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155 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Abiotic factor
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Any of several nonliving, physical conditions that affect the survival of an organism in its environment
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Absorption
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The process by which water and dissolved solids, liquids, and gases are taken in by the cell through the cell membrane.
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Accessory organ
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In human beings, any organ that has a digestive function but is not part of the food tube (see liver; gallbladder; pancreas.)
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Acid
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A chemical that releases by hydrogen ion (H+) in solution with water.
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Acid precipitation
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A phenomenon in which there is thought to be an interaction between atmospheric moisture and the oxides of sulfur and nitrogen that results in rainfall with low pH values.
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Active immunity
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The immunity that develops when the body's immune system is stimulated by a disease organism or a vaccination.
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Active site
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The specific area of an enzyme molecule that links to the substrate molecule and catalyzes its metabolism.
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Active transport
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A process by which materials are absorbed or released by cells against the concentration gradient (from low to high concentration) with the expediture of cell energy.
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Adaptation
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Any structural, biochemical, or behavioral characteristic of an organism that helps it to survive potentially harst environmental conditions.
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Addition
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A type of chromosome mutation in which a section of a chromosome is transferred to a homologous chromosome.
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Adenine
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A nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA molecules.
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Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
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An organic compound that stores respiratory energy in the form of chemical-bond energy for transport from one part of the cell to another.
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Adrenal cortex
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A portion of the adrenal gland that secretes steroid hormones that regulate various aspects of blood composition.
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Adrenal gland
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An endocrine gland that produces several hormones, including adrenaline.
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Adrenal medulla
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A portion of the adrenal gland that secretes the hormone adrenaline, which regulates various aspects of the body's metabolic rate.
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Adrenaline
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A hormone of the adrenal medulla that regulates general metabolic rate, the rates of heartbeat and breathing, and the conversion of glycogen to glucose.
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Aerobic phase of respiration
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The reactions of aerobic respiration in which two pyruvic acid molecules are converted to six molecules of water and six molecules of carbon dioxide.
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Aerobic respiration
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A type of respiration in which energy is released from organic molecules with the aid of oxygen.
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Aging
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A stage of postnatal development that involves differentiation, maturation, and eventual deterioration of the body's tissue.
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Air pollution
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The addition, due to technological oversight, of some unwanted factor (for example, chemical oxides, hydorcarbons, particulates) to our air resources.
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Albinism
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A condition, controlled by a single mutant gene, in which the skin lacks the ability to product skin pigments.
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Alcoholic fermentation
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A type of anaerobic respiration in which glucose is converted to ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide.
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Allantois
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A membrane that serves as a reservoir for wastes and as a respiratory surface for the embryos of many animal species.
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Allele
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One of a pair of genes that exist at the same location on a pair of homologous chromosomes and exert parallel control over the same genetic trait.
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Allergy
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A reaction of the body's immune system to the chemical composition of various substances.
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Alvelous
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On e of many air sacs within the lung that function to absorb atmospheric gases and pass tehm on to the bloodstream.
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Amino acid
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An organic compound that is the component unit of proteins.
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Amino group
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A chemical group having the formula - NH2 that is found as a part of all amino acid molecules.
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Ammonia
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A type of nitrogenous waste with high solubility and high toxicity.
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Amniocentesis
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A technique for detecting genetic disorders in unborn human beings in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is removed and the chromosome content of its cells analyzed.
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Amnion
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A membrane that surrounds the embryo in many animal species and contains a fluid to protect the developing embryo from mechanical shock.
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Amniotic fluid
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The fluid within the amnion membrance that bathes the developing embryo.
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Amylase
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An enzyme specific for the hydrolysis of starch.
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Anaerobic phase of respiration
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The reactions of aerobic respiration in which glucose is converted to two pyruvic acid molecules.
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Anaerobic respiration
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A type of respiration in which energy is released from organic molecules without the aid of oxygen.
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Anal pore
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The egestive organ of the paramecium.
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Anemia
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A disorder of the human transport system in which the ability of the blood to carry oxygen is impaired usually because of reduced numbers of red blood cells.
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Angina pectoris
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A disorder of the human transport system in which chest pain signals potential damage to the heart muscle due to narrowing of the opening of the coronary artery.
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Animal
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One of the five biological kingdoms; it includes multicellular organisms whose cells are not bounded by cell walls and that are incapable of photosynthesis (for example, human beings).
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Annelida
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A phylum of the animal kingdom whose members (annelids) include the segmented worms (for example, earthworm).
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Antenna
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A receptor organ found in many arthropods (for example, grasshopper), which is specialized for detecting chemical stimuli.
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Anther
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The portion of the stamen that produces pollen.
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Antibody
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A chemical substance, usually a protein, recognized by the immune system as a foreign invaded and that is neutralized by a specific antibody.
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Antigen
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A chemical substance, usually a protein, recognized by the immune system as a foreign invader and that is neutralized by a specific antibody.
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Anus
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The organ of egestion of the digestive tract.
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Aorta
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The principal artery carrying blood from the heart to the body tissues.
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Aortic arches
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A specialized part of the earthworm's transport system that serves as a pumping mechanism for the blood fluid.
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Apical meristem
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A plant growth region located at the tip of the root or tip of the stem.
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Appendicitis
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A disorder of the human digestive tract in which the appendix becomes inflamed as a result of bacterial infection.
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Aquatic biome
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An ecological biome composed of many different water environments.
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Artery
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A thick-walled blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart under pressure.
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Arthritis
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A disorder of the human locomotor system in which skeletal joints become inflamed, swollen, and painful.
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Anthropoda
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A phylum of the animal kingdom whose members (anthropods) have bodies with shitinous exoskeletons and jointed appendages (for example, grasshopper).
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Artificial selection
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A technique of plant/animal breeding in which individual organisms displaying desirable characteristics are chosen for breeding purposes.
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Asexual reproduction
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A type of reproduction in which new organism are formed from a single parent organism.
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Asthma
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A disorder of the human respiratory system in which the respiratory tube becomes constricted by swelling brought on by some irritant.
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Atrium
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In human beings, one of the two thin-walled upper chambers of the heart that receive blood.
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Autonomic nervous system
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A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system consisting of nerves associated with automatic functions (for example, heartbeat, breathing).
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Autosome
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One of several chromosomes present in the cell that carry genes controlling "body" traits not associated with primary and secondary sex characteristics.
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Autotroph
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An organims capable of carrying on autotrophic nutrition. Self-feeder.
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Autotrophic nutrition
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A type of nutrition in which organisms manufacture their own organic foods from inorganic raw materials.
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Auxim
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A biochemical substance, a plant hormone, produced by plants that regulates growth patterns.
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Auxon
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An elongated portion of a neuron that conducts nerve impulses, usually away from the cell body of the neuron.
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Base
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A chemical that releases hydroxyl ion (OH-) in soloution with water.
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Bicarbonate ion
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The chemical formed in the blood plasma when carbon dioxice is absorbed from body tissues.
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Bile
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In human beigns, a secretion of the liver that is stored inthe gallbladder and that emulsifies fats.
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Binary fission
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A type of cell division in which mitosis is followed by equal cytoplasmic division.
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Binomial nomenclature
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A system of naming used in biological classification that consists of the genus and species names (for example, Homo sapiens).
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Biocide use
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The us of pesticides that eliminate one undesirable organism but that have, due to technological oversight, unanticipated effects on beneficial species as well.
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Biological controls
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The use of natural enemies of various agricultural pests for pest control, thereby eliminating the need for biocide use - a positive aspect of human involvement with the environment.
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Biomass
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The total mass of living material present at the various trophic levels in a food chain.
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Biome
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A major geographical grouping of similar ecosystems, usually named for the climax flora in the region (for example, Northeast Deciduous Forest).
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Biosphere
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The portion of the earth in which living things exist, including all land and water environments.
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Biotic factor
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Any of several conditions associated with life and living things that affect the survival of living things in the environment.
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Birth
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In placental mammals, a stage of embryonic development in which the baby passes through the vaginal canal to outside of the mother's body.
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Blastula
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In certain animals, a stage of embryonic development in which the embryo resembles a hollow ball of undifferentiated cells.
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Blood
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The complex fluid tissue that functions to transport nutrients and respiratory gases to all parts of the body.
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Blood typing
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An application of the study of immunity in which the blood of a person is characterized by its antigen composition.
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Bone
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A tissue that provides mechanical support and protection for bodily organs and levers for the body's locomotive activities.
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Bowman's capsule
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A cup-shaped portion of the nephron responsible for filtering of soluble blood components.
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Brain
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An organ of the central nervous system responsible for regulating conscious and much unconscious activity in the body.
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Breathing
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A mechanical process by which air is forced into the lung by means of muscular contraction of the disphragm and rib muscles.
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Bronchiole
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One of the several subdivision of the bronchi that penetrate thelung interour and terminate in alvioli.
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Bronchitis
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A disorder of the human respiratory system in which the bronchi become inflamed.
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Bronchus
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One of the two major subdivisions of the breathing tube; the bronchi are ringed with cartilage and conduct air from the trachea to the lung interior.
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Bryophyta
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A phylum of the plant kingdom that consists of organisms lacking vascular tissues (for example, moss).
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Budding
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A type of asexual reproduction in which mitosis is followed by unequal cytoplasmic division.
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Bulb
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A tpe of vegetative propagation in which a plant bulb produces new bulbs that may be established as independent organims with identical characteristics.
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Cambium
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The lateral meristem tissue in woody plants responsible for annual growth in stem diameter.
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Cancer
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Any of a number of conditions characterized by rapid, abnormal,and uncontrolled division of affected cells.
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Capillary
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A very small, thin-walled blood vessel that connects an artery to a vein and through which all absorption into the blood fluid occurs.
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Carbohydrate
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An organic compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio (for example, C6H12O6).
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Carbon-fixation reactions
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A set of bio-chemical reactions in photosynthesis inwhich hydrogen atoms are combined with carbon and oxygen atoms to form PGAL and glucose.
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Carbon 14
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A radioactive isotope of carbon used to trace the movement of carbon in various biochemical reactions, and also used in the carbon dating of fossils.
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Carbon-hydrogen-oxygen cycle
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A process by which these three elements are mde available for use by other organisms through the chemical reation of respiration and photosynthesis.
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Carboxyl group
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A chemcial group having the formula - COOH and found as part of all amino acid and fatty acid molecules.
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Cardiac muscle
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A type of muscle tissue in the heart and arteries associated with the rhythmic nature of the pulse and heartbeat.
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Cardiovascular disease
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In human beings, any disease of the circulary organs.
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Carnivore
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A heterotrophic organism that consumes animal tissue as its primary source of nutrition (see secondary consumer.)
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Carrier
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An individual who, though not expressing a particular recessive trait, carries this gene as part of his/her heterozygous genotype.
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Carrier protein
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A specialized molecule embedded in the cell membrane that aids the movement of materials across the membrane.
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Cartilage
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A flexible connective tissue found in many flexible parts of the body (for example, knee); common in the embryonic stages of development.
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Catalyst
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Any substance that speeds up or slows down the rate of a chemical reaction (see enzyme).
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Cell plate
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A structure that forms during cytoplasmic division in plant cells and serves to separate the cytoplasm into two roughly equal parts.
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Cell theory
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A scientific theory that states, "All cells arise from previously existing cells" and "Cells are the unit of structure and function of living things."
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Cell wall
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A cell organelle that surrounds and gives structural support to plant cells; cellwalls are composed of cellulose.
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Central nervous system
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The portion of the vertebrate nervous system that consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
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Centriole
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A cell organelle found in animal cells that functions in the process of cell division.
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Centromere
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The area of attachment of two chromatids in a double-stranded chromosome.
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Cerebellum
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The portion of the human brain responsible for the coordination of muscular activity.
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Cerebral hemorrhage
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A disorder of the human regulatory system in which a broken blood vessel in the brain may result in sever dysfunction or death.
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Cerebral palsy
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A disorder of the human regulatory system in which the motor and speech centers of the brain are impaired.
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Cerebrum
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The portion of the human brain responsible for thought, reasoning, sense interpretation, learning, and other conscious activities.
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Cervix
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A structure that bounds the lower end of the uterus and through which sperm must pass in order to fertilize the egg.
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Chemical digestion
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The process by which nutrient molecules are converted by chemical means into a form usable by the cells.
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Chemosynthesis
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A type of autotrophic nutrition in which certain bacteria use the energy of chemical oxidation to convert inorganic raw materials to organic food molecules.
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Chitin
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A polysaccharide substance that forms the exoskeleton of the grasshopper and other anthropods.
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Chlorophyll
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A green pigment in plant cells that absorbs sunlight and makes possible certain aspects of the photosynthetic process.
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Chloroplast
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A cell organelle found in plant cells that contains chlorophyll and functions in photosynthesis.
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Chordata
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A phylum of the animal kingdom whose members (chordates) have internal skeletons made of cartilage and/or bone (for example, human being).
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Chorion
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A membrane that surrounds all other embryonic membranes in many animal species, protecting them from mechanical damage.
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Chromatid
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One strand of a double-stranded chromosome.
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Chromosome mutation
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An alteration in the structure of a chromosome involving many genes (see nondisjunction; translocation; addition, deletion.)
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Cilia
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Small, hairlike structures in paramecia and other unicellular organisms that aid in nutrition and locomotions.
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Classification
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A technique by which scientists sort, group, and name organisms for easier study.
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Cleavage
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A series of rapid mitotic divisions that increase cell number in a developing embryo without a corresponding increase in cell size.
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Climax community
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A stable, self-perpetuating community that results from an ecological succession.
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Cloning
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A technique of genetic investigation in which undifferentiated cells of an organism are used to produce new organimsm with the same set of traits as the original cells.
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Closed-transport system
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A type of circulatory system in which the transport fluid is always enclosed within blood vessels (for example, earthworm, human).
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Clot
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A structure that forms as a result of enzyme-controlled reactions following the rupturing of a blood vessel and serves as a plug to prevent blood loss.
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Condominance
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A type of intermediate inheritance that results from the simultaneous expression fo two dominant alleles with contrasting effects.
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Coelenterata
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A phylum of the animal kingdom whose members (coelenterates) have bodies, that resemble a sack (for example, hydra, jellyfish).
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Coenzyme
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A chemical substance or chemical subunit that functions to aid the action of a particular enzyme. (See vitamin.)
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Cohesion
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A force binding water molcules together that aids in the upward conduction of materials in the xylem.
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Commensalism
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A type of symbiosis in which one organism in the relationship benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.
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Common ancestry
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A concept central to the theory of evolution that postulates that all organisms share a common ancestry whose closeness varies with the degree of shared similarity.
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Community
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A level of biological organization that includes all of the species populations inhabiting a particular geographic area.
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Comparative anatomy
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The stude of similarities in the anatomic structures of organisms, and their use as an indicator of common ancestry and as evidence of organic evolution.
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Comparative biochemistry
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The study of similarities in the biochemical makeups of organisms, and their use as an indicator of common ancestry and as evidence of organic evolution.
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Comparative cytology
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The study of similarities in the cell structures of organisms, and their use an an indicator of common ancestry and as evidence of organic evolution.
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Comparative embryology
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The study of similarities in the patterns of embryological development of organisms, and their use as an indicator of common ancestry and as evidence of organic evolution.
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Competition
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A condition that arises when different species in the same habitat attempt to use the same limited resources.
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Complete protein
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A protein that contains all eight essential amino acids.
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Compound
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A substance composed of two or more differentkinds of atom (for example, water; H20).
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Compound light microscope
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A tool of biological study capable of productin a magnified image of a biologial specimen by using a focused beam of light.
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Conditioned behavior
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A type of response that is learned but that beomes automatic with repetition.
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Conservation of resources
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The development and application of practices to protect valuable and irreplaceable soil and mineral resources - a positive aspect of human involvement with the environment.
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Constipation
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A disorder of the human digestive tract in which fecal matter solidifies and becomes difficult to egest.
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Consumer
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Any heterotrophic animal organism (for example, human being).
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Coronary artery
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An artery that branches off the aorta to feed the heart muscle.
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Coronary thrombosis
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A disorder of the human transport system in which the heart muscle becomes damaged as a results of blockage of the coronary artery.
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Coronary thrombosis
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A disorder of the human transport system in which the heart muscle becomes damaged as a result of blockage of the coronary artery.
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Corpus luteum
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A structure resulting from the hormone-controlled transformation of the ovarian follicle that produces the hormone progesterone.
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Corpus luteum stage`
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A stage of the menstrual cycle in which the cells of the follicle are transformed into the corpus luteum under the influence of luteinizing hormone (LH).
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Cotyledon
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A portion of the plant embryo that serves as a source of nutrition for the young plant before photosynethesis begins.
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