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Life Science
Term | Definition |
---|---|
acquired trait | A characteristic that is not in your genes but that a living thing gets during its lifetime. |
Animal Cell | A small living part of a multicellular organism |
anterior | situated in the front of the body or nearer to the head |
arm | used to carry the microscope |
base | the bottom of the microscope |
Base Pairs | When two nucleic acids pair up to create a "rung" of the DNA ladder. "A" will only pair with "T" and "C" will only pair with "G". |
bilateral symmetry | a basic body plan in which the left and right sides of the organism can be divided into approximate mirror images of each other along the midline. |
body tube | separates eyepiece from the nosepiece |
Cell | Basic unit of life |
cell membrane | the semi-permeable membrane that surrounds the cell and allows food to enter and waste to exit. |
Cell Wall | A rigid outer layer of the plant cell; provides protection and support for the plant cells |
Cellular respiration | A process in the mitochondria of the cell to produce energy (ATP) for cell's use. |
centrioles | separates chromosome pairs during mitosis in animal cells |
chlorophyll | a green pigment in some plant cell's chloroplasts; absorbs light energy used to carry out photosynthesis |
chloroplast | an organelle found in plant cells, uses energy from the sun to create photosynthesis, making food for the plant in the form of sugar (glucose) |
chromosome | acoiled substance in the cell nucleus that contains genetic information and carries information controlling the cell's activities |
coarse adjustment | moves the objectives up and down; used to focus in LOW power, never high power |
cytoplasm | the jelly-like fluid, inside the cell, that holds the organelles in place |
diaphragm | regulates the amount of light on the specimen |
diffusion | the movement of a substance from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration |
DNA | A chemical material in a cell's nucleus that stores coded information about how an organism will grow and develop. |
dorsal | the back or topside |
double helix | The three-dimensional structure of double-stranded DNA |
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) | A folded membrane that transports materials throughout the cell |
environmental trait | Characteristics that are caused by something around an organism. |
Eukaryotic | A cell that contains a nucleus and organelles |
eyepiece | 10x magnification, also called ocular lens |
fine adjustment | used to sharpen the image |
Genes | A series of base pairs that controls what substance the cell will make. Determines an organisms traits. |
genetically modified organism | Any organism whose genetic material has been changed by genetic engineering |
Genetics | the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics. |
Golgi Apparatus (aka. golgi body) | stores and packages materials that will be leaving the cell (shipping department); modifies proteins made by the cell |
heredity | the passing of traits from parent to offspring |
inherited trait | Characteristics that are from the passing of traits through DNA from parent to offspring |
learned trait | Characteristics that are from watching, experiencing, or practicing. |
light source | projects light upward through the diaphragm, the specimen, and then the lens |
lysosomes | Contains powerful chemicals that break down harmful molecules. Recycles worn out parts. |
Mitochondria | Breaks down sugar to release energy; powerhouse of the cell |
mitosis | the process in which a cell nucleus divides for duplication |
Multicellular | Made of more than one cell |
multicellular organisms | composed of many cells and systems that function together to help with survival |
nosepiece | Holds the objectives and can be rotated to change the magnification. |
nucleolus | Makes ribosomes. |
Nucleus | Control center of the cell. Contains DNA. |
objectives | Lenses that magnify different amounts. The longer the objective is, the higher the magnification power. |
organ | when more than one tissue are working together to perform a function |
organism | an individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form. |
osmosis | the diffusion of water across a cell membrane |
Photosynthesis | Process that plants use to turn sunlight into energy |
Plant | This kingdom can make its own food |
Plant Cell | 1) have cell wall 2) have chlorophyll/chloroplasts needed for photosynthesis. 3) large vacuoles |
posterior | nearer the rear of the organism |
Prokaryotic | A singleācelled organism with NO nucleus |
radial symmetry | symmetry around a central axis, as in a starfish or a tulip flower |
ribosomes | make proteins for the cell |
Rough ER | acts like the "Cell Superhighway" and has ribosomes on it |
Smooth ER | acts like the "Cell Superhighway" but DOES NOT have ribosomes on it |
stage | The flat part that the slide sits on so that you can look at them. It has a hole in it that lets light through. |
stage clips | two metal clips that hold a slide on the stage |
system | a group of organs that work together to perform one or more functions. |
tissue | a group of similar cells that perform a specific function |
traits | a characteristic that is caused by genetics. |
Unicellular | Made of a single cell |
unicellular organism | made up of one cell and all life functions are performed by this one cell |
vacuole | Stores food, nutrients, water and waste for the cell. It is very large in plant cells. |
ventral | the belly or underside |