bio terms to know
1.
Fitness
An organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
2.
Prokaryote
A cell that lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles (e.g., bacteria).
3.
Eukaryote
A cell that has a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles (plants, animals, fungi, protists).
4.
Bacteria
Single-celled prokaryotic organisms with cell walls containing peptidoglycan.
5.
Archaea
Single-celled prokaryotes genetically distinct from bacteria; often live in extreme environments.
6.
Eukarya
The domain of life that includes all eukaryotic organisms.
7.
LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor)
The most recent common ancestor of all living organisms on Earth.
8.
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
The flow of genetic information: DNA → RNA → Protein.
9.
Nucleotide
The building block of DNA and RNA; made of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.
10.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
The molecule that stores genetic information in cells.
11.
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
A molecule that helps carry out instructions from DNA to make proteins.
12.
Protein
A molecule made of amino acids that performs structural, functional, and enzymatic roles in cells.
13.
Genetic Code
The set of rules by which DNA/RNA sequences are translated into proteins.
14.
Chromosome
A long DNA molecule wrapped around proteins that carries genes.
15.
Homologous Chromosomes
A pair of chromosomes (one from each parent) that carry the same genes at the same loci.
16.
Sister Chromatids
Identical copies of a chromosome joined together after DNA replication.
17.
Centromere
The region of a chromosome where sister chromatids are attached.
18.
Regression
A statistical method used to model the relationship between variables.
19.
Correlation
A measure of how strongly two variables are related.
20.
Standard Deviation
A measure of how spread out data values are from the mean.
21.
Standard Error
An estimate of how much the sample mean varies from the true population mean.
22.
p value
The probability that observed results occurred by chance if the null hypothesis is true.
23.
Keeling Curve
A graph showing the steady rise of atmospheric CO₂ over time.
24.
Troposphere
The lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere where weather occurs.
25.
Stratosphere
The atmospheric layer above the troposphere; contains the ozone layer.
26.
Phenotype
The observable traits of an organism (physical or biochemical).
27.
Ploidy
The number of sets of chromosomes in a cell.
28.
Haploid (n)
A cell with one set of chromosomes (e.g., gametes).
29.
Diploid (2n)
A cell with two sets of chromosomes (most body cells).
30.
Polyploid
A cell with more than two sets of chromosomes.
31.
Genome
The complete set of an organism’s DNA.
32.
Gene
A segment of DNA that codes for a functional product (usually a protein).
33.
Gene Loci
The specific location of a gene on a chromosome.
34.
Allele
A different version of a gene.
35.
Genotype
The genetic makeup (allele combination) of an organism.
36.
Homozygous
Having two identical alleles for a gene.
37.
Heterozygous
Having two different alleles for a gene.
38.
Discrete Trait
A trait that has clearly defined categories (e.g., purple or white flowers).
39.
Complete Dominance
When one allele completely masks the effect of another.
40.
Incomplete Dominance
When heterozygotes show a blended phenotype.
41.
Codominance
When both alleles are fully expressed in the heterozygote.
42.
Genetic Pure Line
A population that is homozygous for a trait and consistently produces the same phenotype.
43.
Genetic Hybrid
An organism produced by crossing two genetically different individuals.