Term | Definition |
allele | one of two or more alternate forms of a gene that arises by mutation; found at the same place on the chromosome |
autotroph | an organism that produces its own food such as plants |
base | On a microscope, the bottom. When carrying the microscope, hold the arm and the base. |
cell | the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism |
cell wall | rigid layer or barrier all around a cell |
chloroplast | a part of a plant cell in which photosynthesis take place |
cloning | make an identical copy of something. |
cytoplasm | material inside a cell excluding the nucleus |
density | how solid or compact a substance is |
Periodic table | Organized chart for all elements |
DNA | carrier of gene information on chromosomes |
dominant | characteristics that are inherited from a parent even if only one parent has the allele, the strong one |
genotype | the genetic make up of an organism |
genus | part of the system for sorting living things--genus comes after species and below family |
heterotroph | a organism that consumes or eat their food |
heterozygous | an organism with two different alleles of a particular gene--might have differing offspring |
homozygous | an organism having two identical alleles of a particular gene- |
hybrid | an organism with a mixture of alleles for a gene |
mass | the quantity of matter something contains |
mitrochondria | a rod-shaped structure that produces energy for the cell; mighty mitochondria |
nucleus | a cell structure that contains genetic material; the brains of the cell |
objective lenses | lenses in a microscope which allow magnification of the object |
pedigree | certain genes that the offspring inherits from the parent |
phenotype | the physical trait the gene actually produces |
punnett square | diagram that shows how the genes of two "parents" might possibly combine. |
purebred | certain genes that the offspring inherits from the parent; both phenotypes are the same |
recessive | a gene which has a trait that shows when both parents are recessive. |
responding or dependent variable | a variable in an experiment which is measured or studied. |
revolving nosepiece | the part of the microscope used to change objective (the magnification) |
ribosomes | A small grain-like structure in the cytoplasm were cells are made |
species | a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. |
unicellular | one cell, some organisms are unicellular--they consist of one cell. |
vacuole | water sacs in a cell |
volume | A measure of the amount of space or substance an object takes up |
water dispalcement | Technique used to find the volume of an irregularly shaped object |
multicellular | more than one cell |
membrane | A thin line of protection which decides what goes in and out of the cell |
manipulated or independent variable | a variable in an experiment which is intentionally changed by a variable in an experiment which is intentionally changed by |
eyepiece | The part of the microscope where you put your eye |
dichotomous key | a tool used to identify an organism. Helps to sort plants and animals into groups with similar characteristics |
diaphragm | A large dome shaped muscle that plays an important role in breathing |
control | the object that you compare everything else to |
coarse adjustment knob | On a microscope: the knob that makes large adjustments to the focus |
arm | On a microscope: the shaft that attaches the eyepiece body tube revolving nosepiece and objectives to the base |
Objective | On a microscope: the high medium and low objectives can be changed depending on how small or large the object is. |
electrons | atomic particles that produce a negative charge |
neutrons | atomic particles that produce a neutral charge |
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symbiosis | a relationship with benefits for two living organisms |
biome | a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra. |
length | a measure of how long an object is end-to-end |
temperature | a measure of heat energy an object or substance has |
The scientific method | six steps to recognize and try to solve a problem |
Qualitative Observations | observations using your five senses--color, smell, sounds, feel, taste |
Quantitative Observations | observations about something recorded in numbers such as weight, length, numbers of times something happens |
Inferences | A possible explanation based on observations and prior knowledge |
Hypothesis | an idea or suggested explanation for an observation |
Experimental Design | how the experiment is designed to test a hypothesis |
asexual reproduction | reproduction where one parent produces offspring that are genetically identical |
sexual reproduction | two parent organisms combine genetic material; offspring are genetically different from parents |
growth | process by which an organism grows bigger |
development | process by which an organism become more complex |
homeostasis | ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment |
stimulus | a change in the environment that makes an organism react |
response | an organism's reaction to a stimulus |
adaptation | an organism changes to better survive its enviornment |
classification | grouping things with similar characteristics |
taxonomy | studying how things are classified |
kingdoms | In a taxonomy a very general group |
cell wall | Found only in plant cells; a hard layer surrounding the cell membrane of plants |
chlorplast | in plants; captures sun's energy to produce food through photosynthesis |
mitosis | cell division in which one parent cell produces two identical daughter cells |
meiosis | cell division in which one parent cell produce four daughter cells |
mutation | a mistake in a genetic code which can occur during DNA replication |
cancer | caused by a mutation that can lead to uncontrollable division and growth in cells |
semi-permeable | certain substances can pass through the cell membrane |
passive transport | movement of molecules into and out of a semi-permeable cell |
diffusion | molecule move from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration |
osmosis | the diffusion of water through a cell membrane |
traits | a characteristic that an organism can pass on to its offspring |
biotic factors | all living things in an ecosystem |
abiotic factors | the nonliving things in an ecosystem |
population | all the members of one species that live in a specific area |
community | all the different populations that live in an area |
habitat | the specific place an organism lives |
energy source | the source of all energy inmost food webs is the sun |
producer | an organism that makes its own food (autotroph) |
Consumer | an organism that gets energy from eating other organisms (heterotroph) |
decomposer | an organism that breaks down wastes and dead organisms |
matter | anything that has mass and takes up space |
solid | a state of matter that has a definite shape and definite volume |
liquid | a state of matter that has NO definite shape, but has a definite volume; it cannot be compressed |
gas | a state of matter with no definite shape or volume; it can flow and be compressed |
physical change | a change in a substance that does not alter its identity |
chemical change | a change in which one or more substances combine or break apart to form new substances |
atom | building block of all matter |
element | types of atoms that cannot be broken down into other substances |
compound | made of two or more elements |
molecule | a combination of two or more atoms |
atomic number | the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom; unique to each element |
atomic mass | protons and neutrons which are located in the nucleus of an atom |
period | on the periodic table; a horizontal row of elements; they DO NOT have similar properties |
Group (Family) | On the periodic table; elements in the same column; have similar properties |
metals | most elements are metals; almost all are solid at room temperature (except Mercury) |
metalloids | 7 elements found at the boundary of metals and nonmetals |
Noble Gases | elements with their outer shells filled and DO NOT bond with other atoms |