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Biology Key Vocab
Vocab Terms for Final Exam
74
Biology
10th Grade
12/09/2012

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Term
Observation
Definition
• Use of the senses to gather
and record information about
structures or processes in the
natural world.
– May include the use of sight,
hearing, or touch to gather
information.
Term
Data
Definition
• Recorded observations or
items of information.
Term
Inference
Definition
• A logical conclusion based on
observations (data).
– Inference is supported by the
data but may or may not be
correct.
Term
Quantitative Data
Definition
• Data that consists of recorded
measurements.
– These data are always in
numeric (number) form.
Term
Qualitative Data
Definition
• Data in the form of descriptions.
– These data describe actions, color,
textures, and other traits not easily
measured.
– These data can include drawings,
photographs, and video.
Term
Phenomenon
Definition
• Any event or object that
appears in the natural world
and is of scientific significance
or interest.
Term
Generalization
Definition
• A general conclusion
supported by a large number
of observations or other data.
Term
Hypothesis
Definition
• A suggested, testable answer
to a welldefined
scientific
question.
– Must be supported by
observations and data.
Term
Prediction
Definition
• A proposed outcome based
on a given hypothesis.
– Usually stated in the form of an
IF THEN statement
Term
Experiment
Definition
• A procedure designed to test
the validity of a given
hypothesis.
Term
Variable
Definition
• A factor or condition which
could affect the results of an
experiment.
Term
Experimental Group
Definition
• A set or group in an
experiment which has or is
given the condition the
experiment is designed to test.
– This group is the one that is
“different” from the normal
condition.
Term
Control Group
Definition
• A set or group in an experiment
which has or is given the
contrasting condition to the one
the experiment is designed to
test.
– This group is used as a
comparison to measure the effect of
the experimental variable.
Term
Controlled Experiment
Definition
• An experiment that limits the
effects of variables so that only
one variable is being tested.
Term
Atom
Definition

The simplest particle of an element that retains all the properties of that element.
Term
Proton
Definition

A subatomic particle with a single unit of positive electric charge (+).

One of the two types of particles found in the nucleus of an atom.
Term
Electron
Definition

A subatomic particle with a single unit of negative electric charge (-).

These particles found outside the nucleus of an atom.

These particles are involved in chemical bonding.
Term
Neutron
Definition

A subatomic particle that has no charge (is electrically neutral).

One of the two types of particles found in the nucleus of an atom.
Term
Nucleus
Definition

The central core of an atom that contains protons and neutrons .
Term
Atomic Number
Definition

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus.

This number is unique for each element
Term
Isotope
Definition

One of several forms of an element, each containing the same number of protons in their atoms but a different number of neutrons.
Term
Radioactive Isotope (Radio-isotope)
Definition

An isotope in which the nucleus decays (breaks down) over time, giving off radiation in the form of matter and energy.
Term
Molecule
Definition

Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.
Term
Ion
Definition

An atom or group of atoms that has become electrically charged as a result of gaining or losing an electron(s).

Charge may be positive (if electrons have been lost) or negative (if electrons have been gained).
Term
Ionic Bond
Definition

A chemical bond that occurs when an atom transfers an electron to another atom.

Atoms are held together by the attraction of opposite electrical charges.
Term
Covalent Bond
Definition

A chemical bond that forms when two atoms share electrons.
Term
Chemical Reaction
Definition

Breaking of old and formation of new chemical bonds that result in new substances.
Term
Reactant
Definition

A compound or atom that is involved in a chemical reaction.
Term
Product
Definition

New material created as a result of a chemical reaction.
Term
Synthesis Reaction
Definition

A chemical reaction in which two different elements are bonded together forming a compound.

A + B = AB
Term
Decomposition Reaction
Definition

A chemical reaction in which a compound is broken down into its elements.

AB = A + B

The opposite of synthesis reaction.
Term
Single Displacement Reaction
Definition

A chemical reaction between an element and a compound which yields a different element and compound.

C + AB = AC + B
Term
Double Displacement Reaction
Definition

A chemical reaction between two compounds that yields two different compounds.

AB + CD = CA + BD
Term
Polar Molecule
Definition

A molecule in which opposite ends have opposite electric charges .
Term
Hydrogen Bond
Definition

A bond created by the weak attraction of a slightly positive hydrogen atom to a slightly negative portion of another molecule.
Term
Cohesion
Definition

A tendency of molecules of the same kind to stick to one another.
Term
Adhesion
Definition

An attraction between unlike molecules.
Term
Solution
Definition

A uniform mixture of two or more substances.

Components of a solution are not chemically bonded and can be separated by physical means.

May be a solid, liquid, or gas.
Term
Solvent
Definition

The part of a solution that dissolves the other substance and is present in the greater amount .
Term
Solute
Definition

The part of a solution that is dissolved and is present in a lesser amount .
Term
Aqueous Solution
Definition

A solution in which water is the solvent.
Term
Acid
Definition

A compound that donates H+ ions to an aqueous solution and measures less than 7 on the pH scale.
Term
Base
Definition

A compound that removes H+ ions from an aqueous solution and that measures more than 7 on the pH scale.
Term
Buffer
Definition

A substance that maintains a fairly constant pH in a solution by accepting H+ ions when their levels rise and donating H+ ions when their levels fall.
Term
Organic Molecule
Definition

A molecule built upon a framework of carbon atoms.

These are compounds produced by living things.
Term
Inorganic Molecule
Definition

A non-carbon based molecule.

These are compounds that are not produced by living things.
Term
Hydrocarbon
Definition

A class of organic molecule composed of only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Term
Functional Group
Definition

A group of atoms within a molecule that interacts in predictable ways.

A structural building block that determines the characteristics of the compound.
Term
Hydrophilic
Definition

(Water Loving) A molecule that is attracted to water molecules.
Term
Hydrophobic
Definition

(Water Fearing) A molecule that repelled by water molecules.
Term
Monomer
Definition

A small molecular unit that is the building block of a larger molecule.
Term
Polymer
Definition

A molecule consisting of a long chain of smaller molecular units (monomers).
Term
Carbohydrate
Definition

A class of organic compounds based on sugar molecules.

Many are polymers composed of sugar monomers.
Term
Monosaccharide
Definition

A monomer composed of a single sugar molecule.
Term
Disaccharide
Definition

A sugar composed of two monosaccharides.
Term
Polysaccharide
Definition

A long polymer chain made up of simple sugar monomers.
Term
Starch
Definition

A polysaccharide in plant cells that consists entirely of glucose monomers.

Serves as the primary energy storage molecule in plants.
Term
Glycogen
Definition

A polysaccharide in animal cells that consists of many glucose monomers.

Serves as the primary energy storage molecule in animals.
Term
Cellulose
Definition

A polysaccharide consisting of glucose monomers that reinforces plant-cell walls.

Serves as a structural component in plants.
Term
Lipid
Definition

One of a class of water-avoiding (hydrophobic) compounds.

These compounds are insoluble in water and include fats, oils, and steroids.
Term
Fat
Definition

An organic compound consisting of a three-carbon backbone (glycerol) attached to three fatty acids.
Term
Saturated Fat
Definition

A fat in which all three fatty acid chains contain no double bonds and hold the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms.

Unsaturated fats contain double bonds in the carbon chains of the fatty acids.
Term
Steroid
Definition

A lipid molecule with four fused carbon rings.
Term
Cholesterol
Definition

A steroid molecule present in the plasma membranes of animal cells.

This molecule helps plasma membranes remain flexible.
Term
Nucleic Acid
Definition

A class of organic compounds that stores and carries important information used for cell function.

DNA and RNA are examples.
Term
Nucleotide
Definition

A building block monomer of nucleic acid polymers.
Term
Nitrogenous Base
Definition

A nucleotide composed of a single or double ring of carbon and nitrogen atoms with attached functional groups.
Term
Pentose
Definition

A 5-carbon sugar based on a ring-shaped framework.
Term
Ribose
Definition
The pentose found in the bases that make up RNA.
Term
Deoxyribose
Definition

The pentose found in the bases that make up DNA.
Term
Pyrimidines
Definition

Family of nitrogenous based on a single ring of carbon and nitrogen atoms.

Thymine and Cytosine are examples.
Term
Purines
Definition

Family of nitrogenous based on a double ring of carbon and nitrogen atoms.

Adenine and Guanine are examples.
Term
Double Helix
Definition

Term that describes the structure of DNA which consists of two strands of nucleotides wound about each other.

Looks like a twisted ladder.
Term
Complementary Base Pairs
Definition

Nucleotide bases that must pair with each other in nucleic acids.

Adenine always pairs with thymine and guanine always pairs with cytosine.
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