Biology: English Vocabulary List

a living thing such as a plant, animal, etc., especially a very small one that lives on its own

"Every living organism needs water and food."

"Every single living organism on Earth needs water to survive and thrive."

a substance that provides nutrients and conditions for the growth of cells or microorganisms

"Culture growth medium."

"The bacteria grew rapidly in the nutrient growth medium."

the chemical processes through which food is changed into energy for the body to use

"Fast metabolism burns calories."

"Regular exercise can boost your metabolism helping you burn more calories even while resting."

to discharge waste products or substances from the body or cells into the environment, typically through urine, feces, or sweat

"The body excretes waste through sweat."

"The kidneys excrete waste products from the blood through the production of urine."

a type of living thing with cells that have a nucleus and other structures enclosed in membranes, like plants, animals, fungi, and some microorganisms

"Plants and animals are eukaryotes."

"Unlike bacteria, every eukaryote keeps its DNA inside a protective nucleus."

a type of reproduction where a single organism can produce offspring without the involvement of another organism

"Some plants reproduce through asexual reproduction naturally"

"Asexual reproduction produces offspring that are genetically identical to the single parent organism."

a type of cell division that creates reproductive cells with half the usual number of chromosomes

"Meiosis produces egg and sperm cells."

"Meiosis is a type of cell division that produces reproductive cells like eggs and sperm."

a type of cell division that results in the formation of two daughter cells, each having the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell

"Mitosis makes new cells."

"Mitosis is the fundamental process by which somatic cells in multicellular organisms reproduce."

the longest phase of the cell cycle during which the cell grows, replicates its DNA, and carries out its normal functions

"Interphase is longest."

"During interphase the cell grows and prepares for division."

the initial phase of mitosis, where chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes and the nuclear membrane dissolves, preparing for cell division

"Prophase begins mitosis."

"During prophase, the chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes."

the stage of cell division where sister chromatids or homologous chromosomes are pulled apart towards opposite poles of the cell by spindle fibers

"Anaphase separates chromosomes."

"Sister chromatids separate during anaphase."

the last stage of meiosis where chromosomes reach opposite poles, nuclear envelopes reform, and cells prepare to divide into daughter cells with half the original chromosome number

"Telophase ends mitosis."

"In telophase, nuclear envelopes reform around separated chromosomes."

to break down or decompose naturally by biological processes, typically through the action of microorganisms like bacteria or fungi

"Plastics do not biodegrade easily."

"Plastic bottles take hundreds of years to biodegrade causing serious environmental problems in landfills and oceans."

any molecule produced by living organisms including large molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as smaller molecules like vitamins, hormones, and metabolites

"Proteins are essential biomolecule structures in organisms"

"Carbohydrates are important biomolecules that provide energy."

the existence of a range of different plants and animals in a natural environment

"The Coral Triangle is a global center of marine biodiversity."

"Biodiversity refers to the incredible variety of life on Earth at all levels"

a field of study that combines biology and computational methods to analyze and interpret biological data

"Bioinformatics uses computers for biology."

"Clinical bioinformatics is the application of computational tools to a patient's unique genetic code"

not causing harmful reactions or adverse effects when in contact with biological systems

"The material is biocompatible."

"The biocompatible material does not cause harm to living tissue and it is used for medical implants like artificial joints and heart valves."

a branch of biology that employs statistical analysis to study and interpret biological phenomena and observations

"Biometrics uses statistics."

"The airport uses biometrics like fingerprint and facial recognition to verify passengers' identities and speed up the security screening process."

a thick slimy substance produced by mucous membranes, inside the nose or the mouth, to lubricate and protect them

"Mucus protects nose."

"When you have a cold your nose produces excess mucus that can make breathing difficult and uncomfortable."

the branch of biology that deals with microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, and their effects on living organisms

"Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms."

"Clinical microbiology involves identifying a pathogen from a patient's sample and testing its resistance to antibiotics to guide a doctor's choice of the most effective treatment."

a complete virus particle that includes genetic material wrapped in a protein coat, capable of infecting host cells to replicate

"The virion is the virus particle."

"The virion contains the genetic material of the virus outside a host cell."

the process of training or adapting behavior through repeated experiences or stimuli to produce specific responses or associations

"This is classical conditioning."

"Pavlov used conditioning to make dogs salivate at the sound of a bell."

an approach to innovation and problem-solving that draws inspiration from nature's designs, processes, and systems

"Biomimicry in design."

"Biomimicry copies nature to solve engineering problems."

a special cell used for reproduction, with sperm cells being the male gametes and egg cells being the female gametes

"Sperm is a male gamete."

"Gametes carry half the number of chromosomes needed for reproduction."

the collection of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, that inhabit a particular environment

"Gut microbiome is important."

"The human microbiome plays a key role in digestion and immunity."

refering to processes, effects, or phenomena that are caused by human activity or influence

"The change is anthropogenic."

"The anthropogenic causes of climate change include burning fossil fuels and deforestation which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere."

tourism that includes visiting endangered natural environments which aims at preservation of the wildlife and the nature

"Ecotourism is a growing trend among responsible travelers."

"Ecotourism focuses on responsible travel to natural environments, aiming to preserve wildlife and local cultures."

the ability of an organism or cell to move independently using specialized structures such as flagella, cilia, or pseudopodia

"Sperm motility is low."

"The doctor checked the sperm motility under a microscope to see if enough of them were swimming actively toward the egg."

a single-celled organism that is neither a plant, animal, nor fungus, typically found in aquatic or moist environments

"Algae are a type of protist."

"The pond water contained many single celled protists including amoebas and paramecia which the students observed under their microscopes."

reflecting a similarity in arrangement, type, or origin, particularly within the same species

"These are homologous organs."

"The homologous chromosomes carry the same genes in the same order, ensuring proper inheritance."

the light produced by by living organisms as a result of biochemical reactions, often used for communication, attracting prey, or camouflage

"The jellyfish shows bioluminescence."

"Bioluminescence helps deep-sea creatures attract prey."

a small, plant-like aquatic organism belonging to the class Hydrozoa, often forming branching colonies

"The hydroid colony."

"Hydroids are small marine animals related to jellyfish."

the process by which a differentiated cell changes its identity and adopts the characteristics of a different cell type

"Researchers explored transdifferentiation in stem cell studies"

"Transdifferentiation allows cells to change from one type to another."

the network of thread-like structures that form the vegetative part of a fungus, typically growing underground or within a substrate

"The fungus mycelium."

"Mycelium spreads underground to absorb nutrients."

(of an organism) engaging in a symbiotic relationship where both participants benefit from the interaction

"The relationship is mutualist."

"The mutualist relationship between bees and flowers benefits both species because bees get nectar and flowers get pollinated."

describing a relationship between two organisms where one benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed

"The organism is commensal."

"The commensal bacteria live on human skin without causing harm and they actually help protect us from more dangerous infections."

a mutually beneficial symbiotic association between the roots of plants and fungi where the fungus colonizes the root system, facilitating nutrient uptake from the soil

"Mycorrhiza helps plants."

"Mycorrhiza improves nutrient uptake in most forest trees."

a reproductive cell capable of developing into a new organism without fusion with another cell, often adapted for survival in harsh conditions

"The spore germinates."

"Ferns reproduce through spores instead of seeds."

the entirety of living organisms in a specific area or ecosystem, typically measured as dry weight after removing water

"Biomass energy comes from plants."

"The power plant burns wood chips and other biomass to generate electricity a renewable energy source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels."

related to how living things are categorized based on their similarities

"The classification is taxonomic."

"The classification is taxonomic and organizes living things into groups based on their shared characteristics."

a shallow, circular, transparent dish with a lid, commonly used in laboratories to culture and study microorganisms

"Grow bacteria in a petri dish."

"Scientists culture microorganisms in a sterile petri dish."

the natural process where bacteria and fungi break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the ecosystem

"Decomposition recycles nutrients."

"Bacteria cause the decomposition of dead organic matter."

the underlying surface or material where an organism attaches, grows, or feeds

"The substrate for reaction."

"The fungus grows on a wood substrate."

capable of triggering an increase in the activity or responsiveness of the cell or organism

"The signal is excitatory."

"The excitatory neurotransmitter stimulates the receiving neuron and makes it more likely to fire and send an electrical signal."

a single-celled organism used extensively in biological research as a model organism

"Fission yeast is useful."

"Fission yeast is a model organism in cell biology research."

a single-celled, microscopic organism belonging to the group of protozoa, characterized by a flexible cell membrane and the absence of a fixed body shape

"An ameba is a single celled organism."

"An ameba is a single-celled organism with no fixed shape"

a scientist who studies the normal functions and activities of living organisms and their parts, often focusing on how biological systems work at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels

"He is a physiologist."

"The exercise physiologist studied how the athletes' hearts and lungs responded to different training intensities during the cycling test."

(biology) any of the groups that plants, animals, etc. with similar characteristics are divided into, which is larger than a species and smaller than a family

"The genus is large."

"The lion belongs to the Panthera genus which also includes tigers and leopards."

the process of growing cells, tissues, or organisms in an artificial environment with controlled conditions such as temperature, nutrients, and pH

"We need culture."

"The laboratory created a sterile culture environment to grow the delicate microorganisms."

a small amount of something such as urine, blood, etc. that is taken for examination

"The lab technician examined the specimen under a microscope."

"The lab technician examined the urine specimen under a microscope for signs of infection."

a genetic variant or subtype of a microorganism, typically within a species, that possesses distinct characteristics from other members of the same species

"This is a new strain."

"Scientists are working to identify and understand the properties of this novel strain of the virus."

(of a cell, gland, or organ) to produce and release a liquid substance in the body

"Glands secrete hormones into the bloodstream."

"The sweat glands in your skin secrete moisture to help cool your body when it gets too hot."

the stage of meiosis where homologous chromosomes align in pairs along the equator of the cell, preparing for their separation into haploid daughter cells

"This is metaphase."

"During metaphase, chromosomes are precisely aligned at the cell's equatorial plate, ready for segregation."

a substance such as a vitamin, protein, fat, etc. that is essential for good health and growth

"Plants need nutrient."

"A balanced diet provides essential nutrients for good health."

the scientific study of the environment or the interrelation of living creatures and the way they affect each other

"Ecology helps us understand nature."

"Ecology examines the intricate relationships between organisms and their physical surroundings"

(of organisms) to absorb and incorporate nutrients or substances from their environment into their own tissues or cells

"Cells assimilate food."

"The intestinal lining cells efficiently assimilate nutrients from digested food into the bloodstream."

a gelatinous substance derived from seaweed and used as a gelling agent in various food

"Use agar for jelly."

"Agar-agar, derived from seaweed, is a popular vegan alternative to gelatin for setting desserts."

the scientific study of how the universe is created, its development, and how it is going to end

"Cosmology studies the universe."

"Cosmology seeks to understand the origin, evolution, and ultimate fate of the entire universe."

(of a disease) able to make one sick

"The flu is virulent."

"This particular strain of influenza is known for being exceptionally virulent, causing severe symptoms in patients."

the process by which organisms evolve traits that improve their chances of survival and reproduction in a particular environment

"The cactus has good adaptation."

"The remarkable adaptation of desert flora allows them to thrive in arid environments."