A TO Z GLOSSARY OF IMPORTANT TERMS IN BIOLOGY

Abiotic: refers to the non-living components of an ecosystem, such as water, soil, and air.

Adaptation: a characteristic or behaviour that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

Allele: one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that can occupy a particular locus on a chromosome.

Anaerobic: relating to or requiring an absence of oxygen.

Anatomy: the study of the structure of organisms.

Antibody: a protein produced by the immune system that binds to a specific antigen to help destroy or neutralize it.

Antigen: a molecule that triggers an immune response.

Apoptosis: programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms.

Archaea: a domain of single-celled microorganisms that are prokaryotic and often live in extreme environments.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate): a molecule that carries energy within cells.

Bacteria: a domain of single-celled microorganisms that are prokaryotic and can have a variety of shapes.

Biodiversity: the variety of life in a particular ecosystem, biome, or planet.

Bioinformatics: the use of computer science and mathematics to analyze biological data.

Biomass: the total mass of living matter in a given area or ecosystem.

Biome: a large geographical region characterized by a particular type of climate and the dominant plant and animal life.

Biosphere: the part of Earth's surface and atmosphere where living organisms exist.

Biotechnology: the use of living organisms, cells, or biological processes to create products or solve problems.

Biotic: refers to the living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Blood: a fluid connective tissue that transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body.

Botany: the study of plants.

Brain: the organ in the head of an animal or human that controls thought, movement, sensation, and other functions.

Cell: the basic unit of life.

Cell membrane: the thin, flexible barrier that surrounds and encloses a cell.

Cell wall: a rigid layer outside the cell membrane that provides structural support and protection for some types of cells.

Chloroplast: a specialized organelle in plant cells that carries out photosynthesis.

Chromosome: a structure composed of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information.

Cloning: The process of creating genetically identical copies of an organism or cell.

Community: all the populations of different species that live and interact in a particular area.

Conservation: the protection, management, and restoration of natural resources and ecosystems.

Consumer: an organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms.

Cytoplasm: the gel-like substance inside a cell where most of the cell's metabolic activity takes place.

Darwinism: the theory of evolution by natural selection, developed by Charles Darwin.

Decomposer: an organism that breaks down dead or decaying organic matter, such as bacteria or fungi.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): the molecule that carries genetic information in cells.

Dominant: a trait that is expressed when present in the genotype of an organism.

Ecosystem: A community of living and non-living things interacting with each other in a particular environment.

Embryo: The early developmental stage of a multicellular organism, from fertilization until the end of the embryonic period.

Enzyme: A protein that catalyzes chemical reactions in living organisms by speeding up the rate of a specific reaction.

Endocrine system: A collection of glands that produce and secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions.

Evolution: The process by which species of organisms change over time through genetic variation, natural selection, and genetic drift.

Fermentation: A metabolic process that converts sugars to other organic compounds, such as alcohol and lactic acid, in the absence of oxygen.

Fertilization: The fusion of gametes (sperm and egg cells) to form a zygote.

Food chain: The sequence of organisms in an ecosystem in which each organism serves as a source of food or energy for the next organism in the chain.

Gene: A unit of heredity that contains the instructions for making a specific protein or RNA molecule.

Genome: The complete set of DNA in an organism, including all of its genes and non-coding regions.

Genotype: The genetic makeup of an organism, which determines its physical traits and characteristics.

Glucose: A simple sugar that is an important source of energy for living organisms.

Glycolysis: The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate and generates ATP, the primary energy source for cells.

Habitat: The natural environment where an organism lives and meets its basic needs.

Homeostasis: The ability of an organism to maintain stable internal conditions, such as temperature and pH, despite changes in the external environment.

Hormone: A chemical messenger produced by the endocrine glands that regulates various bodily functions.

Inheritance: The passing of genetic information from one generation to the next.

Insulin: A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels by promoting the uptake of glucose into cells.

Joints: The point where two bones meet and move in relation to each other, allowing for movement of the body.

Karyotype: The number, size, and shape of chromosomes in an organism.

Kingdom: The highest taxonomic rank used in biological classification.

Ligase: An enzyme that joins two molecules together by forming a covalent bond.

Lipid: A type of organic molecule that includes fats, oils, waxes, and steroids.

Lysosome: An organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains enzymes capable of breaking down various biomolecules.

Meiosis: The process by which diploid cells divide into haploid cells, resulting in the production of gametes.

Messenger RNA (mRNA): A type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis.

Mitochondrion: An organelle found in eukaryotic cells that is responsible for cellular respiration and energy production.

Mitosis: The process by which eukaryotic cells divide to form two genetically identical daughter cells.

Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence of an organism's genome.

Nucleic Acid: A type of biomolecule that includes DNA and RNA.

Nucleus: A membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the organism's genetic material.

Organelle: A specialized subunit within a cell that performs a specific function.

Organism: An individual living thing.

Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy.

Plasma membrane: The outer boundary of a cell that separates the cell from its environment.

Prokaryote: A type of organism that lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Protein: A complex biomolecule made up of amino acids that perform a wide variety of functions in living organisms.

Receptor: A protein molecule that binds to a specific signal molecule, triggering a cellular response.

Ribosome: A cellular structure that synthesizes proteins by decoding messenger RNA.

Selective breeding: the intentional breeding of organisms with desirable traits in order to produce offspring with those traits.

Species: a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Symbiosis: a close relationship between two different species in which at least one of the species benefits.

Taxonomy: the science of identifying, classifying, and naming organisms.

Transcription: the process by which DNA is used as a template to make RNA.

Translation: the process by which RNA is used to synthesize a protein.

Uracil: a nitrogenous base found in RNA that pairs with adenine.

Vaccination: the administration of a vaccine to stimulate an immune response and provide immunity against a particular disease.

Vector: an organism or object that carries and transmits a pathogen to another organism.

Watson - Crick Model: the double helix structure of DNA proposed by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953.

Xylem: a type of plant tissue that transports water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves.

Yeast: a single-celled fungus that is commonly used in baking and brewing.

Zygote: the cell that results from the fusion of two gametes (sperm and egg) during fertilization.

Also Read the Following Suggested Topics for Further Reading

Vitamins in Biology Solved MCQs

Laws of Inheritance in Biology Solved MCQs

Nutrition in Plants Solved MCQs

Bioenergetics in Plants Solved MCQs

Respiration in Plants and AnimalsSolved MCQs

Reproduction in Plants and Animals Solved MCQs

Animal and Plant Cell Solved MCQs

Biology in General Solved MCQs

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