Unique type of organism. Of sexual reproducers, often defined as one or more groups of individuals that can potentially interbreed, produce fertile offspring, and do not interbreed with other groups. Designated by genus name and specific epithet.
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**Biology**
The scientific study of life
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Atom
Smallest unit of matter. Consists of varying numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
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Molecule
Two or more atoms joined by chemical bonds.
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Cell
\ Smallest unit of life. All start out life with a plasma membrane, cytosol, and DNA.
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Tissue
In multicelled organisms, collection of specialized cells organized in a way that allows them to perform a collective function.
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Organ
In multicelled organisms, a structure that consists of tissues engaged in a collective task.
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Organ System
In multicelled organisms, a set of interacting organs and tissues that carry out one or more body functions.
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Organism
Individual that consists of one or more cells
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Population
A group of organisms of the same species who live in a specific location and breed with one another more often than they breed with members of other populations.
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Community
All populations of all species in a defined area
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Ecosystem
A community interacting with its environment
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Biosphere
All regions of Earth where organisms live
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Nutrient
A substance that an organism must acquire from the environment to support growth and survival
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Producer
Autotroph. Organism that makes its own food using energy and nonbiological raw materials from the environment.
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Photosynthesis
Metabolic pathway by which most autotrophs use light energy to make sugars from carbon dioxide and water.
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Consumer
Heterotroph. Organism that acquires carbon by feeding on the tissues, wastes, or remains of other organisms; most also acquire energy the same way.
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Homeostasis
Process in which cells and multicelled organisms keeps their internal conditions within tolerable ranges by sensing and responding appropriately to change.
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DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid. Double-stranded nucleic acid that consists of deoxyribose-containing nucleotides. Carries hereditary information.
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Growth
Increases in the number, size, and volume of cells.
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Reproduction
Processes by which organisms produce offspring. *See* sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction.
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Development
In multicelled species, the process by which the first cell of a new individual gives rise to an adult.
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Inheritance
Transmission of DNA to offspring.
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Bacteria
Singular, bacterium. The largest, most diverse and well-known group of prokaryotes (organisms that lack a nucleus); branched off from the lineage leading to archaea and eukaryotes early in the history of life.
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archaea
Singular, archaeon. Group of prokary-otes that are more closely related to eukaryotes than to bacteria.
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prokaryotes
Informal name for single-celled organisms with no nucleus (bacteria and archaea).
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eukaryotes
Organisms whose cells characteristically have a nucleus (protists, fungi, plants, and animals).
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Protist
General term for eukaryote that is not a fungus, plant, or animal.
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Fungi
Plural, fungi. Single-celled or multicelled eukaryotic consumer that breaks down material outside itself, then absorbs nutrients released from the breakdown.
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Plants
A multicelled eukaryotic producer; most are photosynthetic and live on land. Develops from an embryo that forms on the parent and is nourished by it.
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Animals
A multicelled eukaryotic consumer that is made up of unwalled cells and develops through a series of stages. Most ingest food, reproduce sexually, and can move from place to place.
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Genus
Plural, genera. A group of species that share a unique set of traits. First part of a species name.
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Taxonomy
Practice of naming, describing, and classifying species.
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Traits
An inherited characteristic of an organism or species.
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taxon
Plural, taxa. A rank in the classification of life; consists of a group of organisms that share a unique set of traits. E.g., domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.
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Critical Thinking
The act of evaluating information before accepting it.
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science
Systematic study of the observable world.
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hypothesis
Testable explanation for a natural phenomenon.
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prediction
Statement, based on a hypothesis, about a condition that should reasonably occur if the hypothesis is correct.
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experiment
**Procedure designed to evaluate a prediction; typically yields data.**
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data
Factual information collected from experiments or observations of the natural world.
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variable
In an experiment, a characteristic or event that differs among individuals or over time.
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model
Analogous system in an experiment; tested in place of another subject.
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experimental group
In an experiment, a group of individuals who have a certain characteristic or receive a certain treatment. Tested side by side with a control group.
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control group
In an experiment, a group of individuals identical to an experimental group except for the variable under investigation.
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scientific method
Making hypotheses, evaluating predictions that flow from them, and forming conclusions based on the resulting data.
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Sampling error
Difference between results obtained from a subset, and results obtained from the whole.
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Probability
Out of all possible outcomes of an event, the chance that a particular outcome will occur.
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statistically significant
Refers to a result that is statistically very unlikely to have occurred by chance alone.
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scientific theory
A hypothesis that stands after many years of systematic testing, is consistent with existing evidence, and is useful for making predictions about a wide range of phenomena.
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law of nature
Generalization describing a consistent natural phenomenon that has an incomplete scientific explanation.
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pseudoscience
Claims, arguments, or methods that are presented as science, but do not follow scientific principles.
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plasma membrane
Membrane that encloses a cell and separates it from the external environment.
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cytosol
Jellylike mixture of water and solutes enclosed by a cell’s plasma membrane.
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Organelles
Structure that carries out a specialized function inside a cell; e.g., a nucleus, mitochondrion, or ribosome.
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Ribosomes
Organelle of protein synthesis. An intact ribosome has two subunits, each composed of rRNA and proteins.
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cytoplasm
In a eukaryotic cell, collective term for everything between the cell’s plasma membrane and its nucleus. In a prokaryotic cell, everything enclosed by the plasma membrane.
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surface-to-volume ratio
A relationship in which the volume of an object increases with the cube of the diameter, and the surface area increases with the square. Limits cell size.
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cell theory
Theory that all organisms consist of one or more cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; all cells come from division of preexisting cells; and all cells pass hereditary material (DNA) to offspring.
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fluid mosaic
Model of a cell membrane as a two-dimensional fluid of mixed composition.
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adhesion proteins
Plasma membrane protein that helps cells stick together in animal tissues. Some types form adhering junctions and tight junctions.
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receptor proteins
Membrane protein that triggers a change in cell activity in response to a stimulus such as a hormone binding to it.
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transport proteins
Membrane protein that passively or actively helps specific ions or molecules move across the membrane.
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cell wall
Rigid, permeable layer of extracellular matrix that surrounds the plasma membrane of some cells.
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pili
Plural, pili. Protein filament that projects from the surface of some prokaryotic cells.
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Flagella
Plural, flagella. Long, slender cellular structure used for movement.
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biofilm
Community of microorganisms living within a shared mass of secreted slime.
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nuclear envelope
A double membrane that constitutes the outer boundary of the nucleus. Nuclear pores in the membrane control the entry and exit of large molecules.
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mitochondria
Double-membraned organelle that produces ATP by aerobic respiration in eukaryotes.
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chloroplasts
Organelle of photosynthesis in the cells of plants and photosynthetic protists. Outer membranes enclose stroma and a highly folded thylakoid membrane.
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Vesicles
Saclike organelle that stores, transports, or breaks down its contents.
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lysosomes
Enzyme-filled vesicle that breaks down particles such as cellular debris.
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Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
Membrane-enclosed organelle that consists of a continuous system of sacs and tubes extending from the nuclear envelope. Rough ER makes and modifies proteins; smooth ER makes phospholipids, stores calcium, and has additional functions in some cells.
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Golgi body
Organelle that modifies polypeptides and lipids, then sorts and packages the finished products into vesicles. Also called Golgi apparatus.
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cytoskeleton
Network of protein filaments that support, organize, and move eukaryotic cells and their internal structures. *See* microtubule, microfila-ment, intermediate filament.
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microtubules
Cytoskeletal element of eukaryotes that forms a dynamic scaffolding for many cellular processes involving movement. Hollow filament of tubulin subunits.
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microfilaments
Cytoskeletal element of eukaryotes that reinforces cell membranes and functions in cell movement. Fiber of actin subunits.
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Intermediate filaments
Stable cytoskeletal element that structurally supports cells and tissues of animals and some protists. Different types are assembled from different fibrous proteins.
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Motor proteins
Type of energy-using protein that interacts with cytoskeletal elements to move the cell’s parts or the whole cell.
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cilia
Singular, cilium. Short, hairlike motile structures that project from the plasma membrane of some eukaryotic cells.
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pseudopods
A temporary protrusion from a eukaryotic cell that helps it move or engulf prey.
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Extracellular matrix (ECM)
Complex mixture of substances secreted by a cell onto its surface; composition and function vary by cell type
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cuticle
Secreted covering at a body surface.
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Cell junctions
Molecular assembly that connects a cell to another cell or to extracellular matrix; e.g., tight junction, adhering junction, or gap junction (of animals).
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autotrophs
Producer. Organism that makes its own food using energy from the environment and carbon from CO2.
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Heterotrophs
Consumer. Organism that obtains carbon from organic compounds assembled by other organisms.
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thylakoid membrane.
Inner membrane system of chloroplasts and cyanobacteria; site of light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
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stroma
Cytosol-like fluid between the thylakoid membrane and the two outer membranes of a chlo-roplast.
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stomata
Singular, stoma. Closable gaps formed by pairs of guard cells on aboveground plant surfaces. When open, they allow the plant to exchange gases with air. When closed, they limit water loss.
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wavelength
Distance between the crests of two successive waves.
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Pigments
Organic molecule that can absorb light of certain wavelengths. Wavelengths that are not absorbed impart a characteristic color.
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**chlorophyll** ***a***
Main photosynthetic pigment in eukaryotes and cyanobacteria.
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electron transfer phosphorylation
Process by which electron flow through electron transfer chains sets up a hydrogen ion gradient that drives ATP formation.
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Calvin–Benson cycle
Cyclic carbon-fixing pathway that forms sugars from CO2; light-independent reactions of photosynthesis.
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carbon fixation
Process in which carbon from an inorganic source such as carbon dioxide becomes incorporated (fixed) into an organic molecule.
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rubisco
Carbon-fixing enzyme of the Calvin-Benson cycle.
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Cellular respiration
Any of several pathways that break down organic molecules (typically glucose) to form ATP and include an electron transfer chain.
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aerobic
Involving or requiring the presence of oxygen.
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aerobic respiration
Oxygen-requiring cellular respiration. Includes glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and electron transfer phosphorylation.
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anaerobic
Occurring in (or requiring) the absence of oxygen.