Biology Terminology and Definitions Quiz

Biology Terminology and Definitions

• Adaptation: Inherited trait that enhances an organism’s survival chances in its environment.
• ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate): Primary energy source utilized by cells for various biochemical tasks.
• Bacteria: Unicellular prokaryotic organisms that lack membrane-bound nuclei.
• Carbon: Essential nonmetallic element found in all organic compounds; vital for life.
• Carrying Capacity: Maximum population size that an environment can sustain over time.
• Carbohydrate: Biomolecule consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, with a specific hydrogen-oxygen ratio.
• Catalyst: Substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without undergoing permanent changes.
• Cell Division: Process resulting in the formation of two daughter cells from a single parent cell.
• Cell Membrane: Semipermeable barrier surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell.
• Cell Nucleus: Organelle containing genetic material (DNA and RNA), central to growth and reproduction.
• Cellular Differentiation: Specialization of a cell to perform specific functions, essential for multicellular organisms.
• Cellular Respiration: Metabolic pathways through which cells extract energy from organic molecules.
• Chromosome: Thread-like structures within the nucleus composed of DNA, carrying genetic information.
• Chloroplast: Organelles in plant cells containing chlorophyll, crucial for photosynthesis.
• Chemical Bond: Attractive forces linking atoms together in molecular structures.
• Consumer: Organism that derives nourishment by consuming other organisms or organic materials.
• Covalent Bond: Chemical bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
• Diffusion: Process where molecules spread from areas of high concentration to low concentration.
• Diploid: Organisms or cells with two sets of chromosomes, typical of most somatic cells.
• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): DNA is a double-helical polymer responsible for hereditary information storage and transmission.
• Dominant Trait: Trait that is expressed in a phenotype when at least one dominant allele is present.
• Double Helix: Structure of DNA, comprising two intertwined helices.
• Enzyme: Proteins that act as biological catalysts, facilitating biochemical reactions.
• Eukaryote: Organism with cells that possess a nucleus and organelles, unlike prokaryotes.
• Gene: Segment of DNA that encodes a functional product, often a protein.
• Genetic Mutation: Permanent alteration in DNA sequence that affects genetic information.
• Genetic Variation: Diversity in allele frequencies within a population, a result of genetic mutations.
• High Energy Bonds: Bonds found between phosphate groups in ATP, releasing energy upon hydrolysis.
• Homeostasis: Active process maintaining internal stability in organisms despite external changes.
• Human Genetics: Examination of inheritance patterns and phenotypic traits in humans.
• Hydrolysis: Chemical reaction where water is used to break down compounds.
• Karyotype: Arrangement of chromosomes in pairs, used for genetic analysis.
• Lipid: Oily biomolecules that are hydrophobic and play roles in energy storage and cell membrane structure.
• Meiosis: Specialized cell division producing haploid reproductive cells (gametes), crucial for sexual reproduction.
• Mitochondrion: Organelle that converts food-derived chemical energy into usable cellular energy (ATP).
• Mitosis: Process where a single cell divides to form two identical daughter cells, ensuring genetic continuity.
• Mutation: Change in the DNA sequence that can influence traits.
• Natural Selection: Mechanism of evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment have higher reproductive success.
• Neuron: Fundamental unit of the nervous system responsible for transmitting signals.
• Nucleic Acid: Biopolymers (DNA and RNA) essential for storing and transmitting genetic information.
• Nucleus: Core part of an atom, containing protons and neutrons; also refers to the organelle in eukaryotic cells.
• Organic Compound: Chemical compounds containing carbon, crucial for life on Earth.
• Osmosis: Diffusion specifically concerning water across a semi-permeable membrane.
• Photosynthesis: Process by which autotrophic organisms convert light energy into chemical energy, producing oxygen and carbohydrates.
• Producer: Organism capable of synthesizing its own food, typically through photosynthesis.
• Prokaryote: Single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus, such as bacteria.
• Protein Synthesis: Formation of proteins guided by the genetic information encoded in DNA.
• Punnett Square: Diagram used to predict genetic variation in offspring from parent allele combinations.
• Recessive Trait: A trait that is only expressed in an individual when two recessive alleles are present.
• Specialization: The process where workers focus on activities that maximize efficiency and competitive advantage.
• Trophic Level: Position an organism occupies in a food chain, relating to its feeding relationships.
• Virus: Non-living infectious agents composed of genetic material and a protein coat, requiring a host for replication.