mitosis
The stage during which the cell's nucleus divides into two new nuclei: it involves four phases
meiosis
The process of cell division in which the number of chromosomes is reduced by half to form sex cells (sperm and eggs)
cell theory
The widely accepted explanation of the relationship between cells and living things: Involves 3 statements/parts
cell wall
The rigid layer of nonliving material that surrounds the cells of PLANTS and some unicellular organisms: it provides support and protection
cell membrane
The outside boundary of the cell that controls what substances enter and leave the cell: found in both plant and animal cells
cytoplasm
The jelly-like or jello-like substance within the cell which holds the organelles in place
nucleus
The control center or "brain" of the cell: it directs all cellular activities
vacuole
Stores water, food, waste products, and other materials for the cell: It is much larger in the plant cell.
mitochondria
Breaks down food molecules to release energy for the cell: often called the "powerhouse" of the cell
endoplasmic reticulum
(smooth)
A network of passageways that carries materials from one part of the cell to another: Also functions in the production of lipids for the cell
endoplasmic reticulum
(rough)
A network of passageways that carries materials from one part of the cell to another: Had ribosomes embedded or attached to it
chloroplast
A structure in PLANT cells that captures energy from sunlight and uses it to produce food (glucose) during the process of photosynthesis
lysosomes
Small organelles in ANIMAL cells that break down food particles and worn-out cell parts and rids the cell of foreign invaders: known as the "clean-up crew
golgi bodies (apparatus)
Receives materials from the endoplasmic reticulum and sends them to other parts of the cell; also releases materials outside the cell
ribosomes
Small organelles that produce proteins: Ribosomes may be found in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
cell cycle
The regular sequence of growth and division the cells undergo
interphase
The first stage of the cell cycle that takes place before division occurs: During this stage the cell grows to its mature size and makes a copy of its DNA
cytokinesis
The final stage of the cell cycle, in which the cell's cytoplasm divides producing two new cells.
cell plate
A structure that forms across the middle of PLANT cells during cytokinesis: It gradually develops into new cell membranes
unicellular organism
an organism made of a single cell
multicellular organism
A living organism made up of many cells
(Ex. Fungi, plants, and animals)
waste removal
The process living organisms use to remove excess and/or potentially harmful materials from their cells and bodies
irritability
The process living organisms use to respond to stimuli
reproduction
Process by which cells and other organisms produce other cells and organisms of the same kind
diffusion
Process where molecules move from higher to lower concentration. Main method by which small molecules move across the cell membrane
osmosis
The diffusion of water across a cell membrane
passive transport
Cellular transport that does not require the use of cellular energy. Two examples are diffusion and osmosis
active transport
Cellular transport that requires the use of cellular energy and transport proteins
(Ex. Endocytosis & Exocytosis)
photosynthesis
The process in which some organisms use water along with sunlight and carbon dioxide to make their own food.
cellular respiration
The process by which cells break down simple food molecules to release the energy they contain.
cells
The basic units of structure and function in living things
tissues
Similar cells that work together to carry out a particular function/job
organs
Groups of tissues that work together to carry out a particular function/job
organ system
Groups of organs that work together to carry out a particular function/job
organism
A living thing
homeostasis
The maintenance of a stable internal environment
stimulus
Anything that affects the activity or behavior of an organism (change in the environment)
response
The reaction to a stimulus
sexual reproduction
Two parents produce offspring that share characteristics of both parents
asexual reproduction
One parent produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent
light, water, gases (co2), nutrients
Basic needs of plants
food, water, gases (o2), shelter, space
Basic needs of animals
classification groups/levels
Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
mnemonic for classification levels
King Phillip Came Over For Grape Soda
species
group of similar-looking organisms that can produce fertile offspring
binomial nomenclature
two-word scientific name: includes Genus and species (EX. Homo sapiens)
six kingdoms of classification
animal, plant, fungi, protist, eubacteria, archaebacteria
animal phyla
cnidarians, mollusks, annelids, arthropods, echinoderms, chordates
important plant groups
mosses, ferns, conifers, flowering plants
chlorophyll
The chemical in chloroplasts that traps light energy
photosynthesis
Process in plants that transforms light energy into chemical energy: organisms use water along with sunlight and carbon dioxide to make their own food.
carbon dioxide & water
Two raw materials needed for photosynthesis
glucose sugar & oxygen
Two products created during photosynthesis
chloroplasts
Plant organelle is mainly involved in photosynthesis
producers
organisms that produce glucose using energy from the sun and they form the base of the energy pyramid
sunlight
Supplies the energy plants need to carry out photosynthesis
leaf
Plant organ involved in photosynthesis
cellular respiration
The process by which cells break down simple food molecules to release the energy they contain
glucose sugar & oxygen
Raw materials needed for cellular respiration
carbon dioxide & water
Products created during cellular respiration
mitochondria
Organelle involved in cellular respiration
ecosystem
The community of organisms that live in a particular area along with their nonliving (abiotic) surroundings
producer
An organism that carries out photosynthesis to make its own food (AUTOTROPH)
(EX. Plants and some unicellular organisms)
consumer
An organism that eats other organisms (HETEROTROPHS) (EX. Animals)
decomposer
Special consumers that break down waste and dead organisms and return the raw materials to environment
(EX. Bacteria and Fungi)
food chain
A series of events in which one organism eats another organism to obtain energy
food web
An illustration showing the overlapping food chains in an ecosystem
energy pyramid
The triangle that shows the decreasing energy available at each trophic (feeding) level of a food web/chain
producer,
1st-order consumer,
2nd-order consumer, 3rd-order consumer
Trophic/Feeding levels in an ecosystem
herbivore
Consumers that eat producers (plants)
(Ex. Cows, squirrels)
carnivore
Consumers that eat only meat (other animals)
(Ex. Snakes, wolves)
omnivore
Consumers that eat both plants and meat/other animals
(Ex. Raccoons)
scavenger
Consumers that feed on the bodies of dead organisms
(Ex. Vultures, buzzards)
carbon cycle
The recycling of a key element in all living things from air and water to plants, to animals, and back to the air and water
nitrogen cycle
The recycling of an essential plant nutrient to animals, and eventually through decomposers back to soil
water cycle
The continuous process by which water moves from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back
terrestrial ecosystem
A land ecosystem (forest, desert, etc)
marine ecosystem
An ocean (saltwater) ecosystem
freshwater ecosystem
A river, lake, stream, or pond (not ocean) ecosystems
population
All the organisms of the same species that live in an area at the same time
community
Populations living together in one ecosystem
cooperation & competition
How members of a population interact
cooperation=working together
competition=working against one another
symbiotic relationship
A relationship of different organisms that live & work together
mutualism, commensalism, parasitism
3 types of symbiotic relationships
mutualism
A symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benfit
commensalism
A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is unaffected
parasitism
A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is harmed
niche
An organism's specific role in its community
predator-prey
The relationship between a consumer who hunts another consumer for food
social hierarchy
Organization of position or power in an animal community
territorial imperative
The geographic area occupied by a single animal, mating pair or group
limiting factors
An environmental factor that prevents a population from increasing
carrying capacity
The largest population that an area can support
ecosystem
The organisms in a specific area and their physical environment
biome
A large region characterized by their climates and their communities
climate
The typical weather pattern in an area over a long period of time: involves two components-temperature and rainfall
biotic factors
The living factors of an environment
abiotic factors
The nonliving factors of an environment
adaptations
The structures and behaviors that enable organisms to survive in their ecosystems
tundra
A biome with cold climate, short growing season, ground frozen all year
desert
A biome with extremely dry climate; hot days, cold nights
grassland
A biome with big open spaces, few trees, good fertile soil
rainforest
A biome with most rain, very wet, lush, huge diversity of plants & animals, soil is thin and poor
deciduous forest
A biome with four seasons; animals and plants adapt to seasons
coniferous forest (taiga)
A cold forest biome; evergreens flourish but too cold for diverse plant-life
phototropism
A plant's response to light by growing toward it or away from it
hibernation
An animal's response to cold with a period of lowered metabolism
dormancy
Plants response to adverse winter weather- lowered metabolism
eutrophication
The addition of excess nutrients
catastrophic
Something that brings on a sudden great disaster
ecosystem
Organisms in a specific area and their physical environment
community
Populations living together in one ecosystem
population
All the organisms of the same species that live in an area at the same time
organism
A living thing
migration
Animals respond to weather changes by moving to another location
estivation
Animals respond to warm temperatures with period of lowered metabolism
habitat
The specific environment that provides the things an organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce
air quality
The extent to which the air is free of pollutants
pollution
The presence of harmful substances in the environment
DNA
Chemical in living things that contains coded instructions that store and pass on genetic information
double helix
Describes the structure of DNA because it looks like a twisted ladder or spiral staircase
chromosomes
Strands of tightly wound DNA
genes
Sections of a chromosome that carry the code for a particular trait
Mendelian genetics
Explains how traits are passed on through generations
allele
Form of a gene for a particular trait
dominant allele
The form of the trait that masks or hides the other form
recessive allele
Form of a trait that is masked or covered up when the dominant form of the trait is present.
genotype
The genetic makeup of an organism
phenotype
The physical trait that shows up as a result of the genotype
Punnet square
A tool used to predict genotype and phenotype of offspring
genetic engineering
Manipulation of the genetic code for medicine, agriculture etc.
inherited
Traits expressed in genes
acquired
Skills acquired through practice and injuries occurring from the environment
sugars, nitrogenous bases, phosphates
The components of DNA
Gregor Mendel
Often considered the "father of genetics" for his study of the inheritance of traits in pea plants
Rosalind Franklin
Discovered that DNA is a strand of molecules in spiral form
Watson and Crick
Came up with the double helix model of DNA
genetics
The scientific study of heredity
heredity
The passing of traits from parents to offspring
mutation
A change in the genetic code
adaptation
Structures, functions, or behaviors that enable a species to survive
natural selection
The survival of those best able to survive is known
extinction
The disappearance of all members of species from Earth: Often happens when a species can't survive environmental changes
evolution
The gradual change in a species over time
fossil record, radiometric dating, genetic information, etc.
Evidence that exists for evolution
fossil
The preserved remains or traces of organisms that lived in the past
fossil record
The millions of fossils that scientists have collected
radiometric (radioactive) dating
A technique used to determine the actual age of a fossil on the basis of the amount of a radioactive element it contains
relative dating
A technique used to determine which of two fossils is older