Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
FSSA: Life
FSSA Review - Vocabulary from Life Science (MYP Y2)
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| genotype | a set of genes in DNA responsible for unique traits or characteristics (examples: Xx, BB, aa) |
| phenotype | the physical appearance or characteristic of an organism (examples: blue eyes, curly hair) |
| chromosome | made up of proteins and DNA organized into genes, found inside the nucleus |
| chromatid | one of the two identical halves of a chromosome that has been replicated in preparation for cell division |
| gene | made up of sequences of DNA; one set of instructions for an inherited trait |
| inherited trait | a trait or characteristic that is passed from parent to offspring |
| DNA | Deoxyribonucleic acid; the material that contains the information that determines inherited characteristics |
| RNA | Ribonucleic acid; a molecule that is present in all living cells and plays a role in protein production |
| crossing over | (genetic recombination) the exchange of genes between two chromosomes, resulting in non-identical chromatids that comprise the genetic material of gametes. This process occurs during Prophase I of Meiosis. |
| variation | the occurrence of hereditary and nonhereditary differences between different individuals of a population |
| transcription | the first step in gene expression; involves copying a gene's DNA sequence to make an RNA molecule. |
| meiosis | a process in cell division during which the number of chromosomes decreases to half the original number by two divisions of the nucleus, which results in the production of sex cells (gametes or spores) |
| mitosis | in eukaryotic cells, a process of cell division that forms two new nuclei, each of which has the same number of chromosomes |
| cell membrane | a phospholipid layer that covers a cell's surface and acts as a barrier between the inside of a cell and the cell's environment |
| nucleus (of a cell) | the cell structure that contains a cell's genetic material; only found in eukaryotes |
| cytoplasm | the gelatinous liquid that fills the inside of a cell |
| cell wall | a rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane and provides support to the cell; only found in plants |
| prokaryote | an organism whose cells are characterized by the lack of a defined nucleus (only the single-celled organisms of the domains Bacteria and Archaea) |
| eukaryote | an organism whose cells contain complex organelles and a nucleus surrounded by a membrane (animals, plants, fungi and protists) |
| species | a group of the same kind of organisms that can mate and produce offspring that can reproduce |
| binomial nomenclature | (Latin) a system used to name organisms using two words: the genus name and the species name |
| natural selection | the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully that less well adapted individuals do |
| evolution (scientific theory of evolution) | a cumulative change in the characteristics of organisms or populations over time from generation to generation; a result of natural selection where organisms better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce |
| convergent evolution | two species have independently evolved similarities rather than inheriting them from a common ancestor. |
| adaptation | an inherited trait that improves and individual's ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment |
| learned behavior | adaptive behaviors acquired through experiences in life and are not genetically inherited |
| homologous structures | physical features found in different organisms that share a common ancestor (examples: wings, |
| cell | the smallest unit that can perform all life processes; cells are covered by a membrane and include DNA and cytoplasm |
| organ | a collection of tissues that carry out a specialized function of the body |
| organ system | a group of organs that work together to perform body functions |
| antibiotic resistance | occurs when bacteria develop defenses against the antibiotics designed to kill them |
| organelle | one of the small bodies in a cell's cytoplasm that are specialized to perform a specific function |
| Linnaean System of Classification | A way of organizing life in a descending hierarchy of categories: kingdom , phylum , class , order , family , genus , and species |
| organism | a living thing |
| characteristic | a feature, quality, property or trait of an organism or object |
| classify | to arrange in a specific order or group by categories based on similarities |
| community | populations of different species or organisms living together in the same geographic area |
| consumer | an organism in a food chain that obtains nutrients from producers or other consumers; may be herbivores or carnivores |
| heterotroph | a consumer; cannot produce its own energy and must eat other organisms |
| producer | an organism that produces its own food; responsible for being the base of the food chain as it's the only organism that can transform inorganic energy (sunlight) into organic energy (sugar) |
| autotroph | a producer; can produce its own energy |
| ecosystem | all the living and nonliving things that interact with each other in an environment |
| endangered species | a species whose population is so small that it's at risk of extinction |
| environment | includes all living organisms and the surrounding physical features such as air, water, soil, weather and landforms |
| extinct species | a species that no longer exists |
| fertilization | the process by which the female reproductive cell (egg) is united with the mall reproductive cell (sperm) |
| food chain | a diagram representing the transfer of energy from the Sun through producers and a series of consumers |
| germination | the process by which plants begin to grow from a seed or a spore |
| invertebrate | an animal that lacks a backbone |
| larva | an early stage in the life cycle of an organism that will undergo complete metamorphosis |
| life cycle | the stages of an organism's growth and development |
| herbivore | an organism that eats only plants |
| carnivore | an organism that eat only other animals |
| omnivore | an organism that eats both plants and animals |
| nutrient | a substance that an organism needs to survive and grow |
| nymph | a pre-adult insect undergoing incomplete metamorphosis |
| pistil | the female reproductive structure of a flowering plant |
| pollen | the fine dust-like powder that contains the male reproductive cells of seed-bearing plants |
| pollinate | to transfer the pollen from the male reproductive structure to the female reproductive structure to fertilize flowering plants |
| population` | all members of the same species living together at the same time in the same area |
| pupa | a stage in the life cycle of an insect that occurs between larva and adult |
| reproduction | the process of making more organisms of the same kind |
| spore | a seed-like structure that produces a new plant (ex. ferns or mosses) |
| stamen | the male reproductive structure of a flowering plant |
| vertebrate | an animal that has a backbone |
| allele | any of two or more alternate forms of a gene that an organism may have for a particular trait |
| budding | an ASEXUAL reproductive process in which an outgrowth of a parent organism detaches and forms a new individual of the same species |
| dominant | the form of a trait that is expressed or shown when at least one of the alleles is present (BB, Bb) |
| recessive | the form of a trait that is expressed when only two alleles are present (bb); can be covered up by the presence of a dominant trait |
| homeostasis | the tendency of a cell or organism to maintain internal stability |
| niche | the unique position occupied by a particular species in terms of the area it inhabits and the function it performs within the community |
| regeneration | the growth of new tissues or organs to replace those lost or damaged by injury |
| P generation | the parental generation in a genetic cross |
| F1 generation | the first generation of offspring from the mating of parental organisms (P generation) |
| pedigree chart | a chart that diagrams the inheritance of a trait or health condition through generations of a family |
| Punnett square | a square diagram that shows the genotypes two individuals can produce when crossed |
| chlorophyll | a green pigment that absorbs light energy from the Sun for photosynthesis |
| chloroplast | organelle where photosynthesis happens in a plant |
| mitochondria | organelle where cellular respiration occurs; the powerhouse of the cell |
| vacuole | organelle with no definite shape or size that's used for storage; larger in plant cells |
Created by:
Ms. Wilhjelm
Popular Life Science sets