Biology Midterm

Reproduction

The process of producing offspring.

Sexual

Reproduction involving two parents.

Zygote

The offspring produced through sexual reproduction.

Asexual

Reproduction involving only one parent.

Protists

Offspring produced through asexual reproduction.

Characteristics of Life

The defining features of living organisms.

Motile

The ability to move.

Sessile

Unable to move but still alive.

Evolution

The process of gradual change in a species over time.

DNA

The genetic material that carries the instructions for the development and functioning of living organisms.

Adaptability

The ability to survive and thrive in a range of conditions.

Energy and its transfer

The movement and transformation of energy within living organisms.

Nutrient transfer

The transportation of nutrients through blood and arteries in humans.

Cell production

The need for energy and nutrients to produce more cells.

Atoms

The basic building blocks of matter.

Isotopes

Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Protons

Positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons

Neutrally charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles found in the electron shells surrounding the nucleus of an atom.

Nucleus

The central part of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

Atomic Mass

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Chemical Number

The number of electrons in an atom.

Ionic Bond

A bond formed by the transfer of electrons between atoms.

Covalent Bond

A bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.

Law of Conservation of Mass

Matter cannot be created or destroyed, only rearranged.

Ions

Charged particles formed when atoms gain or lose electrons.

Chemistry of Water

The properties and behavior of water molecules.

Covalent Bonds in Water

The sharing of electrons between oxygen and hydrogen atoms in water molecules.

Polar Molecule

A molecule with a positive and negative end.

pH Value

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

Surface Tension

The force that pulls water molecules down and in, creating a thin skin on the surface called the meniscus.

Adhesion

The ability of water to adhere to other substances.

Cohesion

The ability of water molecules to stick together.

Capillary Action

The ability of water to spread, sometimes against gravity.

Organic Compounds

Compounds containing carbon and hydrogen.

Carbohydrates

Biological compounds that break down into sugars.

Lipids

Biological compounds that store energy and provide insulation.

Proteins

Biological compounds that perform various functions in living organisms.

Nucleic Acids

Biological compounds that store and transmit genetic information.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars, the monomers of carbohydrates.

Disaccharides

Double sugars formed by the combination of two monosaccharides.

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates made up of many monosaccharides.

Dehydration Synthesis

The process of joining monomers together by removing water molecules.

Starch

A polysaccharide found in plants, used for energy storage.

Glycogen

A polysaccharide used for energy storage in animals.

Cellulose

An indigestible polysaccharide found in plant cell walls.

Chitin

A polysaccharide that makes up the exoskeletons of insects and the cell walls of fungi.

Fatty Acids

Chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms that make up lipids.

Phospholipids

Lipids that make up cell membranes.

Triglyceride

A lipid composed of three fatty acids and a glycerol molecule.

Hydrophilic

Attracted to water.

Hydrophobic

Repelled by water.

Saturated Fats

Fats that are full of hydrogen atoms.

Polyunsaturated Fats

Fats with fewer hydrogen atoms and more double bonds.

Cholesterol

A lipid that can accumulate in blood vessels and cause congestion and pressure.

Cell Membrane

The phospholipid bilayer that surrounds and protects the cell.