definitions

Definitions

• Amino Acid: Organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

• Allele: Different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.

• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): Molecule that carries genetic information.

• Chromosome: Structure made of DNA and proteins that contains genes.

• Cell: Basic unit of life that makes up all living organisms.

• Proteins: Large molecules made up of amino acids, essential for various biological functions.

• Nucleus: Membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains DNA.

• Gene: Segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein or trait.

• Variation: Differences in traits among individuals in a population.

• Dominant: An allele that expresses its trait even in the presence of a recessive allele.

• Recessive: An allele that expresses its trait only when two copies are present.

Inheritance is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming (OOP) that allows a class (child or subclass) to inherit properties and methods from another class (parent or su

Definitions

• Homozygous: An organism with two identical alleles for a specific gene (e.g., AA or aa).

• Heterozygous: An organism with two different alleles for a specific gene (e.g., Aa).

• Polymers: Large molecules composed of repeating structural units (monomers), often found in biological systems (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids).

• Genotype: The genetic constitution of an organism, representing the alleles inherited from parents.

• Phenotype: The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by the genotype and environmental influences.

  Definitions

  • Monomer: A small, single molecule that can join together with other monomers to form a polymer.

  • Polymer: A large molecule made up of repeating structural units (monomers) connected by covalent bonds.

  • Polymerization: The chemical process in which monomers combine to form a polymer.

  • Genetic Variant: A variation in the DNA sequence among individuals, which can lead to differences in traits or characteristics.

DNA is primarily found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, where it is organized into chromosomes. In prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, DNA is located in the cytoplasm, often in a single circular chromosome. Additionally, some organelles, like mitochondria and chloroplasts, contain their own DNA, which is involved in energy production and photosynthesis, respectively.its unique structure of two intertwined strands forming a double helix

bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). These bases pair specifically—(A)-(T) (C)-(G)

Additional Key Terms for Year Nine Biology

• Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the use of chlorophyll, converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

• Cell Membrane: A semi-permeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell, controlling the movement of substances in and out of the cell.

• Mitochondria: Organelles known as the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration.

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

• Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

• Organism: Any individual living thing, which can be unicellular or multicellular.

• Biodiversity: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

• Natural Selection: The process through which populations adapt to their environment as traits become more or less common over generations based on reproductive success.

• Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to variations in traits among individuals.

• Adaptation: A characteristic that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.

• Homeostasis: The process by which living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain stable, constant conditions.

• Biotic Factors: Living components of an ecosystem that affect the population of another organism.

• Abiotic Factors: Non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

More Key Terms for Year Nine Biology

• Cellular Respiration: The metabolic process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.

• Enzyme: Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body by lowering the activation energy required.

• Substrate: The reactant on which an enzyme works during a biochemical reaction.

• Chromatin: A complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes in the nucleus; it exists in a less condensed form during interphase.

• Stem Cell: Undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into many different cell types.

• Selective Breeding: The process of breeding organisms for specific traits, creating genetically modified plants and animals.

• Stimulus: A detectable change in the environment that can provoke a response from an organism.

• Response: The reaction of an organism to a stimulus, which can be behavioral or physiological.

• Nitrogen Cycle: The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and are used by living organisms.

• Food Chain: A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

• Habitat: The natural home or environment of an organism, providing food, shelter, and mates for reproduction.

• Cellular Respiration: The metabolic process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.

• Enzyme: Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body by lowering the activation energy required.

• Substrate: The reactant on which an enzyme works during a biochemical reaction.

• Chromatin: A complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes in the nucleus; it exists in a less condensed form during interphase.

• Stem Cell: Undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into many different cell types.

• Selective Breeding: The process of breeding organisms for specific traits, creating genetically modified plants and animals.

• Stimulus: A detectable change in the environment that can provoke a response from an organism.

• Response: The reaction of an organism to a stimulus, which can be behavioral or physiological.

• Nitrogen Cycle: The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and are used by living organisms.

• Food Chain: A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

• Habitat: The natural home or environment of an organism, providing food, shelter, and mates for reproduction.

• Population: A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area at a given time.