Living systems Unit 2 Voc

Elements

Basic substances that cannot be broken down into simpler materials (examples: hydrogen, oxygen).

Hydrogen

The lightest element; part of water (H₂O) and most living things.

Sulfur

A yellow element used by some organisms in proteins and certain chemical processes.

Biochemical cycles

Natural cycles that move chemicals (like carbon, nitrogen, or water) through living and nonliving parts of Earth.

Water cycle

The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Ecosystem

A community of living things interacting with their environment.

Organism

Any living thing, such as an animal, plant, or bacterium.

Cell

The smallest unit of life that can carry out all life processes.

Macromolecule

A very large molecule, like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, or nucleic acids.

Monomer

A small molecule that can join with others to form a macromolecule (polymer).

Polar

Molecules that have slightly charged ends because electrons are not shared evenly (example: water).

Nonpolar

Molecules that share electrons evenly and do not have charged ends (example: oils).

Dehydration synthesis

A process that joins molecules together by removing a molecule of water.

Hydrolysis

A process that breaks molecules apart by adding water.

Enzyme

A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living things.

Denatured

When an enzyme or protein changes shape and stops working (often from heat or pH changes).

Inhibited

When an enzyme's activity is slowed or stopped by another molecule.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that get their energy by eating other living things (example: animals).

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food (example: plants through photosynthesis).

Vitamins

Small organic molecules needed by organisms to help enzymes work properly.

Minerals

Inorganic nutrients (like iron or calcium) that help with body functions and structure.

Abiotic

Nonliving parts of an environment (like sunlight, water, or temperature).

Biotic

Living or once

Cofactors

Non

Coenzymes

Small organic molecules (often vitamins) that assist enzymes during reactions.

Enriched

When nutrients or minerals are added back to food that lost them during processing.

Water

A polar molecule (H₂O) essential for life; acts as a solvent and helps regulate temperature.

Light dependent

The first stage of photosynthesis that uses sunlight to make energy (ATP and NADPH).

Light Speed Reactions

Likely meant 'Light Independent Reactions' (Calvin Cycle)

Photosynthesis

The process where plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make glucose (sugar) and oxygen.

Chemosynthesis

The process where certain organisms make food using chemical energy instead of sunlight.

Prokaryotes

Simple cells without a nucleus (example: bacteria).

Eukaryotes

Complex cells that have a nucleus and organelles (example: plants, animals, fungi).

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The main energy

Cellular respiration

The process cells use to break down glucose and release energy (ATP).

Aerobic

Processes that require oxygen (example: aerobic respiration).

Anaerobic respiration

Processes that happen without oxygen (example: fermentation).

Metabolic processes

All the chemical reactions that happen in a cell to keep it alive and working.