.

enzyme

Protein that speeds up chemical reactions.

eutrophication

Nutrient pollution that causes overgrowth of algae and depletes oxygen.

evidence

Scientific data used to support or refute a claim.

extinction

When all individuals of a species die out.

fossil record

Physical evidence of organisms from the past.

gene

A segment of DNA that codes for a protein.

genetic engineering

Direct manipulation of an organism's DNA.

genetic variation

Differences in DNA among individuals in a population.

glucose

A sugar that is a major source of energy for cells.

homeostasis

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment.

hormone

Chemical messenger that regulates body activities.

immune response

The body's defense against pathogens.

invasive species

A non-native species that spreads and disrupts an ecosystem.

meiosis

Cell division that produces gametes with half the usual number of chromosomes.

membrane

The boundary that controls what enters and exits a cell.

mitochondria

Organelle that performs cellular respiration to release energy.

mitosis

Cell division that creates two identical cells.

mutation

A change in DNA that may affect an organism's traits.

natural selection

The process by which better-adapted organisms survive and reproduce more.

nucleus

The cell organelle that contains DNA.

nutrient uptake

Absorption of nutrients by cells or organisms.

osmosis

Diffusion of water across a membrane.

photosynthesis

Process plants use to make food using sunlight, CO₂, and water.

pollution

Harmful substances added to the environment.

probability

The likelihood of an event occurring; used in genetics.

protein

Molecule made of amino acids that performs many body functions.

protein structure

The specific shape of a protein that determines its function.

reproduction

The biological process of producing offspring.

respiratory system

Takes in oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the body.

sexual reproduction

Reproduction involving the combination of genetic material from two parents.

specialized cells

Cells that have a specific function within an organism.

stimuli

Changes in the environment that cause a response in an organism.

structural protein

Proteins that provide support and shape to cells and tissues.

system

A group of parts that work together to perform a function.

trait

A characteristic determined by genes.

transcribed

The process where DNA is copied into RNA.

translated

The process where RNA is used to build a protein.

trophic level

A position in a food chain based on how energy is obtained.

urbanization

The growth of cities, often affecting ecosystems.

vacuole

Organelle that stores materials like water and nutrients.

variation

Differences among individuals of a species.

water delivery

Movement of water within organisms or ecosystems.