Summer Bio Test 1

taxonomy

branch of science concerned with classifying each taxonomic unit at any levels

organelle

a specialized structure inside a cell that performs a specific function, much like an organ does in the human body

hybridization

is the mating or crossing of two genetically different individuals to produce offspring called hybrids

Hooke

developed one of the first microscopes and named the “little rooms” he saw cells

van Leewenhoek

developed one of the first microscopes and was the first to observe bacteria and protozoans

metabolism

the collection of all the chemical reactions in an organism that provide energy and build or break down molecules

homeostatasis

the process by which an organism maintains a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment - similar to regulation

symbiosis

a close relationship between two different species in which at least one organism benefits (i.e. parasite)

micrometer

(µm) is a unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter (10^-6 m)

heredity

the passing of genetic traits from parents to their offspring

emergent property

a characteristic that arises from the interaction of smaller parts but is not present in the individual parts themselves - think smaller parts work together to preform a greater task

Linnaeus

developed the binomial nomenclature system

biome

a large geographic region with a particular climate, plants, and animals that are adapted to that environment

filamentous

an organism or structure that is made up of long, thin, thread-like strands called filaments

taxa/taxon

is a group of organisms that are classified together because they share common characteristics

biosphere

the part of Earth where life exists, including all living organisms and the environments in which they live

stimulus

any change in an organism's internal or external environment that causes a response

petiole

the stalk that attaches a leaf blade to the stem of a plant

peptidoglycan

a strong, mesh-like molecule that forms the cell wall of bacteria, giving the cell its shape and protection

cell theory

states that all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and all cells come from preexisting cells

vascular

plants that have specialized tissues (xylem and phloem) to transport water, minerals, and sugars throughout the organism

nonvascular

plants that DO NOT have specialized tissues (xylem and phloem) to transport water, minerals, and sugars throughout the organism

angiosperm

a flowering plant that produces seeds enclosed within a fruit

gymnosperm

a non-flowering vascular plant that produces "naked" seeds, usually in cones

invertebrate

an animal that does not have a backbone (vertebral column)

cellulose

a complex carbohydrate that makes up the cell walls of plants and provides strength and support

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

the molecule that stores and transmits an organism's genetic information

photosynthesis

process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (food) and oxygen

pathogen

a disease-causing organism or agent

biofilm

a community of microorganisms that stick to a surface and are surrounded by a protective, sticky layer that they produce

sternal gland

a scent gland located on the underside (sternum or chest area) of certain animals that produces pheromones used for communication

flagella/cilia

structures that move a cell or move substances across the cell's surface

speciation

the process by which a new species forms from an existing species