Talking about Biology: English Vocabulary List

a substance that all living organisms produce that brings about a chemical reaction without being altered itself

"An enzyme speeds digestion."

"This specific enzyme catalyzes the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars."

a thin sheet of tissue that separates or covers the inner parts of an organism

"The cell membrane protects it."

"The semipermeable membrane regulates the passage of substances into and out of the cell."

any of a class of organic substances that do not dissolve in water that include many natural oils, waxes, and steroids

"A lipid does not dissolve."

"Each lipid molecule in the bilayer has a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails."

any organic compound that creates the basic structure of proteins

"Amino acid builds proteins."

"Each protein is constructed from a specific sequence of various amino acids."

a junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter

"Synapse sends nerve signals."

"Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft at the synapse to transmit signals."

the genetic makeup of an organism, determined by the combination of genes inherited from its parents

"The genotype is genetic makeup."

"An organism's genotype determines which traits can potentially be expressed."

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 system of glands and organs that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream, regulating various physiological functions and maintaining homeostasis

"Endocrine system makes hormones."

"The endocrine system plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, growth, and reproduction through hormones."

a gland that secretes substances, such as enzymes or mucus, through ducts that lead to the external environment or a body cavity, rather than directly into the bloodstream

"Exocrine glands release through ducts."

"An exocrine gland secretes digestive enzymes through ducts into the small intestine."

a steroid hormone that the body produces and is used in medicine to help cure skin diseases

"Cortisol is a hormone."

"Cortisol is a steroid hormone that helps the body respond to stress."

something that triggers a reaction in various areas like psychology or physiology

"The stimulus caused a reaction."

"In behavioral psychology, a stimulus triggers a measurable response from the subject."

a long, slender projection of a nerve cell that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body towards other neurons or target cells

"The axon sends electrical signals."

"The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that insulates the axon and speeds up signals."

a small, membrane-bound sac within a cell, involved in the transport, storage, or release of substances

"Vesicle transports cell contents."

"A transport vesicle buds off from the Golgi apparatus to deliver proteins to their destination."