Answers | 2026 Update!!
1. Adaptation- The adjustment or changes in behavior, physiology, and structure of an organ-
ism to become more suited to an environment.
2. Aerobic- A process that requires oxygen.
3. Allele -An alter-
native form of
a gene. An ex-
ample would be
genes that en-
code eye col-
or—some encode
blue eyes (one al-
lele), while oth-
ers encode brown,
green, or hazel eye
colors (other alle-
les).
4. amino acids - A small organic molecule with the structure of an amino group, a carboxylic acid
group, and an "R" group, which are all bonded to a single central carbon atom.
The ditterence between the "R" group is what distinguishes one amino acid
from another. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
5. Anaerobic- A process that occurs without oxygen.
6. Anaphase- A stage within the mitosis phase of cell division (also known as cell reproduc-
tion). Anaphase starts when sister chromatids separate from each other and
ends when each set of separated, sister chromatids arrives at the opposite poles
of the cell.
7. anaphase I-
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Answers | 2026 Update!!
The third stage of Meiosis I—the two homologous chromosomes separate and
migrate toward opposite poles.
8. anaphase II- The third stage in Meiosis II—the centromeres separate and the sister chro-
matids (now individual chromosomes) move toward the opposite poles of the
cell.
9. artificial selection- Deliberate mating between two individuals who were selected based on de-
sired traits.
10. asexual reproduc- A type of reproduction where genetically identical ottspring are created from a
tion - single parent. This type of reproduction does not utilize meiosis or gametes.
Bacteria
11. and fungi are ex-
amples of organ-
isms that repro-
duce in this man-
ner.
12. Atom- The basic unit of matter that cannot be further broken down without losing its
unique properties. One atom consists of a dense nucleus surrounded by a cloud
of electrons.
13. Autosomal- Describes a trait associated with alleles located on autosomes (non sex chro-
mosomes).
14. autosomal chro- A chromosome not involved in sex determination.
mosome-
15. biogeochemical The processes that transfer chemical elements between biotic and abiotic com-
cycle- ponents in an ecosystem. There are several main cycles: the water cycle, the
carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and the phosphorus cycle.
, 16. Biome- A large naturally occurring community of plants and animals occupying a major
habitat. Examples include tropical forest and arctic tundra.
17. Biomes- A pattern of distribution of ecosystems across the globe, where similar envi-
ronmental conditions lead to similar animal and plant adaptations. Examples
of biomes include tropical rainforests, deserts, and tundra.
18. biosphere- All areas on, within, and around the planet Earth that are capable of supporting
life.
19. Calvin cycle son cycle or light-independent reaction)- The set of chemical reactions that
(Calvin-Ben take place in chloroplasts during photosynthesis. The cycle is light-independent
because it takes place after the energy has been captured from sunlight. Also
called Calvin-Benson Cycle, Benson-Calvin Cycle.
20. Carbohydrates- The extracellular surface of the cell membrane is decorated with carbohydrate
groups attached to lipids and proteins. These short carbohydrates play a role
in giving a cell its identity (i.e., distinguishing self from non-self) and are the
distinguishing factor in human blood types.
21. carbon cycle- The biogeochemical cycle through which carbon flows between the atmos-
phere, water, land, and ecosystems.
22. cell cycle- A series of phases in the life of the cell through which it grows and divides.
23. cell wall- Protective and reinforcing structure found in certain cells, situated outside
the plasma membrane. Bacterial cell walls are mainly built of peptidoglycan,
although they may also contain lipidic molecules. Among eukaryotes, plants and
fungi possess cell walls, made of cellulose and chitin, respectively.
24. cellular respira- Use of oxygen to release energy from nutrients; also called aerobic respiration.
tion-