| A | B |
|---|
| abiotic | non-living |
| adaptation | adjustment to environmental conditions, modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence under the conditions of its environment |
| alleles | Any of the alternative forms of a gene that may occur at a given locus on a chromosome |
| atmosphere | The gaseous envelope surrounding the earth; consists of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases, extends to a height of about 40,744km (22,000 miles) and rotates with the Earth. |
| biogeochemical cycles | relating to the partitioning and cycling of chemical elements and compounds between the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem |
| biological evolution | changes in the genetic compostion of a population through successive generations |
| biotechnology | biological science when applied especially in genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology |
| biotic | relating to life |
| capacity | the maximum amount or number that can be contained or accommodated |
| cell | the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism |
| cell division | the formation of two daughter cells from one parent cell, mitosis |
| cell membrane | the bounding membrane of cells which controls the entry of molecules and the interaction of cells with their environment, plasma membrane |
| cell respiration | metabolic processes which break down nutrients into usable energy |
| cell wall | a structure external to the plasma membrane of a plant cell. It provides structure and support |
| chemosynthesis | synthesis of organic compounds (as in living cells) by energy derived from chemical reactions |
| chloroplast | a plastid that contains chlorophyll and is the site of photsynthesis |
| chromosome | a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes |
| cilia | fine hair-like protrusions of the cell surface, which beat in unison to create currents of liquid over cell surface or propel the cell through the medium |
| climate | the average course or condition of the weather at a place usually over a period of years as exhibited by temperature, wind velocity and precipitation |
| cycle | an interval of time during which a sequence of a recurring succession of events or phenomena is completed |
| differentiation | the sum of the processes whereby apparently indifferent cells, tissues and structures attain their adult form and function |
| DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid, a double strand of necleotides, that is a self, replicating material present in living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It contains the genetic code and transmits the heredity pattern |
| dominant | a gene, that when present, is expressed in the phenotype |
| ecosystem | the complex of a community of organisms and its environment functioning as an ecological unit |
| emigration | a category of population dispersal covering one-way movement out of the population area |
| energy | the capacity for doing work, can be in various forms such as nuclear, sound, thermal and light |
| equilibrium | a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced |
| eukaryotic | an organism composed of one or more cells containing visibly evident nuclei and organelles |
| evolution (biological) | changes in the genetic composition of a population through successive generations |
| fermentation | an enzymatically controlled anaerobic breakdown of an energy-rich compound |
| flagella | long hair-like extensions from the cell surface whose movement is used for locomotion |
| food web | the totality of interacting food chains in an ecological community; interacting food chains in an ecological community |
| gene | a functional hereditary unit located at a particular point on a chromosome that controls or acts in the transmission of hereditary characteristics |
| genetic drift | the process by which gene frequencies are changed |
| heredity | the sum of the qualities and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors; the relation between successive generations, by which characteristics persist |
| homeostatis | a state of equilibrium between different but interrelated functions or elements, as in an organism or group |
| immigration | coming into the population |
| independent assortment | each chromosome in a pair that is independent of other chromosomes |
| jumping genes | genes that move from one position on the chromosome to another |
| life | an organism that has the capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli and reproduction |
| life cycle | the series of stages in form and functional activity through which an organism passes from fertilized ovum to the fertilized ovum of the next generation |
| matter | material substance that occupies space, has mass and is composed of atoms consisting of protons, neutrons and electrons that constitutes the observable universe, and that is interchangeable with energy |
| microorganisms | an organism of microscopic or ultramicroscopic size |
| mitochondria | cell structure responsible for cellular respiration |
| molecule | the smallest particle of a substance that retains all the properties of the substance and is composed of one or more atoms |
| multicellular | having or consisting of many cells |
| mutation | a relatively permanent change in hereditary material involving either a physical change in chromosome relations or a biochemical change in the codon(s) that make up genes |
| natural selection | the principle that in a given environment individuals having characteristics that aid survival will produce more offspring, and the proportion of individuals having such characteristics will increase with each succeeding generation |
| nucleus | 1. the positively charged central portion of an atom that comprises nearly all of the atomic mass and that consists of protons and neutrons. 2. the portion of a eukoryotic cell that is surrounded by a nuclear membrane and contains DNA |
| organism | an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of organs separate in function but mutually dependent; a living being |
| phenomenon | a fact or event of scientific interest susceptible to scientific description and explanation |
| photosynthesis | the chemical process by which chlorophyll-containing plants use light to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates, releasing oxygen as a byproduct |
| prokaryotic | a cellular organism (such as a bacterium or a blue-green alga) that does not have a distinct nucleus |
| recycle | to process (as liquid body waste, glass or cans) in order to regain material for human use |
| resource | industrial materials and capacities (as mineral deposits and waterpower) supplied by nature (earth science) and substances used by an organism for survival (biology) |
| species | a group of organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding |
| technology | human innovation in action that involves the generation of knowledge and processes to develop systems that solve problems and extend human capabilities. The innovation, change, or modification of the natural environment to satisfy perceived human needs and wants |
| theory | a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained |
| tissue | an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of organisms |
| trait | an inherited characteristic |
| transform | to change in composition or structure |
| virus | any of various submicroscopic pathogens consisting essentially of a particle of nucleic acid enclosed in protein and able to replicate only within a living cell |
| weather | the state of the atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or cloudiness |
