Plants and Animals

Front

Tissue Noun

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[tish-oo]

Back

Tissue

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A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function in a living organism.

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Example: A diagram of skeletal muscle tissue showing how similar cells work together in a living organism.

Front

Vascular Plant Noun

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[vas-kyuh-ler plant]

Back

Vascular Plant

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A plant that has specialized tissues, like xylem and phloem, for transporting water, minerals, and food.

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Example: This image shows how water and nutrients move through a vascular plant using xylem and phloem.

Front

Nonvascular Plant Noun

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[non-vas-kyuh-ler plant]

Back

Nonvascular Plant

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A type of low-growing plant that lacks specialized vascular tissues for transporting essential materials like water.

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Example: This image shows moss, a nonvascular plant, which grows low and lacks specialized tissues for water transport.

Front

Vertebrate Noun

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[vur-tuh-brit]

Back

Vertebrate

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An animal that possesses a backbone or spinal column, which is part of an internal skeleton.

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Example: The skeleton of a frog shows its backbone, illustrating what makes it a vertebrate.

Front

Invertebrate Noun

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[in-vur-tuh-brit]

Back

Invertebrate

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An animal that does not have a backbone or spinal column, making up the vast majority of animal species.

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Example: The image shows the anatomy of a jellyfish, highlighting its invertebrate structure without a backbone.

Front

Organ Noun

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[or-gun]

Back

Organ

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A body structure made of different kinds of tissues that work together to perform a specific, complex function.

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Example: The image shows the stomach wall's layers, demonstrating how tissues work together as an organ.

Front

Mammal Noun

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[mam-uhl]

Back

Mammal

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A vertebrate that is an endotherm, has hair or fur, and produces milk to feed its young.

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Example: A cow is a mammal because it has fur and produces milk to feed its young.

Front

Symmetry Noun

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[sim-i-tree]

Back

Symmetry

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The balanced arrangement of an organism's body parts around a central point or along a central line.

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Example: A butterfly's wings are symmetrical, showing balance around a central line.

Front

Autotroph Noun

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[aw-toh-trohf]

Back

Autotroph

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An organism that produces its own food, usually through the process of photosynthesis; also known as a producer.

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Example: A plant uses sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce food through photosynthesis.

Front

Heterotroph Noun

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[het-er-uh-trohf]

Back

Heterotroph

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An organism that obtains energy by consuming other organisms because it cannot produce its own food.

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Example: A chameleon eating an insect shows how heterotrophs get energy from other organisms.