Biology Terms A-Z

A

An organism that produces it own energy; a producer

B

A single-celled organism with a lack of a nucleus

C

The basic unit of life

D

A nucleic acid that serves as the basic genetic code

E

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment

F

When male and female reproductive cells join to form a new cell

G

A segment of DNA that codes for a protein and determines a trait

H

An organism that takes in energy from other organisms; a consumer

I

An animal that does not have a backbone

J

A place where two bones come together

K

The second phase of cellular respiration where pyruvic acid is broken down into carbon dixoide; also called the citric acid cycle

L

An immune system cell involved in fighting disease and infection; a white blood cell

M

The division of a cell

N

The center of a cell that contains the DNA

O

The diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane

P

The use of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce sugars and oxygen

Q

A compound necessary in electron transport in photosynthesis

R

The process by which one or more organisms produce offspring

S

A close interaction between two different organisms

T

The study of naming, defining, and classifying organisms based on characteristics

U

The layer underneath the canopy in a rainforest

V

An organelle that serves as the cell's storage tanks

W

An ecosystem where water covers most of the ground for all or part of the year

X

A plant tissue that transports water from the roots to other parts

Y

A single-celled fungus that reproduces asexually; found in baked goods

Z

A fertilized egg cell