Biology Vocabulary Quiz

Words to Learn

• Oxygen: A colorless gas that's part of the air.
• Carbon dioxide: A colorless gas, exhaled during respiration, used by plants during photosynthesis.
• Host: A living thing a parasite infects.
• Bacteria: Tiny organisms that can cause disease and live in or on other living things.
• Parasite: A tiny organism causing infection and living on or in another organism.
• Fungi: Living things using nutrients from the environment for energy.
• Infection: The process of passing a disease or illness from one place to another.
• Transmit: Passing a disease or illness.
• Vector: An organism (e.g., insect) that carries disease or parasites.
• Physical barrier: Prevents germs from entering the body (e.g., skin).
• Chemical barrier: Destroys germs on the body's surface (e.g., mucus).
• Mucus: A slimy substance in the body.
• Microorganisms/microbes: Tiny living things not visible to the naked eye.
• Fertilization: The joining of a male and female sex cell.
• Hormones: Chemicals causing bodily changes (e.g., puberty).
• Menstruation: The release of an unfertilized egg and uterine lining.
• Ova: Female sex cells.
• Puberty: The age when a person can reproduce.
• Reproductive system: Body parts involved in reproduction.
• Sperm: Male sex cells.

The Respiratory System

• Function: Allows breathing in oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide.
• Organs: Nose, trachea, lungs, and diaphragm are involved.
• Breathing process: Includes inhaling and exhaling air.
• Diaphragm: A muscle under the lungs that assists breathing.
• Respiratory disorders: Include asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
• Maintaining health: Avoid smoking, ensure good air quality, exercise, and good hygiene.

Key Facts About Puberty and the Reproductive System

• Puberty changes: Boys and girls experience bodily changes, especially reproductive system changes, enabling them to reproduce.
• Reproductive System's Role: The system's main function is to generate cells for reproduction.
• Boys: Produce sperm.
• Girls: Develop ova (eggs).
• Fertilization: Joining of sperm and egg creating a new organism.
• Boys' Puberty: Bodies start producing sperm.
• Girls' Puberty: Bodies begin developing ova and menstruation starts about a year after puberty begins.

Changes in the Reproductive System

• Puberty: The stage when the body changes to enable reproduction, differing slightly in timing between boys and girls.
• Puberty Cause: Chemical messages called hormones cause the changes.
• Growth spurts: During puberty, rapid growth frequently happens in both genders.
• Hair changes: Boys' hair grows on their faces, armpits, and other body areas; girls' hair grows mostly on armpits and other body areas.
• Skin changes: Both boys and girls may experience oily skin and pimples during puberty.
• Body shape changes: Boys experience broader shoulders and chest, increased muscle mass, and a deeper voice; girls experience wider hips, breast development, and voice changes.

Male Reproductive System

• Organs: Testes (singular: testis), Sperm duct, and Penis.
• Function: Produce sperm and transfer it into the female's body.

Female Reproductive System

• Organs: Ovaries, Uterus, Oviducts, and Birth Canal.
• Function: Produce ova (eggs), contain the growing baby, carry sperm, and give birth.

Microorganisms

• Bacteria: Single-celled organisms, some beneficial, some harmful.
• Viruses: Not considered living, require a host cell to reproduce.
• Fungi: Organisms that decompose organisms (e.g., molds, yeasts).

Infectious Diseases

• Causes: Tiny germs (bacteria, viruses, parasites) cause these illnesses.
• Transmission: Infectious diseases spread through air, water, touch, or insect vectors.
• Symptoms: Can include fever, coughs, soreness, and stomach issues.
• Mucus: Sticky mucus in noses, windpipes, and other airways traps germs.

Body Defenses

• Skin: Acts as a barrier to prevent germs from entering the body.
• Stomach acid: Kills germs in food.