Vocabulary for the Advanced Biology Exam

Abdomen – Muscles in the abdominal cavity

Adenine – one of the 4 bases in DNA (Adenine + Thymine)
Aerobe – Needs oxygen
Algae – Protists that are strict phototrophs (Green, red, brown)
Alveolus – Any of the tiny air cells of the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged
Amniotic egg – Embryo has a water and food supply
Anaerobe – Does not need oxygen
Angiosperm – Flowering plants
Annelids – Segmented worms
Anther – Produces Pollen
Antibiotic – A substance that can inhibit the growth of or kill some microorganisms
Anticodon – A region of tRNA that consists of three bases complementary to the codon on the mRNA
Arteries – Blood vessels that takes blood away from the heart to the body
Arthropods – “Joint foot”; Insects and Crustaceans
Asymmetrical – Irregular shape
Atriums – Chambers that receive blood that is returning to the heart (two atriums in mammals)
Autotroph – Living things that makes their own food
Bacillus – A rod-shaped bacterium
Bacteria – Prokaryote that compose in kingdom Eubacteria and kingdom Archaebacteria
Bacteriophage – A virus that infects bacteria
Bilateral Symmetry – Both left and right halves are similar
Bile – Breaks down fats; Produced by liver and stored in gall bladder
Binary Fission – A form of asexual reproduction in single-celled organisms by which one cell divides into two
cells of the same size
Binomial Nomenclature – A system for giving each organism a two-word scientific name that consists of the
genus name followed by the species name
Bronchioles – Smaller tubes that connect the bronchi and alveoli
Bronchus – One of the two tubes that connect the lungs with the trachea
Capillaries – The smallest blood vessels that allow gas exchange, hormones, and other molecules in the blood
Capsule – A protective layer of polysaccharides around the cell wall in bacteria
Cephalothorax – The area where the head is connected to the throat
Chitin – A carbohydrate that forms part of the exoskeleton of arthropods and other organisms (Insects,
crustaceans, fungi and some algae)
Cilia – A hair-like structure arranged in tightly packed rows that project from the surface of some cell
Class – A taxonomic category containing orders with common characteristics
Cloning – The process of making clones
Coccus – A sphere-shaped bacterium
Codon – A three-nucleotide sequence that encodes an amino acid or signifies a start signal or a stop signal
Cone – A seed-bearing structure
Conjugation – A process in which two organisms exchange genetic material
Consumer – An organism that eats other organism or organic matter instead of producing its own nutrients or
obtaining nutrients from inorganic sources
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 Vocabulary for the Advanced Biology Exam

Contractile Vacuole – A sac-like organelle that expands and contracts to get rid of water
Cotyledon – Nutrients for the embryo to survive
Cuticle – Waxy layer to protect from drying out
Cyanobacteria – A bacterium that can carry out photosynthesis (blue-green alga)
Cystic Fibrosis – A fatal genetic disorder in which excessive amounts of mucus are secreted, blocking intestinal
and bronchial ducts, causing difficulty in breathing
Cytosine – One of the 4 bases of DNA (Cytosine + Guanine)
Decomposer – An organism that feeds by breaking down organic matter from dead organisms (Bacteria/Fungi)
Diatom – A unicellular alga that has a double shell that contains silica
Dichotomous key – An identification key that contains pairs of contrasting descriptions
Dicot – An angiosperm that has two cotyledons, branched veins, and petals in groups of four and five.
Dinoflagellate – Member of the phylum Dinoflagellata; has two flagella
Diploid – Two sets of chromosomes
DNA – Deoxyribonucleic Acid; contains the info that determines inherited characteristics
DNA helicase – An enzyme unwinds the DNA double helix during DNA replication
DNA fingerprinting – The pattern of bands that results when an individual’s DNA fragments are separated
DNA replication – The process of making copy of DNA
DNA polymerase – An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of the DNA molecule
Dolly (Cloned sheep) – The first successful cloned animal made in 1997
Double Helix – The spiral-staircase structure characteristics of the DNA molecule
Echinoderms – “Spiny skinned”; Starfish, Sea urchins, and Sand Dollar
EcoRI – A endonuclease enzyme isolated from strains of E. coli
Exothermic – Heat is from the environment
Endoskeleton – Hard, internal skeleton (Humans)
Endospore – A thick-walled protective spore that forms inside a bacterial cell and resists harsh conditions
Endothermic – Heat is from inside the body
Epiglottis – Flap of tissue that covers opening to the larynx; keeps food and drink out of trachea
Euglena – Protist that has an eyespot for photosynthesis
Eukaryote – An organism made up of cells with nuclei, enclosed by membranes, multiple chromosomes, and
amniotic cycle
Exhalation – Carbon dioxide is being pushed out of the body
Exon –The portion of the DNA sequence in a gene that contains the sequence of amino acids in a chain and the
beginning and the end of a coding sequence
Exoskeleton – Rigid, external skeleton
Eyespot – Light-sensitive organ
Family – The taxonomic category below the order and above the genus
Flagella – A long, hair-like structure that grows out of a cell and enables the cell to move
Frond – The leaf of a fern or palm
Fruit – The plant organ in which the seeds are enclosed
Fungi – Kingdom of heterotrophic single-celled, multinucleated, or multicellular organisms, including yeasts,
molds, and mushrooms
Gall Bladder – Stores bile
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 Vocabulary for the Advanced Biology Exam

Gamete – A haploid reproductive cell that unites with another haploid reproductive cell to form a zygote
Gametophyte – (Alternation of Generations) Phase in which gametes are formed
Gel Electrophoresis – The process in which DNA and RNA molecules can be separated according to size and
electrical charge by applying an electric current to them while they are in a gel.
Gene Therapy – The insertion of genes into an individual's cells and tissues to treat a disease
Genetic Engineering – A technology in which the genome of living cell is modified for medical or industrial use
Genome – The complete genetic material contained in an individual
Genus – The level of classification that comes after family and that contains similar species
Gill Slits – A perforation between two gill arches through which water taken in through the mouth of a fish
passes over the gills and out of the fish’s body
Guanine – one of the 4 bases in DNA (Cytosine + Guanine)
Gymnosperm – A woody vascular seed plant whose seeds are not enclosed by an ovary or frui
Haploid – Cell that contains one set of chromosomes
Hemophilia – A condition that impairs the blood’s ability to clot
Heterotroph – Living things that cannot make their own food
HindIII – Restriction enzyme
Host – Parasites feed off of this to retrieve nutrients
Human Genome Project – A research effort to sequence and locate the entire collection of genes in human cells
Hypha – A non-reproductive filament of a fungus
Inhalation – Oxygen being drawn into the lungs
Insulin – a hormone that converts sugars into energy (ATP)
Intron – A section if DNA that does not code for an amino acid and that is transcribed into RNA but is removed
before it is translated
Kingdom – The highest taxonomic category, which contains a group of similar phyla
Large Intestine – “Colon”; Place where undigested food goes and turns into fecal matter; makes vitamins B and
K
Larynx – Voice Box
Lateral Line Organ –A faint like visible on both sides of a fish’s body that runs the length of the body and
marks the location of sense organs that detect vibrations in water
Lichen – A mass of fungal and algal cells that grow together in a symbiotic relationship and that are usually
found on rocks or trees
Liver – Secretes enzymes and chemicals into the duodenum; produces bile
Lysis – The dissolution or destruction of cells, such as blood cells or bacteria, as by the action of a specific lysin
that disrupts the cell membrane
Lysogenic Cycle – A cycle in which the viral genome replicates without destroying the host cell
Lytic Cycle – A cycle of viral infection, replication, and cell destruction
Mammary Gland – A gland that is located in the chest of a female mammal and that secretes milk
Marsupials – Mammals that use a pouch to develop immature young
Medusa – A free-swimming jellyfish-like and often umbrella shaped sexual stage in the life cycle of cnidarians
Metamorphosis – A phase in the life cycle of many animals during which a rapid change from the immature
organism to the adult takes place (insects: larvaadult)

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 Vocabulary for the Advanced Biology Exam

mRNA – A single-stranded RNA molecule that encodes the information to make a protein
Mollusks – Gastropods, Cephalopods, and Bivalves
Monocot – A plant that produces seed that have only one cotyledon
Monotremes – Mammals that hatch out of an egg
Mycelium – The mass of fungal filaments that forms the body of a fungus
Mycorrhiza – A symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots
Nematodes – Roundworms (Heartworm)
Nematocysts – A stinging cell that is used to inject a toxin into prey
Notochord – Primitive backbone
Nucleotides – A subunit that consists of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base
Operculum – A hard plate that is attached to each side of the head in fishes
Oral Groove – Mouth of paramecium
Order – The taxonomic category below the class and above the family
Organ – Tissues organized into specialized functions in the body
Ovule – A structure in the ovary of a seed plant that contains an embryo sac and that develops into a seed after
fertilization
Pancreas – Gland that produces insulin; breaks down carbs, proteins, and fats
Parasite – An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism while contributing
nothing to the survival of its host
Pathogen – Disease-causing substance
Pellicle – A thin layer of membrane around bacteria
Pharynx – Upper part of the throat
Phylum – The taxonomic group below kingdom and above class
Pili – A short, thick appendage that allows a bacterium to attach to another bacterium
Pistil – The female reproductive part of a flower that produces seeds (ovary, style, and stigma)
Placenta – The structure that attaches a developing fetus to the uterus and that enables the exchange of nutrients,
wastes, and gases between the mother and the fetus
Plasmid – A circular DNA molecule that is usually found in bacteria and that can replicate independent of the
main chromosome
Plasmodium – The multinucleate cytoplasm of a slime mold that is surrounded bt a membrane and that moves a
mass
Platelets – Cell fragments of cytoplasm; clots blood vessel if a hole develops in it
Pollen – The male gamete in a flower
Polyp – Tube-like, sessile cnidarians
Producer – An organism that can make organic molecules form inorganic molecules
Prokaryote – An organism that consists of a single cell that does not have a nucleus or cell organelles
Protista – Kingdom of protists
Protozoa – A single-celled protist that can be aquatic or parasitic that has organelles enclosed by a membrane
Pseudopodium – A retractable temporary cytoplasmic extension that functions in food ingestions and movement
in certain ameboid cells
Purine – Adenine and Guanine
Pyrimidine – Thymine and Cytosine
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 Vocabulary for the Advanced Biology Exam

Radial Symmetry – Body parts are arranged around a central axis

Recombinant DNA – DNA molecules that are artificially created by combining DNA from different sources
Red Blood Cells – “Erythrocytes”; no nucleus, has hemoglobin, lifespan is 4 months, made in bone marrow
Respiration – Intake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide
Restriction enzymes – An enzyme that destroys foreign DNA molecules by cutting them at specific sites
Rhizoid – A root-like structure in nonvascular plants that hold the plants in place and aids in absorption
(Mosses/liverworts)
RNA – Ribonucleic Acid; A natural polymer that is present in all living cells and that plays a role in protein
synthesis
RNA Polymerase – An enzyme that starts the formation of RNA by using a strand of DNA molecule as a
template
Seed – A plant embryo that is enclosed in a protective coat
Seed Coat – The protective, outer covering of a seed
Sepal – One of the outermost rings of modified leaves that protects the flower bud
Sori – Clusters if spores or sporangia
Species – A group of organisms that are closely related and naturally mate to produce fertile offspring
Spicule – Needles of silica and calcium carbonate (limestone)
Spirillum – A spiral-shaped bacterium
Sponges –Simplest animal part of the phylum Porifera
Spongin – Flexible protein fibers and spicules
Spore – A reproductive cell or multicellular structure that is resistant to environmental conditions and that can
develop into an adult without fusion with another cell
Sphorophyte – (Alternation of Generations) The diploid individual produces haploid spores
Sporozoan – Parasitic protists that form spores during their reproduction cycle
Stamen – The male reproductive structure of a flower that produces pollen (anther and filament)
Stigma – The part of a pistil that receives the pollen
Stomach – A muscle that contracts and mixes food
Swim Bladder – Regulates a fish’s depth/buoyancy
Taxonomy – The science of describing, naming , and classifying organisms
Tentacle – Contains cnidocytes
Thymine – One of the 4 bases in DNA (Adenine +Thymine)
Tissue – Cells that are organized for a specialized function
Trachea – Windpipe
Transcription – The process of forming a nucleic acid b using another molecule as a template
Transgenic Animals – An animal into which cloned genetic material has been transferred
Translation – The portion of protein synthesis that takes place at ribosomes and that uses the codons in mRNA
molecules to specify the sequence of amino acids in polypeptide chains
tRNA – An RNA molecule that transfers amino acids to the growing end of a polypeptide chain during
translation
Universal Donor – Blood type “O”
Universal Recipient – Blood type “AB”

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 Vocabulary for the Advanced Biology Exam

Uracil – One of the four bases that combine with sugar and phosphate to form a nucleotide subunit of RNA
(Adenine +Uracil)
Vaccines – A substance prepared from killed or weakened pathogens and introduced to a body to produce
immunity
Valves – A fold of membranes that controls the flow of a fluid
Vector – An agent that can incorporate foreign DNA and transfer that DNA from the one organism to another
Veins – Blood vessels that carries the blood to the heart and to the lungs
Vena Cava – Large veins
Ventricles – Two large muscular chambers that pump blood out of the heart
Viral Envelope – A membrane surrounding the capsid
Virus – A nonliving, infectious particle composed of a nucleic acid and a protein coat
Volvox – a colonial organism
White Blood Cells – “Leukocytes”; defend the body from disease; has nucleus