Glossary

Let's use this page to generate a list of some key vocabulary that we'll need to know for quizzes, tests, and the final exam!

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**How did WE define the following terms?**

=Scientific Method and Characteristics of Life= **Control Group - the test that does not change the independent variable. has "normal" results that the experimental group can be compared to (Amber) **

**Controlled Experiment - An expeiriment that has a control, and only one dependant variable (Tyler)**

toc **Dependent Variable - ** the factor that changes in value based on an independent variable(Leah)

**Experimental Group - the group that changes in a controlled experiment. the group you compare the control group with. (Lynsey) **

**Homeostasis -** ﻿the regulation of an organisms internal environment which helps maintain a stable and constant condition. An example is body temp. (Simone)

**Hypothesis** - An educated guess. A good scientific hypothesis must be both testable and falsifiable. (Mr. Hammer)

**Independent Variable -** What you change in an experiment (Blake)

= Chemical Basis of Life = **Acid -** ﻿a substance that is scaled with a pH lower than neutral number 7 (H20), the lower the pH number the stronger the acid is. (rhi)

**Activation Energy -** the minimum energy required to start a chemical reaction (krishna 6/15/11)

**Adhesion - water molecules stick to molecules of other substances, such as when water droplets stick to the side of a cup, because of their slightly polarized ends (Nour)**


 * Base - ﻿a substance that is scaled with a pH higher than neutral number 7 (h2o), the higher the pH number the stronger the base is. (rhi) **

**Capillary action-** H2O sticks together and pulls itself up dragging along the other H2O molecules with it. Capillary action explains how water enters roots. (Matt)

**Carbohydrate - sugars that mainly function as short term energy storage. Also provides cellular identification tags. Contains CH2O with the simplest units being monosaccharides while the larger chains are polysaccharides. Examples include glucose and fructose as the monomers. Starch and Glycogen would be examples of the polymers. (Katsiaryna).**

**Cholesterol -** A white crystalline substance found in animal tissues and various foods, normally synthesized by the liver and important as a constituent of cell membranes and a precursor to steroid hormones(aramis)

**Cohesion-** H2O sticking together by hydrogen bonds, causes H2O to form droplets and gives water its surface tension (Katsiaryna)

**Denaturing - an enzyme normally holds a shape with an active site shaped perfctly for a specific reaction and the substrates needed. In the intance of heat the shape can be temporarily, or in extreme cases, permanently, denatured, or changed. (Rhi)**

**Enzyme -** a protein found in cells that serves as a catalyst for chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. Enzyme animation. (Jon)

**Hydrogen bond - A weak bond between two hydrogen atoms with slight charges. Ex. Cohesion and the bond between bases in DNA (Blake)**

**Monosaccharide -** simple sugar, such as glucose or fructose, that does not hydrolyse to yield other sugars(Aramis)


 * Nucleic Acid - **

**Nucleotide -** organic compound made up of nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate group. Nucleotides are the monomers of nucleic acids.(Aramis)

**Organic molecule - a molecule that contains the element carbon (Nour)**

**pH -** the measurement of the acidity or alkalinity (basic) a solution is. It measures from 0-14. Neutral has a pH of 7. Acidic solution has a value less than 7; likewise, basic solution has a value greater than 7. Acidic water contains extra hydrogen ions (H+) and basic water contains extra hydroxyl (OH-) ions. Examples of acidic solutions are battery acid, lemon acid, and vinegar. Examples of alkaline solutions are baking soda, sea water, ammonia, and lye. (Kristi)

**Polar molecule -** A molecule that has slightly charged ends due to electrons being exchanged unevenly during a covalent bond; water is an example of this (the hydrogen end having a slightly positive charge, the oxygen end being slightly negative) (James)


 * Saturated fatty acid - A fatty acid which does has **** the maximum number of hydrogen atoms. This causes it to bend in such a way that makes it easy to store. (Blake) **

**Solute - A small component of a mixture, disolved into the solvent. (Tyler Contento)** **﻿**
 * Solvent - a liquid, solid, or gas that dissolves another solid, liquid, or gaseous solute. (Simone) **

**Substrate - ﻿a molecule acted on by an enzyme. It fits onto the active site to be either joined to another substrate, or broken down into multiple parts (Rhi)**

**Surface Tension -**The tension of the surface film of a liquid caused by the attraction of the particles in the surface layer by the bulk of the liquid, which tends to minimize surface area. (Tyler)

**﻿**
 * Unsaturated fatty acid - a fatty acid that has fewer hydrogen atoms and is double bonded, it is liquid at room temperature, an example is oil (Amber) **

= Evolution = **Adaptation - the traits of behavior, physically, or structure of an organism which makes them better suited for their environment (Morgan Brady)**


 * Analogous Structures - ﻿Structures that are similar in function in 2+ organisms that are not derived from a common ancestor; present in examples of convergent evolution. (Rachel) **


 * Artificial Selection - ﻿The intentional reproduction of organisms by humans to select desirable traits. (Rachel) **


 * Biogeography - ﻿The study of the distribution of plants and animals around the world(Axel O) **

**Convergent Evolution - When two species do not have a common ancestor, but evolve to have similarities, i.e. bone structure. (Matthew Post)**


 * Divergent Evolution - When two different species evolve from a common ancestor, but end up being different from one another - Jon Heutmaker ﻿**


 * Homologous Structures - ﻿Same parts/structure but different functions. For example, human arm and horse leg have the same bones but are used differently. Shows Divergent evolution. (Axel O) **


 * Natural Selection - ﻿The basis for evolution. States individuals in population show variation, variation can be inherited, organisms have more offspring that can survive, and that variations that increase reproductive success/survival will have greater chance than others(Axel O) **

**Vestigial Structures - ﻿a structure in an organism that has little or no function [ex. appendix in humans] that is a remnant of ancestral species. (Rachel)** = Classification and Taxonomy = **Binomial Nomenclature - The formal system of naming species of living things. This was created by Carl Linnaeus. The genus name is first followed by the specific name. Ex: Human beings belong to genus //Homo// an the specific name is //sapiens.// (Melinda King)**


 * Eukaryote - an organism which has a nucleus as well as cell membranes lining the nucleus and structures. (Leah) ﻿**

= Cell Theory and Cell Transport =
 * Prokaryote - ﻿a group of organisms that lack a cell neucleus. (Simone) **
 * Active Transport - ** The movement of molecules AGAINST the concentration gradient, travels LOW to HIGH. Due to the movement against the concentration gradient, energy (ATP) is required. This changes the shape of the protein pump. (Katsiaryna) Animation!


 * Cell Membrane - ﻿The outermost layer of the cell that dictates what enters and exits the cell (Griffith) **


 * Cell Theory - ﻿This is on of the foundations of Biology. It states that cells are the basic units of life and that cells come from already existing cells. They are found in all living organisms. (Melinda King) **

**Cell Wall - found in plants, bacteria, and fungi and is the outermost layer of the cell and is used for protection (benedetti)**


 * Central Vacuole - Found in plant cells, and is larger than the vacuoles in animal cells. It it used to store water and to regulate turgur pressure and also to keep the cell rigid (Blake) **


 * Centriole - ﻿a barrel-shapped cell structure found in most animal eukaryotic cells. they are involved in the organization of the mitotic spindle and the completion of cytokinesis. (Simone) **


 * Chloroplast - an organelle found in plants and some eukaryotes which is the site of photosynthesis. Chloroplast are used to make energy fpr the plant.(benedetti) **


 * Cilia - usually found on eukaryotic cells, tiny hair-like structures that aid the organism/cell in moving Cilia (Amber) **


 * Diffusion - the net movement of particles to an area with fewer particles of the substance from an area where there are more particles of that substance [|Diffusion](Nour) **


 * Endocytosis - the process in which material can get into a cellular membrane by "pushing its way in" and forming a membrane of its own around itself once inside the cell (vacuole); there are two different kinds of endocytosis : pinocytosis (cell-eating) and phagocytosis (cell-drinking) [|Endocytosis] (Amber) **


 * Exocytosis - the process in which a material leaves a cell. vesicles fuse with the cell membrane and release the contents of the vesicle. (Leah) **


 * Facilitated Diffusion -the process where a special carrier protein acts as a selective corridor for certain molecules to pass across the membrane. Certain protein channels are only customized for specific molecules, for example a sugar channel will only let the sugar molecule pass. Animation (: (Katsiaryna) **

**Flagellum -** a whip-like tail that helps the cell move (Elena)

**Hypertonic solution - A solution that is higher concentrated in salt then the normal cell. (Matthew Post)**


 * Hypotonic solution - A solution that has a lower concentration of water in the cell, therefore causing the water from the higher concentration outside of the cell to enter it through osmosis. This causes the cell to swell and burst. For example, if a blood cell in 30% water while the solution it is in is 80% water, the water from the outside will enter the blood cell because it is a hypotonic solution. (Katsiaryna). **

**Isotonic solution - When the concentration inside of a membrane equals the concentration in the solution; molecule movement through the membrane doesn't end, the rate in which molecules enter the cell is equal to the rate in which it leaves (James)**

**Lysosome - single membrane bound vesticular organelles which contain hydrolytic enzymes. These enzymes break down proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Also, lysosomes play a role in autolysis (cell death) when the cell is not longer functional. The enzymes are formed within the Endoplasmic Reticulum and are transported to the Golgi Apparatus where lysosomes are developed. ( Kristi) [|Lysosome Animation]**


 * Mitochondrion - ﻿The "powerhouse" of the cell, produces ATP [|Mitochondira Image] (Elena) **


 * Nucleolus - ﻿A small structure within the nucleus containing RNA and proteins, where ribosomes are produced (Jon) **


 * Nucleus - found in eukaryotic cells. contains the genetic material of the cells. it's almost like the 'brain' of the cell, like the control center. (Melinda King) **

**Osmosis - the movement of solvent molecules through a selectivly permeable membrane into a region of higher concentration (Chris G)**

**Passive transport -** transport that goes from high to low and does not require energy (simone).

**Phospholipid -** Any of various phosphorous-containing lipids that are composed mainly of fatty acids, a phosphate group, and a simple organic molecule.(aramis)

 (benedetti).
 * Plasmolysis ** Shrinkage or contraction of the protoplasm away from the wall ofa living plant or bacterial cell, caused by loss of water through osmosis


 * Ribosome - the protein builders of the cell. They are located in many places around the cell. Other ribosomes are found on the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The ribosome is made up of two pieces or subunits. The subunits are 60-S(large) and ** **40-S (small). When the cell makes protein, the subunits come together and lock into the mRNA and start protein synthesis. (Kristi) [|Description of Ribosome]**

**Rough endoplasmic reticulum - organelle that synthesizes and packages proteins and is covered in ribosomes that build amino acid chains. (Lynsey)**

**Smooth endoplasmic reticulum - a storage organelle that synthesizes lipids and steroids, functions as a packaging system, and functions in several metobolic processes. (Lynsey)**


 * Vacuole - ** Organelle mainly found in plants and fungi that is used to contain waste and to hold liquids(Axel O)


 * Vesicle - ** a small bladderlike cavity, especially one filledwith fluid(benedetti)

**Cellular Reproduction**
 * Anaphase - a stage in mitosis or meiosis, where the chromatids seperate and move to opposite ends of the cell (poles). (krishna) **


 * Anaphase I - ** This is the stage where the homologous chromosomes are separated and pulled to opposite poles. This halves the chromosome number however each chromosome is still composed of two sister chromatids. The cell membrane starts to prepare for its separation at the equator to form two cells.(benedetti)


 * Anaphase II - ** Here the centromere devised as a result of the spindle microtubules pulling each sister chromatid to opposite poles in both cells. Each sister chromatid then becomes a chromosome (benedetti)


 * Cancer - is when a cell has went bad, (meaning) not divided the right way and is still reproducing in the cell cycle (Ronneka) **


 * Cell Cycle - events that lead to division and duplication of the cell [|visual] (brady)﻿ **


 * Centromere - **


 * Chromosome - a structure that consists of DNA spiraled that contains genes and effects the traits a person expresses (Chris G) **

**Crossing over - When a pair of homologous chromosomes transfer chromosomal segments during prophase I or meisois (matt)**


 * Cytokinesis -The last phase of cellular reproduction when the cytoplasm divides in two identical daughter cells. (Lynsey) **


 * Diploid - A cell which contains two sets of chromosomes, in humans if n=23 chromosomes a diploid cell's equation would be 2n=46. **

**Down syndrome - when a baby is born with an extra copy of the 21st chromosome (Darren)**


 * G0 phase - **

**G1 phase - The phase of Meiosis when the cell grows and develops (Darren)**


 * G2 phase - ﻿the third and final subphase of interphase in the cell cycle. the first phase of mitosis takes place in which the cells chromatin condenses into chromosomes and the nuclear envelope starts to break down. (Simone) **


 * Haploid - having one complete set of chromosomes (benedetti) **


 * Homologous chromosomes - when the two alleles are both the same ex. TT/tt (Ronneka) **

[] (sarah fisher)
 * Meiosis - ** The second stage of cell division during which the chromosomes become attached to the spindle fibers.


 * Metaphase - **

**Metaphase I -**Here the paired up homologous chromosomes line up at the equator and the spindle fibbers attach to the chromosomes in a way that ensures that for each homologous pair, one chromosome moved to one pole and the other moves to the opposite pole. (benedetti)

**Metaphase II -**Here the chromosomes in each cell line up at the equator and the spindle microtubules attach to the centromere of each chromosome.(benedetti)

**Mitosis - a way of cell reproduction that is born as the same as the parent (Darren)**

**Nondisjunction - failure of chromosomes to seperate properly during meiosis (brady)**

**Prophase -** the first stage of cell division, before metaphase, during which the chromosomes become visible as paired chromatids and the nuclear envelope disappears. [] (sarah fisher)

**Prophase I - When the cell in Mitosis copies its genes and crossing over occurs (Darren)**


 * Prophase II - **

**Proto-oncogene - a normal gene which, when altered by mutation, becomes an oncogene that can contribute to cancer. Proto-oncogene have different functions within a cell. Some provide signals for cell division. Other proto-oncogenes regulate programmed cell death ( apoptosis). (Kristi) [|Description!]**

**S Phase** - is short for synthesis phase; a period in the cell cycle during interphase, between G1 phase and the G2 phase. After G1, the cell enters the S stage, when DNA synthesis or replication occurs [] (sarah fisher )

**Sister chromatid - the two identical chromatins connected by a centromere (brady)**

**Telophase -** The final stage of mitosis or meiosis during which the chromosomes of daughter cells are grouped in new nuclei. [] (sarah fisher)

**Telophase I - the stage in meiosis where the two daughter cells are** **dividing and have two copies each (Ronneka Haynes)**


 * Telophase II - **

**Tumor suppressor gene - a gene that prohibits unrestrained cell division. When it is inactivated by mutations, cells are at risk of dividing rapidly and becoming malignant (Jon Heutmaker)**

=﻿Genetics= **Allele -**any of several forms of a gene, usually arising through mutation, that are responsible for hereditary variation.(benedetti)

**Autosome -** <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">anychromosomeotherthana __<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">[|sex] __<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">chromosome. (benedetti)

**Homozygous - having either both dominant alleles or both recessive alleles for a trait (Nour)**
 * Carrier **
 * Chromosome **
 * Codominance **
 * Dominant Allele **
 * Gene **
 * Genotype **
 * Heterozygous - a hybrid, having both a dominant and recessive allele for a certain trait , means that the person is a carrier (Amber) **
 * Incomplete dominance **
 * Law of Independent Assortment **
 * Law of Segregation **
 * Leth al allele- a dominant trait. if you are homologous for them you are not compatible with life. (LEAh) **
 * Multiple alleles **
 * Pedigree **
 * Phenotype- the observable trait or characteristic; the organism's physical appearance. (Lynsey) **
 * Punnett square **
 * Trait ﻿- A physical characteristic such as heair color, height, or eye color. The instructions for each trait is located in chromosomes. (Axel O) **
 * Sex-linked trait- a trait is only on the x chromosome. for a girl to have one, her mom must be at least carrying and her dad must have and show it. for a boy to have it his mother must carry it. males can not be carriers of sex-linked traits because they only have one X chromosome. Leah **

=Molecular Biology= = = **Anticodon - A set of three bases that correspond to the codons on the mRNA. The tRNA use the bond between the codon and the anticodon to bring the proper amino acids into place for protein synthesis** (Blake)

**Avery experiment**

**Base pairs**

**Central dogma of biology**

**Chargaff’s rules - describes that the ratios between one nucleic base are similar to the other base in the pair. A=T and G=C, this aided in the discovery of the structure of DNA. (Kristi)** <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. **Codon -** <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">atripletofadjacent <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> nucleotides in __<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">[|the] __<span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> messenger RNA chain that__<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">[|codes] __ for a <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">specific <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> amino acid in the __<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">[|synthesis] __<span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> of a protein molecule.(benedetti)

**DNA**

**DNA fingerprinting**

**DNA polymerase**

**Gel electrophoresis**

**Genetic code**

**Genetic engineering**

**Griffithexperiment**

**Helicase**

**Hershey & Chase experiment**

**Lagging strand**

**Leading strand**

**Ligase -** <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">anyofaclassof <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> enzymes that catalyze __<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">[|the] __<span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> joining of two <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">molecules <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> by <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">formation <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> of a covalent bond accompanied by the <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">hydrolysis <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> of <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">ATP. (benedetti)

**mRNA**

**Missense mutation**

**Mutation- When the dna is being copied something changes altering the original form (matthew post)**

**Nonsense mutation**

**Okazaki fragment**

**Primase**

**Restriction enzyme**

**RNA**

**RNA Polymerase**

**Silent mutation- a form of point mutation in which a nucleotide is changed in a protein, but it does not change the amino acid sequence of the protein (Jon Heutmaker) **

**Sticky ends**

**tRNA**

**Transcription** - process that occurs in the nucleus of a cell during protein synthesis; DNA splits and mRNA forms using RNA polymerase from original strand of DNA as a template and is sent to the ribosome (James)

**Translation** - process that occurs in the ribosome of a cell during protein synthesis; tRNA anti-codons are formed using mRNA made during transcription

**Uracil** = = =Bioenergetics= = = **Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)- energy (brady)** **Autotroph- organism that produces compounds such as carbs, fats, and proteins (brady)** **Cuticle - Waxy layer on top of the Epidermis on a leaf, protects the skin (benedetti)** **Grana- plural form of granum. Granum is a single stack of thylakoids. There can be from 2 to 100 thylakoids in one granum. (Kristi)** **Guard cells- regulate the opening and closing of the stomata in a leaf (brady)** **Heterotroph - an organism that cannot make it's own food through energy received (photosynthesis with chloroplasts) (Nour)** **Matrix - Watery space of mitochondria that contains enzymes, DNA and ribosomes. (Rachel)** **Photosynthesis - Chemical process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, such as sugars, to be used for food, using the sun's energy. Animation (Rachel)** **Stomate -**<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">a minute <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">epidermal pore in a leaf or stem through which gasesand <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">water vapor can pass (benedetti)
 * Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) **
 * Aerobic **
 * Alcoholic fermentation **
 * Anaerobic **
 * Cellular respiration **
 * Chlorophyll **
 * Chloroplast **
 * Endergonic reaction **
 * Electron transport chain **
 * Exergonic reaction **
 * Glycolysis **
 * Inner membrane of mitochondria **
 * Krebs cycle **
 * Lactic acid fermentation **
 * Light-dependent reactions **
 * Light-independent reactions **
 * Palisade layer **
 * Phloem **
 * Spongy mesophyll layer **

**Vascular bundle- the xylem and phylem in a leaf (brady)** **Xylem - Through the xylem, capillary action transports water and soluble nutrients to the rest of the plant. (Rachel)**
 * Thylakoid **
 * Transpiration **