a form of asexual reproduction in which one-cell divides to form two identical cells.
binomial nomenclature
The naming system for organisms in which each organism is given a two-part name-a genus name and a species name.
budding
A form of asexual reproduction in which a new organism grows out of the body of a parent.
cilia
the hair-like projections on the outside of cells that move in a wavelike manner.
classification
the process of grouping things based on their similarities.
conjugation
The process in which a unicellular organism trasfers some of its genetic material to another unicellular organism.
cotyledon
A seed leaf that stores food.
Decomposer
An organism that breaks down large chemicals from dead organisms into small chemials and returns important materials to the soil and water.
embryo
The young organism that develops from a zygote.
endospore
A small, rounded, thick-walled, resting cell that forms inside a bacterial cell.
fertilization
The joining of a sperm cell and an egg cell.
flagellum
A long, whip-like structure that helps a unicellular organism move.
flower
The reproductive structure of an angiosperm.
fruit
The ripened ovary and other structures that enclose one or more seeds of an angiosperm.
genus
A classification grouping that consists of a number of similar, closely related species.
hormone
The chemical product of an endocrine gland that speeds up or slows down the activities of an organ or tissue; also, a chemical that affects a plant's growth and development.
host
An organism that provides a source of energy or a suitable environment for another organism to live.
hyphae
Branching thread-like tubes that make up the bodies of multi-cellular fungi.
ovule
A plant structure in seed plants that contains an egg cell.
parasite
An organism that lives on or in a host and causes harm to the host.
pistil
The female reproductive part found in the petals of a flower in a seed producing plant.
pollen
Tiny particles produced by plants that contain the microscopic cells that later become sperm cells.
protozoan
An animal-like protist.
pseudopod
A "false-foot" or temporary bulge of the cell membrane used for feeding and movement in some protozoan.
seed
The plant structure that contains a young plant inside a protective covering.
spore
A tiny cell that is able to grow into a new organism.
species
A group of similar organisms whose members can mate with one another and produce fertile offspring.
stamen
The male reproductive parts of a flower.
taxonomy
The scientific study of how living things are classified.
tropism
The growth response of a plant toward or away form a stimulus.
vascular tissue
The internal transporting tissue in some plants that is made up of tube-like structures.
zygote
A fertilized egg, produced by the joining of a sperm cell and egg cell.
