Final Exam Review Terms | BIOL - Biology 1 - Introduction, Quizzes of Biology

Download Final Exam Review Terms | BIOL - Biology 1 - Introduction and more Quizzes Biology in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Active Site DEFINITION 1 The specific portion of an enzyme that attaches to the substrate by means of weak chemical bonds TERM 2 Active Transport DEFINITION 2 Active transport is the mediated process of moving particles across a biological membrane against a concentration gradient. TERM 3 Adaptation DEFINITION 3 Adaptation is the process whereby a population becomes better suited to its habitat. TERM 4 Adenine DEFINITION 4 Adenine is a nucleobase (a purine derivative) with a variety of roles in biochemistry including cellular respiration, in the form of both the energy-rich adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the cofactors nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and protein synthesis, as a chemical component of DNA and RNA. TERM 5 Aerobic Respiration DEFINITION 5 Cellular respiration, also known as 'oxidative metabolism', is one of the key ways a cell gains useful energy. TERM 6 Algae DEFINITION 6 Algae (; singular alga , Latin for "seaweed") are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms. TERM 7 Alternation of Generations DEFINITION 7 A life cycle in which there is both a multicellular diploid form, the sporophyte, and a multicellular haploid form, the gametophyte TERM 8 Anabolism DEFINITION 8 Anabolism (Greek "mound" from ana = upward + ballein = "to throw") is the set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units. TERM 9 Anaerobic DEFINITION 9 Lacking oxygen; referring to an organism, environment, or cellular process that lack oxygen and may be poisoned by it. TERM 10 Animalia DEFINITION 10 The kingdom that consists of multi-cellular eukaryotes that ingest their food. TERM 21 auxin DEFINITION 21 Auxins are a class of plant growth substance and morphogens (often called phytohormone or plant hormone). TERM 22 bacilli DEFINITION 22 Bacilli refers to a taxonomic class of bacteria. TERM 23 bacteria DEFINITION 23 The bacteria (; singular: bacterium) are a large group of unicellular microorganisms. TERM 24 bacteriophage DEFINITION 24 A bacteriophage (from 'bacteria' and Greek phagein "to eat") is any one of a number of viruses that infect bacteria. TERM 25 bark DEFINITION 25 Bark is the outermost layers of stems and roots of woody plants. TERM 26 binary fission DEFINITION 26 Binary fission, or prokaryotic fission, is the form of asexual reproduction and cell division used by all prokaryotic and some single-celled eukaryotic organisms. TERM 27 binomial DEFINITION 27 The two-part latinized name of a species, consisting of genus specific, consisting of genus and specific ephithet. TERM 28 biotic DEFINITION 28 Biotic means relating to, produced by, or caused by living organisms. TERM 29 bryophyte DEFINITION 29 Bryophytes are all embryophytes ('land plants') that are non- vascular: they have tissues and enclosed reproductive systems, but they lack vascular tissue that circulates liquids. TERM 30 pressure flow DEFINITION 30 The Pressure Flow Hypothesis is the best-supported theory to explain the movement of food through the phloem. TERM 31 Calvin cycle DEFINITION 31 The Calvin cycle or Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle is a series of biochemical reactions that take place in the stroma of chloroplasts in photosynthetic organisms. TERM 32 cambium DEFINITION 32 a layer of delicate meristematic tissue between the inner bark or phloem and the wood or xylem, which produces new phloem on the outside and new xylem on the inside in stems, roots, etc., originating all secondary growth in plants and forming the annual rings of wood. TERM 33 capsid DEFINITION 33 A capsid is the protein shell of a virus. TERM 34 capsomere DEFINITION 34 Capsomeres make up the capsid, an outer covering of protein that protects the genetic material of a virus. TERM 35 carbohydrate DEFINITION 35 A sugar or one of its dimers or polymers TERM 46 Cell Wall DEFINITION 46 A cell wall is a tough, usually flexible but sometimes fairly rigid layer that surrounds some types of cells. TERM 47 Cellulose DEFINITION 47 A structural polysaccharide of cells walls,consisting of glucose monomers joined by b-1, 4-glychosidec linkages TERM 48 Charophyceae DEFINITION 48 Charophyceae is a taxon of green algae whose exact rank is the matter of some current debate. TERM 49 chemoautotroph DEFINITION 49 Chemotrophs are organisms that obtain energy by the oxidation of electron donating molecules in their environments. TERM 50 chemoheterotroph DEFINITION 50 Chemotrophs are organisms that obtain energy by the oxidation of electron donating molecules in their environments. TERM 51 chitin DEFINITION 51 A structural polysaccharide of an amino sugar found in many fungi and in the exoskeletons TERM 52 cisternae DEFINITION 52 A cisterna (plural cisternae) comprises a flattened membrane disk that makes up the Golgi apparatus. TERM 53 coacervate DEFINITION 53 A coacervate is a tiny spherical droplet of assorted organic molecules (specifically, lipid molecules) which is held together by hydrophobic forces from a surrounding liquid. TERM 54 cocci DEFINITION 54 Cocci is one of the three types of shapes of bacterias: cocci (spherical), bacilli (rod-shaped), and spirella, (spiral-shaped) TERM 55 Cohesion tension DEFINITION 55 Transpirational pull is the main phenomenon driving the flow of water in the xylem tissues of large plants. TERM 56 Coleoptile DEFINITION 56 Coleoptile is the pointed protective sheath covering the emerging shoot in monocotyledons such as oats and grasses. TERM 57 Collenchyma cell DEFINITION 57 A flexible plant cell type that occurs in strands or cylinders that support young parts of the plant without restraining growth TERM 58 commensalism DEFINITION 58 In ecology, Commensalism is a class of relationship between two organisms where one organism benefits but the other is unaffected. TERM 59 companion cell DEFINITION 59 In vascular plants, phloem is the living tissue that carries organic nutrients (known as photosynthate), particularly sucrose, a sugar, to all parts of the plant where needed. TERM 60 complete flower DEFINITION 60 A flower that has all four basic floral organs: sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels. TERM 71 cytosine DEFINITION 71 Cytosine is one of the four main bases found in DNA and RNA. TERM 72 cytoskeleton DEFINITION 72 The cytoskeleton (also CSK) is a cellular "scaffolding" or "skeleton" contained within the cytoplasm that is made out of protein. TERM 73 day-neutral plants DEFINITION 73 A plant whose flowering is not affected by photoperiod TERM 74 denatured DEFINITION 74 Denaturation is a process in which proteins or nucleic acids lose their tertiary structure and secondary structure by application of some external stress or compound, such as a strong acid or base, a concentrated inorganic salt, an organic solvent (e.g., alcohol or chloroform), or heat. TERM 75 dermal tissue DEFINITION 75 The outer protective covering of plants TERM 76 dicotyledon DEFINITION 76 Dicotyledons, or "dicots", is a name for a group of flowering plants whose seed typically has two embryonic leaves or cotyledons. TERM 77 differentiation DEFINITION 77 In developmental biology, cellular differentiation is the process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type. TERM 78 diffusion DEFINITION 78 The spontaneous tendency of a substance to move down its concentration gradient from a more concentrated to a less concentrated area. TERM 79 dioecious DEFINITION 79 Dioecious species are whose members can produce only one type of gamete; each individual organism belonging to a dioecious species is distinctly male or female (the word deriving from the Greek for "two households"). TERM 80 diploid DEFINITION 80 Ploidy is the number of complete sets of chromosomes in a biological cell. TERM 81 DNA DEFINITION 81 Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses. TERM 82 dormancy DEFINITION 82 Dormancy is a period in an organism's life cycle when growth, development, and (in animals) physical activity is temporarily stopped. TERM 83 double fertilization DEFINITION 83 Double fertilization is a complex fertilization mechanism that has evolved in flowering plants, known as angiosperms. TERM 84 double helix DEFINITION 84 The form of native DNA, referring to its two adjacent polynucleotide strands wound into a spiral shape. TERM 85 embryo sac DEFINITION 85 Ovule literally means "small egg." In seed plants, the ovule is the structure that gives rise to and contains the female reproductive cells. TERM 96 Eukarya DEFINITION 96 The domain that includes all eukaryotic organisms TERM 97 eukaryote DEFINITION 97 A eukaryote ( or ) is an organism whose cells contain complex structures inside the membranes. TERM 98 evolution DEFINITION 98 In biology, evolution is change in the genetic material of a population of organisms through successive generations. TERM 99 exotoxins DEFINITION 99 An exotoxin is a toxin excreted by a microrganism, including bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa. TERM 100 Facultative anaerobe DEFINITION 100 A facultative anaerobic organism is an organism, usually a bacterium, that makes ATP by aerobic respiration if oxygen is present but is also capable of switching to fermentation. TERM 101 fibers DEFINITION 101 Fiber, also spelled fibre, is a class of materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces, similar to lengths of thread. TERM 102 filament DEFINITION 102 The stalk of a stamen TERM 103 five-kingdom system DEFINITION 103 In biological taxonomy, kingdom or regnum is a taxonomic rank in either (historically) the highest rank, or (in the new three-domain system) the rank below domain. TERM 104 flaccid DEFINITION 104 Limp. A walled cells is flaccid in surroundings where there is no tendency for water to enter. TERM 105 flagella DEFINITION 105 A flagellum (, plural: flagella) is a tail-like projection that protrudes from the cell body of certain prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and functions in locomotion. TERM 106 florigen DEFINITION 106 Florigen (or flowering hormone) is the term used to describe the hypothesized hormone-like molecules responsible for controlling and/or triggering flowering in plants. TERM 107 fluid mosaic model DEFINITION 107 The cell membrane (also called the plasma membrane or plasmalemma) is the biological membrane separating the interior of a cell from the outside environment. TERM 108 frame shift mutation DEFINITION 108 A frameshift mutation (also called a framing error or a reading frame shift) is a genetic mutation caused by indels, ie. TERM 109 fungi DEFINITION 109 A fungus () is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. TERM 110 gametangia DEFINITION 110 A gametangium (plural: gametangia) is an organ or cell in which gametes are produced that is found in many multicellular protists, algae, fungi, and the gametophytes of plants. TERM 121 guanine DEFINITION 121 Guanine is one of the five main nucleobases found in the nucleic acids DNA and RNA, the others being adenine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil. TERM 122 guard cell DEFINITION 122 The two cells that flank the stomatal pore and regulate the openings and closing of the pore. TERM 123 guttation DEFINITION 123 Guttation is the appearance of drops of xylem sap on the tips or edges of leaves of some vascular plants, such as grasses. TERM 124 halophile DEFINITION 124 Halophiles are extremophile organisms that thrive in environments with very high concentrations of salt. TERM 125 haploid DEFINITION 125 Ploidy is the number of complete sets of chromosomes in a biological cell. TERM 126 helical DEFINITION 126 A helix (pl: helixes or helices) is a type of space curve, i.e. TERM 127 herbaceous DEFINITION 127 A herbaceous plant (in botanical use simply herb) is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. TERM 128 heterocyst DEFINITION 128 Heterocysts are specialized nitrogen-fixing cells formed by some filamentous cyanobacteria, such as Nostoc punctiforme, Cylindrospermum stagnale and Anabaena sperica, during nitrogen starvation. TERM 129 heterotroph DEFINITION 129 A Heterotroph is an organism that uses organic carbon for growth. TERM 130 histone DEFINITION 130 In biology, histones are strongly alkaline proteins found in eukaryotic cell nuclei, which package and order the DNA into structural units called nucleosomes. TERM 131 hormone DEFINITION 131 In multicellular organisms, one of many types of circulating chemical signals that are formed in specialized cells, travel in body fluids, and act on specific target cells to change their functioning. TERM 132 hydrophilic DEFINITION 132 Hydrophile, from the Greek (hydros) "water" and (philia) "friendship," refers to a physical property of a molecule that can transiently bond with water (H2O) through hydrogen bonding. TERM 133 hydrophobic DEFINITION 133 In chemistry, hydrophobicity (from the combining form of water in Attic Greek hydro- and for fear phobos) is the physical property of a molecule (known as a hydrophobe) that is repelled from a mass of water. TERM 134 hypotonic DEFINITION 134 In comparing two solutions, referring to the one with a lower solute concentration. TERM 135 imbibition DEFINITION 135 Imbibition is defined as the displacement of one fluid by another immiscible fluid. TERM 146 life cycle DEFINITION 146 the generation-to-generation sequence of stages in the reproductive history of an organism. TERM 147 light reactions DEFINITION 147 The steps in photosynthesis that occur on the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast and that convert solar energy to the chemical energy of ATP and NADPH, evolving oxygen in the process. TERM 148 lignin DEFINITION 148 A hard material embedded in the cellulose matrix of vascular plant cell walls that functions as an important adaptation for support in terrestrial species. TERM 149 Lipid DEFINITION 149 Lipids are a broad group of naturally-occurring molecules which includes fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E and K), monoglycerides, diglycerides, phospholipids, and others. TERM 150 liposome DEFINITION 150 A liposome is a tiny bubble (vesicle), made out of the same material as a cell membrane. TERM 151 long-day plant DEFINITION 151 A plant that flowers (usually in late spring or early summer) only when the light period is longer than a critical length. TERM 152 lysis DEFINITION 152 Lysis (Greek ', lysis from lyein = to separate) refers to the death of a cell by breaking of the cellular membrane, causing the contents to spill out, often by viral, enzymic or osmotic mechanisms that compromise its integrity. TERM 153 macronutrient DEFINITION 153 A nutrient is a chemical that an organism needs to live and grow or a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment. TERM 154 megaspore DEFINITION 154 A spore from a heterosporous plant species that develops into a female gametophyte. TERM 155 meiosis DEFINITION 155 In biology, meiosis () is a process of reductional division in which the number of chromosomes per cell is cut in half. TERM 156 mixotrophic DEFINITION 156 A mixotroph is a (micro)organism that can use a mix of different sources of energy and carbon. TERM 157 molecular biology DEFINITION 157 Molecular biology is the study of biology at a molecular level. TERM 158 Monera DEFINITION 158 While the Monera were originally understood to be one of five biological kingdoms, they were later understood to comprise two kingdoms: the eubacteria and the archaebacteria (later renamed Bacteria and Archaea). TERM 159 monocotyledon DEFINITION 159 Monocotyledons or monocots are one of two major groups of flowering plants (angiosperms) that are traditionally recognized, the other being dicotyledons or dicots. TERM 160 monoecious DEFINITION 160 A term typically used to describe an angiosperm species in which carpellate and staminate flowers are on the same plant. TERM 171 nucleoid DEFINITION 171 A dense region of DNA in a prokaryotic cell. TERM 172 nucleotide DEFINITION 172 Nucleotides are molecules that, when joined together, make up the structural units of RNA and DNA. TERM 173 nucleus DEFINITION 173 The chromosome containing organelle of a eukaryotic cell. TERM 174 nutrient cycling DEFINITION 174 In ecology and Earth science, a biogeochemical cycle or nutrient cycle is a pathway by which a chemical element or molecule moves through both biotic (biosphere) and abiotic (lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere) compartments of Earth. TERM 175 obligate aerobe DEFINITION 175 An Obligate aerobe is an aerobic organism that requires oxygen to grow. TERM 176 organ DEFINITION 176 A specialized center of body function composed of several different types of tissues. TERM 177 organelle DEFINITION 177 In cell biology, an organelle () is a specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function, and is usually separately enclosed within its own lipid membrane. TERM 178 osmoregulation DEFINITION 178 How organisms regulate solute concentrations and balance the gain and loss of water. TERM 179 osmosis DEFINITION 179 Osmosis is the diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane. TERM 180 ovary DEFINITION 180 The ovary is an ovum-producing reproductive organ, often found in pairs as part of the vertebrate female reproductive system. TERM 181 palisade mesophyll DEFINITION 181 Palisade cells are a type of cells found within the mesophyll in leaves of dicotyledonous plants. TERM 182 parenchyma DEFINITION 182 Parenchyma is a term used to describe a bulk of a substance. TERM 183 passive transport DEFINITION 183 Passive transport means moving biochemicals and atomic or molecular substances across the cell membrane. TERM 184 pectin DEFINITION 184 Pectin (from Greek - - pektikos, "congealed, curdled") is a structural heteropolysaccharide contained in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. TERM 185 pellicle DEFINITION 185 The pellicle is a thin layer supporting the cell membrane in various protozoa, protecting them and allowing them to retain their shape. TERM 196 photoperiodism DEFINITION 196 Photoperiodicity is the physiological reaction of organisms to the length of day or night. TERM 197 photosynthesis DEFINITION 197 Photosynthesis (from the Greek [photo-], "light," and [synthesis], "putting together.", "composition") is a process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. TERM 198 phototaxis DEFINITION 198 Phototaxis is a kind of taxis that occurs when a whole organism moves in response to the stimulus light. TERM 199 phylogenetic tree DEFINITION 199 A phylogenetic tree or evolutionary tree is a tree showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species or other entities that are known to have a common ancestor. TERM 200 phylogeny DEFINITION 200 In biology, phylogenetics is the study of evolutionary relatedness among various groups of organisms (for example, species, populations), which is discovered through molecular sequencing data and morphological data matrices. TERM 201 phytochrome DEFINITION 201 Phytochrome is a photoreceptor, a pigment that plants use to detect light. TERM 202 pilus DEFINITION 202 A pilus (Latin for 'hair'; plural : pili) is a hairlike appendage found on the surface of many bacteria. TERM 203 pith DEFINITION 203 Ground tissue that is internal to the vascular tissue in a stem; in many monocot roots, parenchyma cells that form the central core of the vascular cylinder. TERM 204 plasma membrane DEFINITION 204 The cell membrane (also called the plasma membrane or plasmalemma) is the biological membrane separating the interior of a cell from the outside environment. TERM 205 plasmid DEFINITION 205 A plasmid is an extra chromosomal DNA molecule separate from the chromosomal DNA which is capable of replicating independently from the chromosomal DNA. TERM 206 plasmodesmata DEFINITION 206 Plasmodesmata (singular: plasmodesma) are microscopic channels which traverse the cell walls of plant cells and some algal cells enabling transport and communication between them. TERM 207 plasmolysed DEFINITION 207 Plasmolysis is the process in plant cells where the plasma membrane pulls away from the cell wall due to the loss of water through osmosis. TERM 208 point mutation DEFINITION 208 A point mutation (or single base substitution or single nucleotide mutation), is a type of mutation that causes the replacement of a single base nucleotide with another nucleotide of the genetic material, DNA or RNA. TERM 209 pollen grain DEFINITION 209 Pollen is a fine to coarse powder containing the microgametophytes of seed plants, which produce the male gametes (sperm cells). TERM 210 pollination DEFINITION 210 Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred in plants, thereby enabling fertilization and sexual reproduction.