BASIC BIOLOGY & ECOLOGY TERMS

biology: terms used in biology

biology: terms used in biology
aerobic(of an organism or process) depending on oxygen

agglutinationproteinaceous particles, such as blood cells and

bacteria, that form clumps in antibody–antigen reactions

albinoa person with congenital absence of pigmentation in the skin,

eyes, and hair

allele or allelomorphany of two or more variants of a gene that

have the same relative position on homologous chromosomes and
are responsible for alternative characteristics, such as smooth or
wrinkled seeds in peas

anaerobic(of an organism or process) requiring the absence of or

not dependent on the presence of oxygen

anteriorof or near the head end

asexualnot involving the fusion of male and female gametes, as in

vegetative reproduction, fission, or budding

assimilationthe change of digested food into the protoplasm of an

animal; also, the absorption and incorporation of nutritive elements
by plants, as in photosynthesis

bacteriaa very large group of microorganisms comprising one of

the three domains of living organisms. They are prokaryotic,
unicellular, and either free-living in soil or water or parasites of
plants or animals

binary fission asexual reproduction in unicellular organisms by

division into two daughter cells

biomass the total number of living organisms in a given area,

expressed in terms of living or dry weight per unit area

blood a reddish fluid in vertebrates that is pumped by the heart

through the arteries and veins, supplies tissues with nutrients,
oxygen, etc, and removes waste products. It consists of a fluid
(see blood plasma) containing cells (erythrocytes, leucocytes, and
platelets)
blood vesselan artery, capillary, or vein

boneany of the various structures that make up the skeleton in

most vertebrates

cellthe basic structural and functional unit of living organisms. It

consists of a nucleus, containing the genetic material, surrounded
by the cytoplasm in which are mitochondria, lysosomes, ribosomes,
and other organelles. All cells are bounded by a cell membrane;
plant cells have an outer cell wall in addition

chromosomeany of the microscopic rod-shaped structures that

appear in a cell nucleus during cell division, consisting of
nucleoprotein arranged into units (genes) that are responsible for
the transmission of hereditary characteristics

circulationthe transport of oxygenated blood through the arteries

to the capillaries, where it nourishes the tissues, and the return of
oxygen-depleted blood through the veins to the heart, where the
cycle is renewed

circulatory systemthe system concerned with the transport of

blood and lymph, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, lymph
vessels, etc

classany of the taxonomic groups into which a phylum is divided

and which contains one or more orders.

clonea group of organisms or cells of the same genetic constitution

that are descended from a common ancestor by asexual
reproduction, as by cuttings, grafting, etc, in plants

codominant(of genes) having both alleles expressed equally in the

phenotype of the organism

cold-blooded(of all animals except birds and mammals) having a

body temperature that varies with that of the surroundings

conceptionthe fertilization of an ovum by a sperm in the Fallopian

tube followed by implantation in the womb

copulateto perform sexual intercourse

cytoplasmthe protoplasm of a cell contained within the cell

membrane but excluding the nucleus: contains organelles, vesicles,
and other inclusions
digestionthe act or process in living organisms of breaking down
ingested food material into easily absorbed and assimilated
substances by the action of enzymes and other agents

diploid(of cells or organisms) having pairs of homologous

chromosomes so that twice the haploid number is present

division(in traditional classification systems) a major category of

the plant kingdom that contains one or more related classes

DNA or deoxyribonucleic aciddeoxyribonucleic acid; a nucleic

acid that is the main constituent of the chromosomes of all
organisms (except some viruses). The DNA molecule consists of two
polynucleotide chains in the form of a double helix, containing
phosphate and the sugar deoxyribose and linked by hydrogen bonds
between the complementary bases adenine and thymine or cytosine
and guanine. DNA is self-replicating, plays a central role in protein
synthesis, and is responsible for the transmission of hereditary
characteristics from parents to offspring

dominant(of an allele) producing the same phenotype in the

organism irrespective of whether the allele of the same gene is
identical or dissimilar

dorsalrelating to the back or spinal part of the body

ecosystema system involving the interactions between a

community of living organisms in a particular area and its nonliving
environment

eggthe oval or round reproductive body laid by the females of birds,

reptiles, fishes, insects, and some other animals, consisting of a
developing embryo, its food store, and sometimes jelly or albumen,
all surrounded by an outer shell or membrane

embryoan animal in the early stages of development following

cleavage of the zygote and ending at birth or hatching

environmentthe external surroundings in which a plant or animal

lives, which tend to influence its development and behaviour

enzymeany of a group of complex proteins or conjugated proteins

that are produced by living cells and act as catalysts in specific
biochemical reactions

epidermisthe thin protective outer layer of the skin, composed of

stratified epithelial tissue
evolutiona gradual change in the characteristics of a population of
animals or plants over successive generations: accounts for the
origin of existing species from ancestors unlike them

excretionthe act or process of excreting

familyany of the taxonomic groups into which an order is divided

and which contains one or more genera

fermentationa chemical reaction in which a ferment causes an

organic molecule to split into simpler substances, esp the anaerobic
conversion of sugar to ethyl alcohol by yeast

fertilizationthe union of male and female gametes, during sexual

reproduction, to form a zygote

flowerthe reproductive structure of angiosperm plants, consisting

normally of stamens and carpels surrounded by petals and sepals all
borne on the receptacle (one or more of these structures may be
absent). In some plants it is conspicuous and brightly coloured and
attracts insects or other animals for pollination

foetusthe embryo of a mammal in the later stages of development,

when it shows all the main recognizable features of the mature
animal, esp a human embryo from the end of the second month of
pregnancy until birth

food chaina sequence of organisms in an ecosystem in which each

species is the food of the next member of the chain

fossila relic, remnant, or representation of an organism that existed

in a past geological age, or of the activity of such an organism,
occurring in the form of mineralized bones, shells, etc, as casts,
impressions, and moulds, and as frozen perfectly preserved
organisms
fruitthe ripened ovary of a flowering plant, containing one or more
seeds. It may be dry, as in the poppy, or fleshy, as in the peach; any
fleshy part of a plant, other than the above structure, that supports
the seeds and is edible, such as the strawberry; the specialized
spore-producing structure of plants that do not bear seeds

fungusany member of a kingdom of organisms (Fungi) that lack

chlorophyll, leaves, true stems, and roots, reproduce by spores, and
live as saprotrophs or parasites. The group includes moulds,
mildews, rusts, yeasts, and mushrooms

gametea haploid germ cell, such as a spermatozoon or ovum, that

fuses with another germ cell during fertilization
genea unit of heredity composed of DNA occupying a fixed position
on a chromosome (some viral genes are composed of RNA). A gene
may determine a characteristic of an individual by specifying a
polypeptide chain that forms a protein or part of a protein
(structural gene); or encode an RNA molecule; or regulate the
operation of other genes or repress such operation

genusany of the taxonomic groups into which a family is divided

and which contains one or more species. For
example, Vulpes (foxes) is a genus of the dog family
(Canidae)germinationto cause (seeds or spores) to sprout or (of
seeds or spores) to sprout or form new tissue following increased
metabolism

gestationthe development of the embryo of a viviparous mammal,

between conception and birth: about 266 days in humans, 624 days
in elephants, and 63 days in cats

glanda cell or organ in man and other animals that synthesizes

chemical substances and secretes them for the body to use or
eliminate, either through a duct (exocrine gland) or directly into the
bloodstream (endocrine gland)

gonadan animal organ in which gametes are produced, such as a

testis or an ovary

growththe process or act of growing, esp in organisms following

assimilation of food

haploida haploid cell or organism

hereditythe transmission from one generation to another of genetic

factors that determine individual characteristics: responsible for the
resemblances between parents and offspring

hermaphroditean individual animal or flower that has both male

and female reproductive organs

hormonea chemical substance produced in an endocrine gland and

transported in the blood to a certain tissue, on which it exerts a
specific effect

hybridan animal or plant resulting from a cross between genetically

unlike individuals. Hybrids between different species are usually
sterile

inheritancethe derivation of characteristics of one generation from

an earlier one by heredity
invertebrateany animal lacking a backbone, including all species
not classified as vertebrates
kingdomany of the major categories into which living organisms of
the domain Eukarya are classified. Modern systems recognize four
kingdoms: Protoctista (algae, protozoans, etc), Fungi, Plantae,
and Animalia

Krebs cyclea stage of tissue respiration: a series of biochemical

reactions occurring in mitochondria in the presence of oxygen by
which acetate, derived from the breakdown of foodstuffs, is
converted to carbon dioxide and water, with the release of energy

life cyclethe series of changes occurring in an animal or plant

between one development stage and the identical stage in the next
generation

meiosisa type of cell division in which a nucleus divides into four

daughter nuclei, each containing half the chromosome number of
the parent nucleus: occurs in all sexually reproducing organisms in
which haploid gametes or spores are produced

menstruationthe approximately monthly discharge of blood and

cellular debris from the uterus by nonpregnant women from puberty
to the menopause

metabolismthe sum total of the chemical processes that occur in

living organisms, resulting in growth, production of energy,
elimination of waste material, etc

metamorphosisthe rapid transformation of a larva into an adult

that occurs in certain animals, for example the stage between
tadpole and frog or between chrysalis and butterfly

mitosisa method of cell division, in which the nucleus divides into

daughter nuclei, each containing the same number of chromosomes
as the parent nucleus

musclea tissue composed of bundles of elongated cells capable of

contraction and relaxation to produce movement in an organ or part

mutationa change in the chromosomes or genes of a cell. When

this change occurs in the gametes the structure and development of
the resultant offspring may be affected

natural selectiona process resulting in the survival of those

individuals from a population of animals or plants that are best
adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions. The survivors
tend to produce more offspring than those less well adapted, so that
the characteristics of the population change over time, thus
accounting for the process of evolution

nitrogen cyclethe natural circulation of nitrogen by living

organisms. Nitrates in the soil, derived from dead organic matter by
bacterial action, are absorbed and synthesized into complex organic
compounds by plants and reduced to nitrates again when the plants
and the animals feeding on them die and decay

nucleus(in the cells of eukaryotes) a large compartment, bounded

by a double membrane, that contains the chromosomes and
associated molecules and controls the characteristics and growth of
the cell

orderany of the taxonomic groups into which a class is divided and

which contains one or more families.
organa fully differentiated structural and functional unit, such as a
kidney or a root, in an animal or plant

osmosisdiffusion through any membrane or porous barrier, as in

dialysis

ovulationthe process by which a mature ovum escapes from an

ovary

ovuman unfertilized female gamete; egg cell

parasitean animal or plant that lives in or on another (the host)

from which it obtains nourishment. The host does not benefit from
the association and is often harmed by it

pathogenany agent that can cause disease

pectoralof or relating to the chest, breast, or thorax

photosynthesis(in plants) the synthesis of organic compounds

from carbon dioxide and water (with the release of oxygen) using
light energy absorbed by chlorophyll

phyluma major taxonomic division of living organisms that contain

one or more classes. An example is the phylum Arthropoda (insects,
crustaceans, arachnids, etc, and myriapods)

poikilothermic(of all animals except birds and mammals) having a

body temperature that varies with the temperature of the
surroundings
pollena fine powdery substance produced by the anthers of seed-
bearing plants, consisting of numerous fine grains containing the
male gametes

pollinateto transfer pollen from the anthers to the stigma of (a

flower)

pollutionharmful or poisonous substances introduced into an

environment

posterior(of animals) of or near the hind end; (of a flower) situated

nearest to the main stem

predatorany carnivorous animal

pregnancythe period from conception to childbirth

progenythe immediate descendant or descendants of a person,

animal, etc

propagationreproduction or multiplication, as of a plant or animal

proteinany of a large group of nitrogenous compounds of high

molecular weight that are essential constituents of all living
organisms. They consist of one or more chains of amino acids linked
by peptide bonds and are folded into a specific three-dimensional
shape maintained by further chemical bonding

protoplasmthe living contents of a cell, differentiated into

cytoplasm and nucleoplasm

pubertythe period at the beginning of adolescence when the sex

glands become functional and the secondary sexual characteristics
emerge

recessive(of a gene) capable of producing its characteristic

phenotype in the organism only when its allele is identical

reproductionany of various processes, either sexual or asexual, by

which an animal or plant produces one or more individuals similar to
itself

respirationthe chemical breakdown of complex organic

substances, such as carbohydrates and fats, that takes place in the
cells and tissues of animals and plants, during which energy is
released and carbon dioxide produced (internal respiration)

RNA or ribose nucleic acidribonucleic acid; any of a group of

nucleic acids, present in all living cells, that play an essential role in
the synthesis of proteins. On hydrolysis they yield the pentose sugar
ribose, the purine bases adenine and guanine, the pyrimidine bases
cytosine and uracil, and phosphoric acid

ribosomeany of numerous minute particles in the cytoplasm of

cells, either free or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum, that
contain RNA and protein and are the site of protein synthesis

rootthe organ of a higher plant that anchors the rest of the plant in
the ground, absorbs water and mineral salts from the soil, and does
not bear leaves or buds

seeda mature fertilized plant ovule, consisting of an embryo and its

food store surrounded by a protective seed coat (testa)

sexual reproductionreproduction involving the fusion of a male

and female haploid gamete

skeletona hard framework consisting of inorganic material that

supports and protects the soft parts of an animal's body and
provides attachment for muscles: may be internal (an
endoskeleton), as in vertebrates, or external( an exoskeleton), as in
arthropods

skinthe tissue forming the outer covering of the vertebrate body: it

consists of two layers (the dermis and epidermis), the outermost of
which may be covered with hair, scales, feathers, etc. It is mainly
protective and sensory in function

soilthe top layer of the land surface of the earth that is composed of
disintegrated rock particles, humus, water, and air

speciesany of the taxonomic groups into which a genus is divided,

the members of which are capable of interbreeding: often
containing subspecies, varieties, or races. A species is designated in
italics by the genus name followed by the specific name, for
example Felis domesticus (the domestic cat)

spermatozoon or spermany of the male reproductive cells

released in the semen during ejaculation, consisting of a flattened
egg-shaped head, a long neck, and a whiplike tail by which it moves
to fertilize the female ovum

sporea reproductive body, produced by bacteria, fungi, various

plants, and some protozoans, that develops into a new individual.
A sexual spore is formed after the fusion of gametes and
an asexual spore is the result of asexual reproduction
symbiosisa close and usually obligatory association of two
organisms of different species that live together, often to their
mutual benefit

translocationthe transfer of one part of a chromosome to another

part of the same or a different chromosome, resulting in
rearrangement of the genes

transpirationthe act or process of transpiring; specif., the giving

off of moisture, etc. through the pores of the skin or through the
surface of leaves and other parts of plants

ventralrelating to the front part of the body; towards the belly

vertebrateany chordate animal of the

subphylum Vertebrata, characterized by a bony or cartilaginous
skeleton and a well-developed brain: the group contains fishes,
amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals

virusany of a group of submicroscopic entities consisting of a single

nucleic acid chain surrounded by a protein coat and capable of
replication only within the cells of living organisms: many are
pathogenic

vitaminany of a group of substances that are essential, in small

quantities, for the normal functioning of metabolism in the body.
They cannot usually be synthesized in the body but they occur
naturally in certain foods: insufficient supply of any particular
vitamin results in a deficiency disease

viviparous(of animals) producing offspring that as embryos

develop within and derive nourishment from the body of the female
parent

warm-blooded(of birds and mammals) having a constant body

temperature, usually higher than the temperature of the
surroundings

X-chromosomethe sex chromosome that occurs in pairs in the

diploid cells of the females of many animals, including humans, and
as one of a pair with the Y-chromosome in those of males

Y-chromosomethe sex chromosome that occurs as one of a pair

with the X-chromosome in the diploid cells of the males of many
animals, including humans

zygotethe cell resulting from the union of an ovum and a

spermatozoon▷ See biology
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All ENGLISH synonyms that begin with 'B'

ecology
study of the relations of organisms to their environment
An invasive grass species has sparked the interest of researchers studying
the ecology of wildfires in the western United States.

biosphere
the regions of the Earth where living organisms exist
Anything that destroys habitat — mining, pollution, deforestation and global
warming — disrupts the biosphere.New York Times (Jul 28, 2012)

biotic
of or relating to living organisms

population
a group of organisms of the same species inhabiting an area
Small, fragmented populations in certain regions could require additional
attention to ensure their survival.Scientific American (Apr 22, 2013)

community
group of interdependent organisms living in the same region

ecosystem
organisms interacting with their physical environment
Salt marshes are among the most ecologically productive and
diverse ecosystems in the United States.Scientific American (Mar 12, 2013)

biome
major ecological community with distinct climate and flora
Biotic communities of the northern desert shrub biome in Western
Utah.Durrant, Stephen D.

habitat
the type of environment in which an organism normally lives
Water voles numbers have dropped by around 90 per cent in the past few
decades due to habitat loss and minks preying on them.

niche
status or place of an organism within its environment
Find a less crowded niche, and carve out a specialty.

predation
the act of preying by an animal that kills and eats the prey
Calcified shells provide critical protection against predation and desiccation
in sessile marine animals such as oysters.Nature (Oct 3, 2012)
symbiosis
the relation between two interdependent species of organisms
This turned out to be a perfect symbiosis of game and platform.New York
Times (Apr 4, 2012)
mutualism
the relation between two organisms that benefit each other

commensalism
when one organism benefits from another without damaging it
Though no crab, perhaps, is truly parasitic, some live in relations of
“ commensalism” with other animals.Various

parasitism
when one organism benefits from another by causing damage
They have been extensively studied in connection with the parasitism of
certain fungous diseases which cause the soft rots of fruits and
vegetables.Thatcher, Roscoe Wilfred

autotroph
an organism capable of synthesizing its own food

heterotroph
an organism that cannot make its own food supply
herbivore
any animal that feeds chiefly on grass and other plants
Many herbivores play an important role in maintaining plant life by eating
leaves and dispersing seeds.BBC (Sep 6, 2012)

carnivore
a terrestrial or aquatic flesh-eating mammal
Human-lion conflict occurs often in more rural settings, and people are
advised to not kill carnivores or they will face prosecution.

omnivore
an animal that feeds on both animal and vegetable substances
Gorillas are omnivores, meaning they’ll eat just about anything — including
tree bark.
detritus
the remains of something that has been destroyed or finished
Even as villagers stared out at an ocean of detritus littered by the tsunami,
cherry blossoms, the harbinger of spring, bloomed.

trophic
of or relating to nutrition or feeding
"Hence, moving offshore will mask inshore declines in
mean trophic levels."Scientific American (Jan 4, 2011)

food chain
community of organisms where each member is eaten by another
Because some persistent compounds accumulate at the top of the food
chain, humans can be exposed to POPs by eating meat and fish.Scientific
American (Apr 11, 2013)

food web
community of organisms with several interrelated food chains
Persistent organic pollutants magnify every step up a food web to top
predators such as dolphins, seals and sea lions.Scientific American (Mar 14,
2013)

biomass
the total amount of living matter in a given unit area
We are talking nine times the total biomass of the Earth.Scientific American
(Feb 7, 2013)

matter
that which has mass and occupies space
Sure enough, Shanghai’s level of fine particulate matter under 2.5 microns
registered a hazardous 267 on Wednesday.

nutrient
any substance that can be metabolized to give energy
Microbes are usually detected in laboratories by feeding nutrients to
suspected samples so they grow and expend.

nitrogen fixation
the assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by soil bacteria and its release for
plant use on the death of the bacteria
The excess phosphorus may signal that conditions are ripe for nitrogen
fixation.New York Times (Apr 12, 2011)