Biology Review

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Biology Noun

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[by-ol-uh-jee]

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Biology

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The scientific study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution.

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Example: Biology is the study of life, using tools like microscopes to examine organisms, their genetics (DNA), cells (viruses), and chemistry (molecules).

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Organism Noun

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[or-guh-niz-uhm]

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Organism

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An individual living being, such as an animal, plant, or single-celled life form, that exhibits the properties of life.

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Example: This diagram shows that an organism, like a single fish, is the first level of organization in an ecosystem, representing one individual living being.

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Homeostasis Noun

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[hoh-mee-oh-stey-sis]

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Homeostasis

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The process by which an organism maintains a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

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Example: This diagram shows how the body maintains a stable temperature (homeostasis) by reacting to heat through sweating and to cold through shivering.

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Cell Noun

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[sel]

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Cell

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The smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, which is typically microscopic and consists of cytoplasm and a nucleus.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of an animal cell, labeling its main parts, called organelles, like the nucleus and mitochondria, which work together.

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Gene Noun

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[jeen]

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Gene

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A distinct sequence of nucleotides forming part of a chromosome, which determines a specific hereditary trait in an organism.

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Example: This diagram shows that a gene is a specific segment of a DNA molecule, which is tightly coiled into a chromosome inside a cell's nucleus.

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Chromosome Noun

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[kroh-muh-sohm]

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Chromosome

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A thread-like structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

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Example: This diagram shows that chromosomes are found inside a cell's nucleus and are made of tightly coiled DNA, with key parts like the centromere.

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Evolution Noun

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[ev-uh-loo-shuhn]

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Evolution

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The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms.

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Example: This diagram, a phylogenetic tree, shows how different groups of animals are related through common ancestors, with branches representing divergence over time.

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Natural Selection Noun

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[nach-er-uhl si-lek-shuhn]

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Natural Selection

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The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, passing on those traits.

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Example: This image shows different beak shapes in Darwin's finches, an example of how species adapt to their environment to better survive and reproduce.

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Adaptation Noun

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[ad-ap-tey-shuhn]

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Adaptation

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A heritable trait or characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its specific environment.

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Example: This moth's green color and wing shape are adaptations that camouflage it on a leaf, helping it hide from predators to survive.

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Population Noun

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[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

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Population

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A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same geographic area and can interbreed.

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Example: This diagram shows that a population is a group of organisms of the same species, like these fish, living together in an area.