NLN-PAX Science Vocabularies
Cell - the smallest living unit and the basic unit of function and structure for all
living things.
Nucleus - contains the genetic information, or DNA, and controls the activities of
the cell.
Plasma (cell) membrane - separates the contents of the cell from the
surrounding fluid (interstitial fluid)
Semipermeable membrane - refers to the selective nature of the plasma
membrane. It contains pores and channels that allow only particles of the right size or
the right chemical nature to pass through.
Interstitial fluide - contains substances such as amino acids, sugars, fatty acids,
hormones, neurotransmitters, and salts.
Cytoplasm - is the fluid matrix found between the plasma membrane and the
nucleus that acts as scaffolding for the organelles.
Organelles - (little organs) are specialized units in the cell that per form certain
functions.
Mitochondria - are the locations for cellular respiration, that is, the conversion of
food to energy at the cellular level. The site of energy production and of most of its ATP.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) - the chemical the cell uses to store and transfer
energy within itself.
Ribosomes - are the sites of protein synthesis in the cell
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) - Ribosomes are attached. Serves as a means for
transport within the cell and is made up of many channels. Rough endoplasmic
reticulum named for the fact that it has ribosomes on its surface, serves to store and
deliver the proteins made by the attached ribosomes. Smooth ER is free of ribosomes it
performs varying functions in different cells, including the storage of enzymes and
minerals and the folding of proteins, among other things. It is thought to be involved in
the detoxification of chemicals and the metabolism of fats.
,Golgi complex - modifies and packages proteins destined for use in the cell or
for export from the cell.
Lysosomes - are sacs that contain strong digestive enzymes. These sacs are
responsible for digesting cell structures that are no longer living or that are
malfunctioning, and for digesting waste.
Cell wall - Only plant cells have them. It is responsible for the protection of the
cell, the maintenance of the shape, and water balance.
Chloroplasts - contain chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis.
Vacuoles - plant cells also often large ones. Which are compartments in the
cytoplasm that act as places for secretion, excretion, and storage.
Chromatin - DNA is in this loosely structured form when it is not dividing
Chromosomes - DNA is seen in condensed rod-shaped bodies when the cell is
dividing
Mitosis - When cells divide, the appropriate amount of genetic material must be
passed on to the new, or so-called daughter, cells. In somatic (non reproductive) cells,
the new cells are identical copies of the parent cells. This is achieved by a doubling of
the chromosomes prior to division. It is useful in the growth and repair of our bodies.
Zygote - the cell created by the union of a sperm and egg contains a full set of
chromosomes, half from each parent.
Meiosis - Another type of division takes place in the production of gametes. It
contains half of the normal number of chromosomes. It consists first of doubling of
chromosomes and then two subsequent divisions. Thus the products are four daughter
cells, each with half the normal number of chromosomes.
Muscle tissue - skeletal, cardiac, and smooth
Epithelial tissue - skin, the lining of organs
Nervous tissue - neurons
Connective tissue - cartilage, blood, fat, bone
Organ - performs a specialized function in the body.
Organ system - made up of a number of organs working together to carry out a
major function.
, Organism - the highest level of organization such as the human body
Evolution - is a theory regarding the processes that have produced the
biological diversity we see today.
Natural selection - the process by which the traits that promote or enhance an
organism's ability to survive and reproduce are passed on to following generations.
Adaptation - For natural selection to occur, organisms must have variations,
some of which give the individuals having them an advantage in the struggle for
survival. The struggle for survival occurs because each generation of a species
produces more offspring than can survive. In this struggle, the individuals best suited to
their environment survive ("survival of the fittest") and pass on the traits to their offspring
Fossil record - consists of remnants or traces of organisms from past geologic
ages.
Vertebrates - animals with backbones
Biogeography - the geographical distribution of plants and animals
Comparative anatomy - the comparison of organisms' structures
Comparative embryology - the comparison of organisms' embryos
Molecular biology - biology at the molecular level
Taxonomy - the study of scientific classification. Species are grouped according
to their similarities and differences.
King Phillip Came Over For Good Soup
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
Kingdom - animal, plant, monera, protist, and fungi
Monera - Bacteria
Protist - Protozoa, algae, and some molds
Fungi - Molds, muchrooms, yeasts, and the like
Active transport - involves the use of energy in the form of ATP to move
substances across the membrane
Passive transport - does not require energy and makes use of didffusion and
filtration
Cell - the smallest living unit and the basic unit of function and structure for all
living things.
Nucleus - contains the genetic information, or DNA, and controls the activities of
the cell.
Plasma (cell) membrane - separates the contents of the cell from the
surrounding fluid (interstitial fluid)
Semipermeable membrane - refers to the selective nature of the plasma
membrane. It contains pores and channels that allow only particles of the right size or
the right chemical nature to pass through.
Interstitial fluide - contains substances such as amino acids, sugars, fatty acids,
hormones, neurotransmitters, and salts.
Cytoplasm - is the fluid matrix found between the plasma membrane and the
nucleus that acts as scaffolding for the organelles.
Organelles - (little organs) are specialized units in the cell that per form certain
functions.
Mitochondria - are the locations for cellular respiration, that is, the conversion of
food to energy at the cellular level. The site of energy production and of most of its ATP.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) - the chemical the cell uses to store and transfer
energy within itself.
Ribosomes - are the sites of protein synthesis in the cell
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) - Ribosomes are attached. Serves as a means for
transport within the cell and is made up of many channels. Rough endoplasmic
reticulum named for the fact that it has ribosomes on its surface, serves to store and
deliver the proteins made by the attached ribosomes. Smooth ER is free of ribosomes it
performs varying functions in different cells, including the storage of enzymes and
minerals and the folding of proteins, among other things. It is thought to be involved in
the detoxification of chemicals and the metabolism of fats.
,Golgi complex - modifies and packages proteins destined for use in the cell or
for export from the cell.
Lysosomes - are sacs that contain strong digestive enzymes. These sacs are
responsible for digesting cell structures that are no longer living or that are
malfunctioning, and for digesting waste.
Cell wall - Only plant cells have them. It is responsible for the protection of the
cell, the maintenance of the shape, and water balance.
Chloroplasts - contain chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis.
Vacuoles - plant cells also often large ones. Which are compartments in the
cytoplasm that act as places for secretion, excretion, and storage.
Chromatin - DNA is in this loosely structured form when it is not dividing
Chromosomes - DNA is seen in condensed rod-shaped bodies when the cell is
dividing
Mitosis - When cells divide, the appropriate amount of genetic material must be
passed on to the new, or so-called daughter, cells. In somatic (non reproductive) cells,
the new cells are identical copies of the parent cells. This is achieved by a doubling of
the chromosomes prior to division. It is useful in the growth and repair of our bodies.
Zygote - the cell created by the union of a sperm and egg contains a full set of
chromosomes, half from each parent.
Meiosis - Another type of division takes place in the production of gametes. It
contains half of the normal number of chromosomes. It consists first of doubling of
chromosomes and then two subsequent divisions. Thus the products are four daughter
cells, each with half the normal number of chromosomes.
Muscle tissue - skeletal, cardiac, and smooth
Epithelial tissue - skin, the lining of organs
Nervous tissue - neurons
Connective tissue - cartilage, blood, fat, bone
Organ - performs a specialized function in the body.
Organ system - made up of a number of organs working together to carry out a
major function.
, Organism - the highest level of organization such as the human body
Evolution - is a theory regarding the processes that have produced the
biological diversity we see today.
Natural selection - the process by which the traits that promote or enhance an
organism's ability to survive and reproduce are passed on to following generations.
Adaptation - For natural selection to occur, organisms must have variations,
some of which give the individuals having them an advantage in the struggle for
survival. The struggle for survival occurs because each generation of a species
produces more offspring than can survive. In this struggle, the individuals best suited to
their environment survive ("survival of the fittest") and pass on the traits to their offspring
Fossil record - consists of remnants or traces of organisms from past geologic
ages.
Vertebrates - animals with backbones
Biogeography - the geographical distribution of plants and animals
Comparative anatomy - the comparison of organisms' structures
Comparative embryology - the comparison of organisms' embryos
Molecular biology - biology at the molecular level
Taxonomy - the study of scientific classification. Species are grouped according
to their similarities and differences.
King Phillip Came Over For Good Soup
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
Kingdom - animal, plant, monera, protist, and fungi
Monera - Bacteria
Protist - Protozoa, algae, and some molds
Fungi - Molds, muchrooms, yeasts, and the like
Active transport - involves the use of energy in the form of ATP to move
substances across the membrane
Passive transport - does not require energy and makes use of didffusion and
filtration
