Terms and Definition

• Reproduction


  Is the process by which an organism produces others of the same kind. The purpose is to make sure an organism's species can continue to survive
• Asexual reproduction


  Is a type of reproduction by which an organism or organisms is/are produced from one organism
• Sexual reproduction


  Is a type of reproduction by which two sex cells are required for the fertilisation of the egg
• Fertilisation


  Is the fusion of the male gamete and the female gamete to form a zygote
• Zygote


  Fertilised egg
• Vagina


  Structure in the female body where sperm is deposited. it's also the birth canal
• Cervix


  Is the protective barrier from pathogen entry into the uterus
• Uterus


  Female organ that houses and nourishes the human baby or foetus during pregnancy
• Fallopian Tube


  Tubes that are used to transport the ova to the uterus. they are usually the site of fertilisation
• Ovary


  Produce eggs (ova) and manufactures female hormones oestrogen and progesterone
• Penis


  Male reproductive organ which semen and urine pass through. Ensures sperm are deposited for fertilisation
• Urethra


  Carries the semen and urine outside the body
• Vas Deferens


  Transport sperm from the epididymis to the seminal vesicles
• Seminal Vesicle and Prostate

  Secretes fluid containing glucose and pH neutraliser that forms part of the semen
• Testis


  Produces sperm and male hormone testosterone
• Cytoplasm


  Is the liquid medium of the cell. In it, all the organelles are suspended. It consists of between 75% and 90% water.
• Nucleus


  Contains the genetic material (DNA) of the cell. The DNA controls the functions of the cells
• Ribosomes


  Are used by the cells for protein synthesis. They can be found floating freely in the cytoplasm, others are found attached to various organelles e.g. Golgi Apparatus
• Endoplasmic Reticulation


  Two types: Smooth ER and Rough ER. ER are membranes that connect the nucleus to the cell membrane Rough ERs have ribosomes attached and are used to transport proteins. Smooth ER do not have ribosomes attached and store material within the cell
• Golgi Apparatus


  Modify and package proteins for secretion from the cell in vesicle
• Mitochondria


  Enzymes which catalyse reaction which releases energy for the cell from glucose (respiration)
• Centrioles


  Rod-like structures, found in pairs or small groupings. They are located near the nucleus. They are involved in reproduction of the cell
• Cilla & Flagella


  Small hair-like structures and aid in movement
• Cell Membrane


  The cell membrane (or plasma membrane) is the outer boundary of the cell. It is a phospholipid bi-layer. It controls what enters and leaves the cell
• Lysosomes


  Lysosomes are organelles which breaks down cellular debris and waste materials
• Vacuoles


  Plays a similar function as he lysosomes. Small to none in animal cells
• Cell wall


  A cell wall is defined as a rigid, external layer that is specifically designed to provide structural support and rigidity.
• Chloroplast


  A plastid in green plants cells which contains chlorophyll and in which photosynthesis takes place
• DNA


  deoxyribonucleic acid
• Haploid cell


  A cell with only one set of chromosomes, often are gamete
• Diploid cell


  A cell with two sets (a pair) of chromosomes
• Homologous chromosomes


  A pair of chromosomes, one each from mother and father. They have the same structural features and pattern of genes
• Fertalization


  When a female egg cell (haploid cell) combines with a male sperm cell (haploid) resulting in a diploid cell
• Alleles


  Different variations of genes
• Meiosis


  Cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms
• Mitosis


  Cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes