living environment topics 1-3 vocab

• Active Transport: The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane against a concentration gradient, requiring energy (often ATP).

• Amino Acids: Organic compounds that are the building blocks of proteins.

• Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

• Cell Membrane: The semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell, regulating what enters and exits.

• Cell Respiration: The process by which cells convert glucose and other nutrients into usable energy (ATP), often using oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.

• Chloroplast: Organelles found in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.

• Circulation: The movement of blood through the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products.

• Cytoplasm: The gel-like substance inside a cell membrane that contains the cell's organelles.

• Digestion: The process of breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body.

• Diffusion: The movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

• Enzymes: Biological catalysts, typically proteins, that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

• Excretion: The process of eliminating waste products from the body.

• Homeostasis: The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

• Hormone: Chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands and transported in the blood to target tissues and organs.

• Immunity: The ability of an organism to resist infection and disease.

• Inorganic: Substances that do not contain carbon (with some exceptions like carbon dioxide).

• Metabolism: The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within a living organism to maintain life.

• Mitochondria: Organelles within cells that are the site of cellular respiration (ATP production).

• Nucleus: The central organelle of a cell that contains the cell's DNA.

• Organ: A structure composed of different tissues working together to perform a specific function.

• Organ System: A group of organs working together to perform a major bodily function.

• Organelle: A specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function.

• Organic: Substances that contain carbon.

• Receptor Molecule: Proteins on or in cells that bind to specific molecules, triggering a cellular response.

• Reproduction: The process by which organisms produce new offspring.

• Ribosome: Cellular structures that are the site of protein synthesis.

• Simple Sugars: Monosaccharides, like glucose, that are the basic building blocks of carbohydrates.

• Synthesis: The process of combining smaller molecules to form larger, more complex molecules.

• Tissue: A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function.

• Vacuole: A membrane-bound sac within a cell that stores water, food, or other materials.

TOPIC 2

• AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome): A chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which damages the immune system.  

• Allergy: A reaction by the body's immune system to a normally harmless substance (allergen).

• Antibodies: Proteins produced by the immune system that recognize and neutralize specific antigens.

• Antigen: A substance that triggers an immune response.

• ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate): The primary energy carrier in cells.

• Bacteria: Single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms.

• Biochemical Processes: Chemical processes that occur within living organisms.

• Catalyst: A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed itself (enzymes are biological catalysts).

• Cellular Respiration: The process by which cells convert glucose and other nutrients into usable energy (ATP).

• Chloroplast: Organelles found in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.

• Disease: Any condition that impairs the normal functioning of an organism.

• Dynamic Equilibrium: A state of balance in a system where opposing forces or processes are occurring at equal rates.

• Enzyme: A biological catalyst, typically a protein, that speeds up chemical reactions.

• Feedback Mechanism: A system that regulates itself by responding to changes in the environment.

• Fungi: Eukaryotic organisms that include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms, often acting as decomposers.

• Gas Exchange: The process of exchanging gases between an organism and its environment (e.g., oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs).

• Glucose: A simple sugar (monosaccharide) that is a major source of energy for cells.

• Guard Cells: Specialized cells in plant leaves that regulate the opening and closing of stomata (pores) for gas exchange.

• Homeostasis: The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment.

• Immune System: A complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that defends the body against pathogens.

• Insulin: A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels.

• Mechanism: The way in which something works or is done.

• Microbe: A microorganism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus.

• Mitochondria: Organelles within cells that are the site of cellular respiration (ATP production).

• Pancreas: An organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin and glucagon.

• Parasite: An organism that lives on or in another organism (the host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense.

• Pathogen: A microorganism that can cause disease.

• pH: A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

• Photosynthesis: The process by which plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.  

• Respiration: The process of breathing and gas exchange in the body. (Also see "Cellular Respiration" in Topic 1)

• Stimuli: Changes in the environment that can be detected by an organism.

• Synthesis: The process of combining smaller molecules to form larger, more complex molecules.

• Vaccine: A substance that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies, providing immunity to a specific disease.

• Virus: A tiny, nonliving particle that infects cells and replicates inside them.

TOPIC 3

• Asexual Reproduction: Reproduction that involves only one parent and produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent (clones).

• Biotechnology: The use of living organisms or their products to develop useful products or processes.

• Bond: A chemical link between atoms in a molecule.

• Chromosome: A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein that carries genetic information in the form of genes.

• Clone: An organism that is genetically identical to another organism.

• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The molecule that carries genetic information in cells.

• Egg: The female reproductive cell (gamete).

• Expressed: When a gene is actively being transcribed and translated into a protein.

• Genes: Segments of DNA that code for specific traits.

• Genetic Engineering: The deliberate modification of an organism's genes using biotechnology techniques.

• Genetic Recombination: The process of combining genetic material from different sources, leading to genetic variation.

• Heredity: The passing of traits from parents to offspring.

• Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence.

• Replicate: To make a copy of something, such as DNA.

• Selective Breeding: The process of selecting organisms with desired traits to breed in order to enhance those traits in offspring.

• Sexual Reproduction: Reproduction that involves the combination of genetic material from two parents, producing offspring that are genetically different from both parents.

• Sperm: The male reproductive cell (gamete).

• Subunit: A smaller component that makes up a larger molecule or structure.

• Template: A molecule that serves as a pattern for the synthesis of another molecule.

• Traits: Characteristics or features of an organism that are inherited.