Term | Definition |
Biochemistry | The chemistry of living things. The study of the molecules that are necessary for life. |
Cell | The smallest unit of an organism. Also known as the "building blocks of life" |
Tissue | Made up of a group of similar cells working together. Ex: bone cells create bone tissue and nerve cells create nerve tissue |
Organ | Made up of a group of different tissues working together. Ex: The heart is made up of nerve, blood, and muscle tissue |
Organ System/Body System | Made up of a group of organs working together. Ex: The digestive system includes the stomach, the small intestine, and the large intestine |
Organism | A living thing |
Simple Molecule | Is made up of 2 or more atoms held together by bonds. Ex: CO2, NaCl, O2, H2 |
Complex Molecule | Molecules that contain hundreds or thousands of atoms joined together in long winding chains. Ex: DNA |
Simple Sugar | A sugar, such as glucose, that cannot be broken down any futher |
Glucose | A simple sugar that provides energy to living things. The chemical formula is C6H12O6 |
Amino Acids | The building blocks of proteins. Made up of C, H, O, and N |
Protein | A complex molecule that is essential for life. Made up of amino acids |
Nutrients | The components of food that living things need to survive and grow. Ex: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins |
DNA - nucleic acids | The genetic make-up of all organisms, also known as the "blueprint of life". Made up of complex molecules called nucleic acids |
Enzyme | A substance made by living things that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction in the body |
Chemical Energy | Energy released by a chemical reaction |
Regulation | All of the body systems working together to make sure that the temperature, pH, O2 levels, etc. are balanced to keep an organism alive and healthy |
Organelle | A structure in the cell that performs a specific function (job) |
Mitochondria | "Powerhouse" of the cell. This is where cellular respiration happens |
Chloroplast | Organelle found in plant cells. This is where photosynthesis happens |
Photosynthesis | The process that plants go through to create glucose and oxygen (C6H12O6 + 6O2) |
Cellular Respiration | The process that all cells go through to create ATP energy |
Diffusion | Movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration |
Digestion | Breaking food down into nutrients that living things need to survive |