aerobic
enhancing respiratory and circulatory efficiency; depending on free oxygen or air |
anaerobic
living or active in the absence of free oxygen |
asexual reproduction
reproduction without the fusion of gametes |
asteroids
any of numerous small celestial bodies that revolve around the sun |
carbon cycle
a thermonuclear reaction in the interior of stars; the organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back again |
cell organelles
specialized part of a cell; analogous to an organ |
chromosome
a structure in the cell nucleus that contains DNA |
density
thickness; quantity of something per unit measure, especially per unit length, area, or volume |
diffusion
act of dispersing or diffusing something |
gene
a segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain |
heredity
genetics; inheritance; genetic transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring |
homeostasis
metabolic equilibrium actively maintained by several complex biological mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous system to offset disrupting changes |
meiosis
cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms |
mitosis
cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes |
organ
natural part or structure in animal or plant, capable of performing some special action |
organisms
discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism |
osmosis
diffusion of molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a place of higher concentration to a place of lower concentration until the concentration on both sides is equal |
photosynthesis
chemical combination brought about by the action of light |
qualitative change
changes in kind or type |
quantitative change
an alteration in the number |
respiration
breathing; process of inhaling and exhaling; oxidative process occurring within living cells |
sexual reproduction
reproduction involving the union or fusion of a male and a female gamete |
species diversity
the variety of species in a given region or area |
tissue
groups of cells that make particular parts of the body; soft thin paper |
transpiration
the process of giving off or exhaling water vapor through the skin or mucous membranes; the emission of water vapor from the leaves of plants |
transport
carry from one place to another; carry away; deport |
