vocab

• Biology


  Study of life
• Cell


  Basic unit of structure and function of all living things
• Science


  A body of evidence-based knowledge gained through observation and experimentation related to the natural world and technology
• Homeostasis


  The regulation of an organism's internal environment to maintain conditions that allow it to live
• Hypothesis


  Testable explanation; written in "IF... THEN" format
• Theory


  An explanation based on many observations (hypothesis is repeatedly verified over time and through many separate experiments)
• Principle (scientific)


  A concept based on scientific laws and axioms (rules assumed to be present, true, and valid) where general agreement is present
• Law


  Describes relationships under certain conditions in nature; Describes but does not explain a natural event
• Agriculture


  The artificial cultivation of food, fiber, and other goods by the systematic growing and harvesting of various organisms
• Embryology


  The branch of zoology studying the early development of living things
• System


  A set of interacting or interdependent components, real or abstract, that form an integrated whole. An open system is able to interact with its environment. A closed system is isolated from its environment
• Mechanism (scientific)


  The combination of components and processes that serve a common function
• Eukaryotic cells


  Have membrane-bound nucleus and organelles; usually more complex than prokaryotic cell
• Prokaryotic cells


  Does NOT have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles
• Atom


  Smallest particle of an element that has the characteristics of that element
• Nucleus


  Center of atom; contains protons & neutrons
• Molecule


  A group of covalently bonded atoms with no charge
• pH


  How acidic or basic a substance is
• Freezing Point


  The temperature at which a liquid changes state to a solid
• Macromolecules


  Extremely large compounds made of smaller ones
• Carbohydrates


  Compounds used for storage and release of energy; Made of C, H, O atoms; Ratio is 2 Hydrogen atoms : 1 Oxygen atom
• Lipids


  Commonly called fats & oils; Contain more C-H bonds and less O atoms than carbohydrates; Basic building blocks: 3 fatty acids + 1 glycerol
• Functions of lipids in our body

  • Long term energy storage (used when carbohydrates are NOT available)
  • Insulation
  • Protect body tissue (cushioning)
• Proteins


  Large complex polymer composed of C, H, O, N, & sometimes S; Basic building blocks: Amino acids
• Functions of proteins in our body

  • Muscle contraction
  • Transport oxygen in the bloodstream
  • Provide immunity (antibodies)
  • Carry out chemical reactions
• Peptide bond


  A covalent bond that joins amino acids to each other
• Adhesion


  The intermolecular attraction between unlike molecules. Capillary action results from the adhesive properties of water and the molecules that make up plant cells
• Specific heat


  The measure of the heat energy required to increase the temperature of a unit quantity of a substance by a certain temperature interval
• Temperature


  A measure of the average kinetic energy (energy of motion) of particles in a sample of matter. This physical property can determine the rate and extent to which chemical reactions can occur within living systems. It is commonly measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit
• Enzymes


  A specialized type of protein; acts like a catalyst = substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction but it is not used up in the reaction
• Nucleic acids


  Complex polymer that stores information in cells in the form of a code; Monomer: nucleotides, which consist of C, H, O, N, P
• Types of nucleic acids

  • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains all the instructions for an organisms development...AKA genetic information
  • RNA (ribonucleic acid) forms a copy of DNA and is used for protein synthesis (production)
• Tissue


  A group of cells functioning together to perform and activity
• Organs


  Groups of two or more tissues that function together
• Eukaryotic cell


  Cells that contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles
• Prokaryotic cell


  Cells that lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles
• Organelles


  Carries out specific functions in a cell
• Nucleus


  Control center of the cell
• Ribosomes


  Produces proteins
• Intracellular


  Located inside a cell