Here is a list of biology terms for all the cores and the genetics option. If I have missed out on some terms, have inaccurate meanings, or you think you have a better one, please leave a post.
Hope you enjoy
Biology terminology
Core 1- Maintaining a Balance
Metabolism
All the chemical processes that occur within an organism
Enzymes
A special large protein that catalyses reaction
Catalyst
Control the rate of reaction
Substrates
Molecules on which the enzyme acts on
Active site
Site of reaction between enzymes and substrates
Denature
A permanent change to the enzyme structure making it ineffective
Co-enzymes
Chemicals that assist enzyme reaction
Homeostasis
Process which organisms maintain a stable internal environment
Stimulus
Information that provokes a response
Receptor
Organ that detects stimulus
Effector
A muscle which brings out a response to stimulus
Nervous system
Brain and its communication to the sensory system
Central nervous system (CNS)
Consists of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Nerves that are connected to receptors and effectors
Endocrine system
System that produces hormones
Ambient temperature
Temperature of the environment
Ectotherms
Organisms that have little control over body temperature
Endotherms
Organisms which metabolism maintains body temperature
Hibernation
Process where metabolism slows and the animal shelters to survive cold conditions
Migration
Organisms moving location to avoid extreme temperatures
Aestivation
Animals which ‘hibernate’ in hot conditions
Vernalisation
Process in which some plants must undergo cold conditions before flowering
Plasma
Liquid in blood which compromises 90% water and various ions
Red blood cells (RBC)
Cells that carry oxygen around the body through hemoglobin
White blood cells (WBC)
Cells that fight off infections
Phagocytes
WBC’s that ingest pathogens
Lymphocytes
WBC’s that act against specific pathogens, through using antibodies
Platelets
Fragments of cells that assist in blood clotting
Lymph
Blood without RBC’s, platelets or plasma proteins
Arteries
Thick walled blood vessels that send O₂ rich blood around the body
Veins
Thin walled blood vessels that return O₂ depleted blood back to the heart
Capillaries
Small blood vessels that surround tissue cells
Lymph vessels
Vessels that transport lymph
Pulmonary circuit
The heart-lung circuit of blood
Systematic circuit
The heart-body circuit of blood
Glycogen
Excess glucose stored in the liver
Deamination
Converting amino-acids to urea and other useable products
Xylem
Plant part that transports water and mineral ions
Phloem
Plant part that transports organic materials
Pits
Oval area in xylem where cell wall is very thin
Transpiration
Evaporation of water through stomates
Capillarity
Movement through narrow tubes
Translocation
Movement of organic plant material through phloem
Apoplastic loading
Process where nutrients move along a pathway through cell walls until they reach the sieve element
Symplastic loading
Process where nutrients move from mesophyl cells to sieve cells through a plasdomata
Sink
Region of plant where sugar is actively removed
Osmoregulation
Regulation of water and salt concentrations in the body
Nephrons
Small filtering unit in the kidney
Filtration
Passive removal of wastes through a selectively permeable membrane
Glomerulus
A network of capillaries at the Bowman’s capsule
Glomerular filtrate
Small soluble molecules which pass through the process of passive filtration
Secretion
Selective process where the body actively transports substances from the blood into a nephron
Loop of Henle
Part of the kidney where salt and water passively transport out
Proximal tubule
1st tubule where urea is actively transported in
Distal tubule
2nd tubule where selective reabsorbtion and secretion adjust pH
Endosytosis
Type of active transport
Feedback systems
Systems that use hormones as a response to stimulus
Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)
A hormone that controls reabsorbtion of water
Aldosterone
A hormone that controls reabsorbtion of salt
Estuary
Where a river meets a sea
Entantiostasis
Maintenance of metabolic and physiological functions in response to variations in the environment
Core 2- Blueprint of Life
Evolution
Change in organisms over generations
Paleontology
The study of fossils
Transitional forms
Fossils of organisms that support the idea of common ancestors
Biogeography
Study of distribution of living things
Comparative embryology
Comparing embryo’s of different organisms
Comparative anatomy
Comparing structure of different organisms
Convergent evolution
Evolution by similar adaption’s in different species from living in similar environments
Divergent evolution
Evolution where similar species have different adaption’s due to living in different environments
Dominant gene
The gene that is expressed in heterozygous individuals
Recessive gene
The gene that is not expressed in heterozygous individuals
Homozygous
Both alleles are the same for the one gene
Heterozygous
Two different alleles for the one gene
Alleles
Traits that bring forth a characteristic. May be recessive or dominant
Genotype
Genetic composition of an organism
Phenotype
Appearance of an organism
Gene
Part of DNA that instructs specified protein construction
Law of Segregation
“Factors for the same characteristic occurs in pairs”
Sutton-Boveri Theory
The chromosomal theory of inheritance
Nucleotides
Consists of one sugar, one phosphate, and one base
Crossing over
When chromosome material is exchanged in meiosis
Replication fork
When the two DNA strands unzip
Transcription
Process where information is copied from DNA onto RNA
Translation
Process where information from RNA is used to make polypeptide chains
DNA
Molecule that carry’s genetic information
mRNA
Carry’s information from DNA to ribosome’s
tRNA
Brings amino-acids to ribosome’s to build polypeptide chains
Ribosomes
Site for polypeptide synthesis
Mutation
A change in the genetic material
Mutagen
Factors that cause mutations
Induced mutations
A genetic change deliberately produced by use of mutagens
Theory of Punctuated equilibrium
Rapid evolution after long periods of stability
Selective breeding
Deliberately mating animals for specific characteristics
Artificial insemination
Injecting male semen into a female
Cloning
Method of producing genetically identical organisms
Biotechnology
Deliberately changing living organisms at a molecular level
Genetic engineering
Altering genes by using biotechnology
Recombinant DNA
New DNA made by combining different DNA pieces
Transgenic species
Species that contains genetic material from multiple other species
Hybrid
An individual resulting from two different parents
Core 3- Search for Better Health
Health
State of normal functioning
Disease
State of impaired functioning
Proto-oncogenes
Produce proteins that stimulate cell growth and division
Tumour suppressor genes
Produce proteins that slow down cell growth and division
Oncogenes
Mutated proto-oncogenes
Pathogen
Infective agents that cause disease
Spontaneous generation
Theory that living things came into existence from non-living matter
Germ Theory of Disease
Theory that infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms called germs
Vaccination/Immunisation
Injecting weakened pathogens into organisms to create long-lasting immunity
Antigen
Substances that trigger an immune response
Phagocytosis
Process where phagocytes ingest pathogens
Phagocytes
WBC’s that engulf pathogens
Macrophages
A type of phagocyte
Lymphocytes
WBC’s that produce T and B cells
Antibodies
Antigen specific substances that are produced by B cells
B Cells
Cells that produce antibodies
T Cells
Lymphocytes that fight against pathogens
Epidemiology
The study of diseases in populations
Quarantine
A period of isolation used to prevent disease spread
Infectious disease
Disease caused by infecting organisms
Non-infectious diseases
Disease not caused by pathogens but by environmental and inherited conditions
Option- Genetics
Codon
A triplet of bases
Trait
Characteristics or feature of an organism
Polygenes
The interaction of a many genes
Polygenic inheritance
Traits expressed based on polygenes
Discontinuous variation
Clear-cut traits based on only one allele
Continuous variation
Characteristics based on polygenes
DNA fingerprinting
Process of using non-coding regions of DNA to identify individuals
Meiosis
Process in sexual reproduction where diploid cells (2n) divide to form haploid cells (n)
Diploid cells (2n)
Cells that contain the full complement of chromosomes
Haploid cells (n)
Cells that contain half the number of chromosomes that are found in diploid cells
Somatic cells
Body cells
Gametic cells
Cells used in sexual reproduction
Law of Independent Assortment
“either allele of a gene pair can combine with either allele of another gene pair”
Linked genes
Genes on the same chromosome
Chromosome mapping
Studying the frequency of recombination of characteristics in organisms
Genome
All the genetic material of a species
Human Genome Project
A project to identify all 30,000 human genes and sequences of the bases in DNA
Recombinant DNA
Produced in cells as a result of chromosomes crossing over, combining DNA
Restriction mapping
DNA is cut into fragments by a restriction enzyme
DNA sequencing
Genes are identified by using genetic probes in hybridization experiments
Gene therapy
Treatment of disease by correcting faulty genes
Mutations
Any permanent change in DNA
Polyploidy
A condition where the individual has an extra set of chromosomes
‘Jumping DNA’
DNA that moves from one position in DNA to another
Germ cells
Cells that from sperm or eggs
Selective breeding
Deliberately mating animals for specific characteristics
Clone
Exact genetic copy DNA
Morphogenesis
Development of structure of an organism
Homeotic genes
Genes that determine which parts of your body form what parts
Homeobox/ Hox genes
The common sequence of DNA
Homology
Similarity shown in a characteristic in different organisms because of a common ancestry
Homologous features
Similar structures that have a common evolutionary origin
Cell division terms:
Determination
Point where role of cell is determined and cannot be reversed
Induction
Ability of cell to influence the development of neighbouring cells
Differentiation
Process by which similar cells become specialised
Hope you enjoy
Biology terminology
Core 1- Maintaining a Balance
Metabolism
All the chemical processes that occur within an organism
Enzymes
A special large protein that catalyses reaction
Catalyst
Control the rate of reaction
Substrates
Molecules on which the enzyme acts on
Active site
Site of reaction between enzymes and substrates
Denature
A permanent change to the enzyme structure making it ineffective
Co-enzymes
Chemicals that assist enzyme reaction
Homeostasis
Process which organisms maintain a stable internal environment
Stimulus
Information that provokes a response
Receptor
Organ that detects stimulus
Effector
A muscle which brings out a response to stimulus
Nervous system
Brain and its communication to the sensory system
Central nervous system (CNS)
Consists of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Nerves that are connected to receptors and effectors
Endocrine system
System that produces hormones
Ambient temperature
Temperature of the environment
Ectotherms
Organisms that have little control over body temperature
Endotherms
Organisms which metabolism maintains body temperature
Hibernation
Process where metabolism slows and the animal shelters to survive cold conditions
Migration
Organisms moving location to avoid extreme temperatures
Aestivation
Animals which ‘hibernate’ in hot conditions
Vernalisation
Process in which some plants must undergo cold conditions before flowering
Plasma
Liquid in blood which compromises 90% water and various ions
Red blood cells (RBC)
Cells that carry oxygen around the body through hemoglobin
White blood cells (WBC)
Cells that fight off infections
Phagocytes
WBC’s that ingest pathogens
Lymphocytes
WBC’s that act against specific pathogens, through using antibodies
Platelets
Fragments of cells that assist in blood clotting
Lymph
Blood without RBC’s, platelets or plasma proteins
Arteries
Thick walled blood vessels that send O₂ rich blood around the body
Veins
Thin walled blood vessels that return O₂ depleted blood back to the heart
Capillaries
Small blood vessels that surround tissue cells
Lymph vessels
Vessels that transport lymph
Pulmonary circuit
The heart-lung circuit of blood
Systematic circuit
The heart-body circuit of blood
Glycogen
Excess glucose stored in the liver
Deamination
Converting amino-acids to urea and other useable products
Xylem
Plant part that transports water and mineral ions
Phloem
Plant part that transports organic materials
Pits
Oval area in xylem where cell wall is very thin
Transpiration
Evaporation of water through stomates
Capillarity
Movement through narrow tubes
Translocation
Movement of organic plant material through phloem
Apoplastic loading
Process where nutrients move along a pathway through cell walls until they reach the sieve element
Symplastic loading
Process where nutrients move from mesophyl cells to sieve cells through a plasdomata
Sink
Region of plant where sugar is actively removed
Osmoregulation
Regulation of water and salt concentrations in the body
Nephrons
Small filtering unit in the kidney
Filtration
Passive removal of wastes through a selectively permeable membrane
Glomerulus
A network of capillaries at the Bowman’s capsule
Glomerular filtrate
Small soluble molecules which pass through the process of passive filtration
Secretion
Selective process where the body actively transports substances from the blood into a nephron
Loop of Henle
Part of the kidney where salt and water passively transport out
Proximal tubule
1st tubule where urea is actively transported in
Distal tubule
2nd tubule where selective reabsorbtion and secretion adjust pH
Endosytosis
Type of active transport
Feedback systems
Systems that use hormones as a response to stimulus
Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)
A hormone that controls reabsorbtion of water
Aldosterone
A hormone that controls reabsorbtion of salt
Estuary
Where a river meets a sea
Entantiostasis
Maintenance of metabolic and physiological functions in response to variations in the environment
Core 2- Blueprint of Life
Evolution
Change in organisms over generations
Paleontology
The study of fossils
Transitional forms
Fossils of organisms that support the idea of common ancestors
Biogeography
Study of distribution of living things
Comparative embryology
Comparing embryo’s of different organisms
Comparative anatomy
Comparing structure of different organisms
Convergent evolution
Evolution by similar adaption’s in different species from living in similar environments
Divergent evolution
Evolution where similar species have different adaption’s due to living in different environments
Dominant gene
The gene that is expressed in heterozygous individuals
Recessive gene
The gene that is not expressed in heterozygous individuals
Homozygous
Both alleles are the same for the one gene
Heterozygous
Two different alleles for the one gene
Alleles
Traits that bring forth a characteristic. May be recessive or dominant
Genotype
Genetic composition of an organism
Phenotype
Appearance of an organism
Gene
Part of DNA that instructs specified protein construction
Law of Segregation
“Factors for the same characteristic occurs in pairs”
Sutton-Boveri Theory
The chromosomal theory of inheritance
Nucleotides
Consists of one sugar, one phosphate, and one base
Crossing over
When chromosome material is exchanged in meiosis
Replication fork
When the two DNA strands unzip
Transcription
Process where information is copied from DNA onto RNA
Translation
Process where information from RNA is used to make polypeptide chains
DNA
Molecule that carry’s genetic information
mRNA
Carry’s information from DNA to ribosome’s
tRNA
Brings amino-acids to ribosome’s to build polypeptide chains
Ribosomes
Site for polypeptide synthesis
Mutation
A change in the genetic material
Mutagen
Factors that cause mutations
Induced mutations
A genetic change deliberately produced by use of mutagens
Theory of Punctuated equilibrium
Rapid evolution after long periods of stability
Selective breeding
Deliberately mating animals for specific characteristics
Artificial insemination
Injecting male semen into a female
Cloning
Method of producing genetically identical organisms
Biotechnology
Deliberately changing living organisms at a molecular level
Genetic engineering
Altering genes by using biotechnology
Recombinant DNA
New DNA made by combining different DNA pieces
Transgenic species
Species that contains genetic material from multiple other species
Hybrid
An individual resulting from two different parents
Core 3- Search for Better Health
Health
State of normal functioning
Disease
State of impaired functioning
Proto-oncogenes
Produce proteins that stimulate cell growth and division
Tumour suppressor genes
Produce proteins that slow down cell growth and division
Oncogenes
Mutated proto-oncogenes
Pathogen
Infective agents that cause disease
Spontaneous generation
Theory that living things came into existence from non-living matter
Germ Theory of Disease
Theory that infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms called germs
Vaccination/Immunisation
Injecting weakened pathogens into organisms to create long-lasting immunity
Antigen
Substances that trigger an immune response
Phagocytosis
Process where phagocytes ingest pathogens
Phagocytes
WBC’s that engulf pathogens
Macrophages
A type of phagocyte
Lymphocytes
WBC’s that produce T and B cells
Antibodies
Antigen specific substances that are produced by B cells
B Cells
Cells that produce antibodies
T Cells
Lymphocytes that fight against pathogens
Epidemiology
The study of diseases in populations
Quarantine
A period of isolation used to prevent disease spread
Infectious disease
Disease caused by infecting organisms
Non-infectious diseases
Disease not caused by pathogens but by environmental and inherited conditions
Option- Genetics
Codon
A triplet of bases
Trait
Characteristics or feature of an organism
Polygenes
The interaction of a many genes
Polygenic inheritance
Traits expressed based on polygenes
Discontinuous variation
Clear-cut traits based on only one allele
Continuous variation
Characteristics based on polygenes
DNA fingerprinting
Process of using non-coding regions of DNA to identify individuals
Meiosis
Process in sexual reproduction where diploid cells (2n) divide to form haploid cells (n)
Diploid cells (2n)
Cells that contain the full complement of chromosomes
Haploid cells (n)
Cells that contain half the number of chromosomes that are found in diploid cells
Somatic cells
Body cells
Gametic cells
Cells used in sexual reproduction
Law of Independent Assortment
“either allele of a gene pair can combine with either allele of another gene pair”
Linked genes
Genes on the same chromosome
Chromosome mapping
Studying the frequency of recombination of characteristics in organisms
Genome
All the genetic material of a species
Human Genome Project
A project to identify all 30,000 human genes and sequences of the bases in DNA
Recombinant DNA
Produced in cells as a result of chromosomes crossing over, combining DNA
Restriction mapping
DNA is cut into fragments by a restriction enzyme
DNA sequencing
Genes are identified by using genetic probes in hybridization experiments
Gene therapy
Treatment of disease by correcting faulty genes
Mutations
Any permanent change in DNA
Polyploidy
A condition where the individual has an extra set of chromosomes
‘Jumping DNA’
DNA that moves from one position in DNA to another
Germ cells
Cells that from sperm or eggs
Selective breeding
Deliberately mating animals for specific characteristics
Clone
Exact genetic copy DNA
Morphogenesis
Development of structure of an organism
Homeotic genes
Genes that determine which parts of your body form what parts
Homeobox/ Hox genes
The common sequence of DNA
Homology
Similarity shown in a characteristic in different organisms because of a common ancestry
Homologous features
Similar structures that have a common evolutionary origin
Cell division terms:
Determination
Point where role of cell is determined and cannot be reversed
Induction
Ability of cell to influence the development of neighbouring cells
Differentiation
Process by which similar cells become specialised