Investigation 4 Vocabulary

Front

What are circular pieces of genetic material found in bacteria and archaea?

Back

Plasmids are circular pieces of genetic material that can replicate independently of chromosomal DNA in bacteria and archaea.

Front

What are organisms called so small that a microscope must be used to view them?

Back

Microorganisms are tiny living organisms that can only be seen with a microscope.

Front

What is one group in the most currently accepted biological classification system called?

Back

Domain is a high-level taxonomic category that groups organisms based on fundamental similarities.

Front

What is the micro single-celled organism that has different molecules in the cell structures?

Back

Archaea are single-celled microorganisms that have distinct molecular characteristics in their cell structures.

Front

What is the basic building block of matter?

Back

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Front

What is the process by which cells divide to form new cells?

Back

Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-4

Front

What is the term for a group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function?

Back

A tissue is a group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-3

Front

What is the name of the structure that contains the genetic material in eukaryotic cells?

Back

The nucleus is the membrane-bound structure that contains the cell's genetic material.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

Front

What is the term for organisms that can make their own food using sunlight or chemical energy?

Back

Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Front

What is the term for organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms?

Back

Heterotrophs are organisms that obtain their food by consuming other living things.