Final Exam 15-16
Vocabulary Review
seed
a plant embryo, its food supply, and a protective covering
daughter cells
the two new cells that result from mitosis and cytokinesis
genotype
an organism's complete set of genes
adaptation
an inherited trait that increases an organism's chance of surviving
and reproducing in a particular environment
mitosis
a process during which the nucleus and its contents divide
prokaryote
variety of one celled organisms that lack a distinct cell nucleus or
other structures bound by a membrane and that have DNA that is
not organized into chromosomes; reproduce asexually
diploid cell
a cell that has pairs of chromosomes
allele
any of the possible forms in which a gene for a specific trait can
occur; two of these for each trait are inherited, one from each
parent
gestation
period of time spent inside a parent by the young of an animal
before birth
mutation
a permanent change in the sequence of DNA, or the nucleotides,
in a gene or a chromosome
anther
pollen-bearing part of the upper end of the stamen of a flower
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid, nucleic acid that is the genetic material
determining the makeup of all living cells and many viruses.
Consists of two strands of nucleotides linked together in a
structure resembling a ladder twisted into a spiral, called a double
helix
protein
complex organic chemical compound which form the basis of all
living tissues; consist of chains of smaller compounds called amino
acids
haploid cell
a cell that has only one chromosome from each pair
selective breeding
the selection and breeding of organisms for desired traits
asexual reproduction
a type of reproduction in which one parent organism produces
offspring without meiosis and fertilization
dominant
relating to the form of a gene that expresses a trait, such as hair
color, in an individual organism
natural selection
process by which organisms with variations that help them survive
in their environment live longer, compete better, and reproduce
more than those that do not have the variation
sepal
one of the separate, usually green parts extending from the base
of a flower that usually acts a protection for a developing bud and
later as support structure for a flower
heterozygous
having a contrasting/different pair of genes (Bb) for a trait
egg
the female reproductive, or sex cell; forms in an ovary
sexual reproduction
type of reproduction in which the genetic material from two
different cells (a sperm and an egg) combine, producing an
offspring
nervous system
the part of an organism that gathers, processes, and responds to
information
Punnett square
a diagram that is used to predict an outcome of a particular cross
or breeding experiment
hibernation
a response in which an animal's body temperature, activity, heart
rate, and breathing rate decrease during periods of cold weather
embryo
an immature diploid plant that develops from the zygote
species
a group of organisms having many characteristics in common;
organisms that reproduce sexually and belong to the same group
that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
neuron
the basic functioning unit of the nervous system; a nerve cell
homeostasis
tendency of an organism or cell to regulate the chemical processes
that take place internally so as to maintain health and functioning,
regardless of outside conditions; such as the ability to maintain a
healthy body temperature
sperm
a male reproductive, or sex cell; forms in a testis
embryology
the branch of biology that deals with embryos and their
development
spore
a daughter cell produced from a haploid structure
behavior
the way an organism reacts to other organisms or to its
environment
nucleotide base
any group of organic compounds composed of several nitrogen
bases; adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T) and cytosine (C)
endoskeleton
a supporting framework in an animal that is contained inside the
body
homologous chromosomes
pairs of chromosomes that have genes for the same traits
arranged in the same order
brain stem
the area of the brain that controls involuntary functions
recessive
a form of a gene that is not expressed as a trait in an individual
unless two same genes are inherited, one from each parent
estivation
an inactive state resembling deep sleep, in which some animals
living in hot climates encounter during the summer; protects
animals against the heat and dryness of the summer
stamen
the male reproductive organ of a flower
homozygous
having two like genes for a hereditary trait (BB)
budding
the process during which a new organism grows by mitosis and
cell division on the body of its parent
organ
a group of different tissues working together to perform a
particular job
imprinting
behavior that occurs when an animal forms an attachment to an
organism or place within a specific time period after birth or
hatching
eukaryote
an organism whose cells contain a nucleus surrounded by a
membrane
camouflage
an adaptation that enables a species to blend in with its
environment
organ system
a group of organs that work together and perform a specific task
stigma
tip of a flower pistil on which pollen is deposited at the beginning
of pollination
exoskeleton
a hard, protective outer body covering an animal, such as an
insect, crustacean, or mollusk
zygote
the cell that forms when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell
cell
the basic unit of living matter in all organisms, consisting of
protoplasm enclosed within a cell membrane; there are two types
of cells, prokaryote (bacteria/algae) and eukaryote (animal/plant)
inheritance
the passing of traits from generation to generation
organism
an individual form of life composed of one or more cells capable
of growing and reproducing
eyespot
a form of mimicry in which there is a marking that resembles an
eye
regeneration
a type of asexual reproduction that occurs when an offspring
grows from a piece of its parent; cellular growth for the purpose
of replacement of organs, tissue, limbs, etc.. that have been lost
due to injury
fertilization
a reproductive process in which a sperm joins with an egg
innate behavior
a behavior that is inherited rather than learned
cell cycle
a cycle of growth, development, and division that most cells in an
organism go through
ovary
female reproductive organ that produces egg cells; structure
located at the base of the style of a flower that contains one or
more ovules
stimulus
a change in an organism's environment that causes a response
filament
the part of a stamen that supports the anther of a flower; the
stalk of a stamen
instinct
a complex pattern of innate behaviors
cellular respiration
a series of chemical reactions that convert the energy in food
molecules into a useable form of energy called ATP
vertebrate
any of a large group of animals having a backbone, including fish,
amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
system made up sensory and motor neurons that transmit
information between the central nervous system (CNS) and the
rest of the body
invertebrate
having no backbone or spinal column
fission
cell division that forms two genetically identical cells
central nervous system
system made up of the brain and spinal cord
phenotype
how a trait appears or is expressed
style
slender part of a flower pistil, extending from the ovary to the
stigma
fruit
plant structure that contains one or more seeds; develops from
the ovary and sometimes other parts of the flower
chromosome
a structure in all living cells that carries the genes that determine
heredity; thread-like strands of DNA and protein that are
contained in the nucleus. They occur in pairs in all of the cells of
eukaryotes except the reproductive cells. Humans have 23 pairs
(46 total).
meiosis
a process in which one diploid cell divides to make four haploid
sex cells
reptile
cold-blooded, vertebrate animals that have skin covered with
scales or horny plates, breathe air with lungs, and usually have a
three chambered heart
photosynthesis
a series of chemical reactions that convert light energy, water, and
carbon dioxide into the food energy molecule glucose and give off
oxygen
gene
a section of DNA on a chromosome that has genetic information
for one trait
cloning
a type of asexual reproduction performed in a laboratory that
produces identical individuals from a cell or a cluster of cells taken
from a multicellular organism
metamorphosis
a developmental process in which the body form of an animal
changes as it grows from an egg to an adult
conditioning
a way of learning new behaviors where a behavior is modified so
that a response to one stimulus becomes associated with a
different stimulus
pistil
female reproductive organ of a flower; aka carpel
migration
the instinctive, movement of a population of organisms from one
place to another and back for the purposes of food, reproduction,
more hospitable environment due to seasonal changes
genetic engineering
science of altering and cloning genes to produce a new trait in an
organism or to make a biological substance such as a protein or
hormone; mainly involves the creation of recombinant DNA,
which is then inserted into the genetic material of a cell or virus
tissue
a group of similar types of cells that work together to carry out
specific tasks
corolla
the petals of a flower considered as a group or unit
response
any behavior of a living organism that results from an external or
internal stimulus
vertebrae
any of the bones that make-up the vertebral column
mimicry
an adaptation in which one species looks like another species
often for defensive purposes
genetics
scientific study of the principles of heredity and the variation of
inherited traits among related organisms
cranium
the skull of a vertebrate animal which encloses and protects the
brain
trait
a distinguishing characteristic of an organism
probability
a number expressing the likelihood of the occurrence of a given
event, as in the likelihood of an offspring expressing a specific trait
RNA
ribonucleic acid, nucleic acid that determines protein synthesis in
all living cells and the genetic makeup of many viruses; consists of
a single strand of nucleotides
variation
a slight difference in an inherited trait among individual members
of a species
cross breed
to produce a hybrid animal or plant by breeding two animals or
two plants of different species or varieties