Scientific Method: a process used during a scientific investigation to answer a scientific question.

Hypothesis: an explanation for a particular fact. The hypothesis needs to be verified or falsified based on collected evidence. All studies must have at least one hypothesis, but a researcher may come up with many.

Data : the facts, statistics and calculations used in scientific analysis.

Independent variable : variables that scientists control to test the effects on the dependent variables.

Dependent Variable : variables affected by the changes to the independent variable.

Scientific Theory : when repeated experimentation supports a hypothesis over a period of time.

Scientific Law : scientifically acknowledged principle that's been confirmed by repeated experimental observations.

Validity: the extent to which a measurement, test, or study measures what it is said to measure.

Matter : anything that occupies space and possesses mass.

Atoms : the basic units of matter.

Proton : Positive part of an atom.

Electron : negative part of an atom.

Neutron : Part of an atom that has no charge.

Element : one of more than one hundred substances that cannot be chemically interconverted or broken down into simpler substances and are primary costituents of matter.

Molecule : group of atoms bonded together representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound.

Compound : composed of two ore more separate chemical elements.

Chemical Reaction : an interaction between molecules that causes chemical change, converting existing substance into a new substance.

Carbohydrates- starches and sugars that are the main energy source for living things.

Lipids : Fats, waves, and steroids that are not soluble in water.

Nucleic Acids : DNA found in the nucleus and RNA found in the cytoplasm.

Proteins: Made up of one or more amino acids.

Amino Acids: The building blocks of protiens.

END OF BIOCHEMISTRY VOCAB

Cells : The basic unit of life

Homeostasis - The process where organisms maintain an internal balance

Eukaryotes - a cell that has a defined nucleus

Nucleus - The command center of the cell. DNA is located here. It is enclosed

Prokaryotic - The oldest form of life on Earth. Lack a defined nucleus

Cytoplasm - Mostly water and salt and it suspends the organelles within the cell

Cytoskeleton - Support network of protein fibers that form a framework for the cell.

Cell Wall - Made of cellulose to provide structure and strength to the cell

Chloroplasts - Contain chlorophyll for the process of photosynthesis

Mitochondria - Rod shaped organelles throughout the cell that convert food into energy for the cell.

Vacuole - Storage centers to hold nutrients or wastes for the cell.

Ribosomes - Make proteins

Endoplasmic Reticulum - Two types, Rough ER- has ribosomes and produces

Golgi appartus - receives proteins and lipids from the ER and packages, sorts and places in vesicles for the cell.

Lysosome - Digestion organelles of the cell. Break down big molecules into smaller molecules that the cell can use or excrete.

Centrioles - Pair of cylindrical tubules that play an important role in cell division.

Cilia and Flagella - Hairlike structures that extend from the surface of the cell.

Plasma Membrane - Flexible boundary forming the outside of the cell. Also called the cell membrane.

End of Cells : the basic unit of life

Cell Transport and Homeostasis Vocabulary :

Passive Transport

Movement of molecules across a barrier without using energy

Diffusion

The movement of one substance from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

1. Solute

Substance in a solution that is dissolved.

Solvent - Substance in a solution that dissolves the other substance.

Substance in a solution that dissolves the other substance.

Hypertonic-

Concentration of solutes is greater outside of the cell than inside.  Water moves from inside the cell out.

1. Hypotonic

Concentration of solutes is lower outside the cell than inside.  Water moves from the outside of the cell in.

1. Isotonic

The concentration of solute is the same inside the cell as outside.  Water moves equally into and out of the cell.

Facilitated DIffusion

Diffusion that requires the help of proteins in the membrane to take molecules in and out of the cell

Active Transport 

Requires the cell to use energy to move molecules from low concentration to high concentration.

The Cell Cycle and Eukaryotic Cell Division

Mitosis

Division of the cell

Cytokinesis

Division of the cytoplasm

Chromatid

One of the two identical "sister" parts of a duplicated chromosome.

Centromere

Area where the chromatids are attached.

Interphase

The period of growth between cell divisions.

Cell Cycle

The series of events that cells go through as they grow and divide.

Prophase

First and longest phase of mitosis. The chromosomes become visible and the centrioles separate and move to opposites sides of the cell.

Centriole

Two tiny structures located in the cytoplasm near the nuclear envelope.

Spindle

A fanlike microtubule structure that helps separate chromosomes.

Metaphase

Second phase of mitosis. Chromosomes line up across the center of the cell.

Anaphase

The third phase of mitosis. The centromeres that join the sister chromatids split, allowing the sister chromatids to separate and become individual chromosomes. They continue to move until they have separated into two groups near the poles of the spindle.

Telophase

The fourth and final phase of mitosis. THe chromosomes begin to disperse into a tangle of dense material.

Meiosis: Cell Divison for Reproduction

Homologus

Each chromosome that came from the male parent has a partner that came from the female parent.

Diploid

A cell that contains both sets of homologus chromosomes. Means 2 sets.

Haploid

A cell that contains only a single set of chromosomes. Meaning one set.