ribosome
[noun]
a tiny structure within cells that assembles proteins by reading the genetic instructions carried by messenger RNA
Ex:
C2 Level Wordlist - Biology
Here you will learn all the essential words for talking about Biology, collected specifically for level C2 learners.
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Golgi apparatus
[noun]
a cellular organelle involved in the processing, packaging, and distribution of proteins and lipids within the cell, consisting of a stack of flattened membrane sacs called cisternae
Ex:
In
nerve cells
,
the
Golgi apparatus
contributes
to
the
formation
of
myelin
,
a
fatty
substance
protecting
nerve fibers
.
lysosome
[noun]
a small, enzyme-filled sac in a cell that breaks down waste materials and unwanted substances
Ex:
mitochondrion
[noun]
an organelle that is abundantly present in most cells and is responsible for energy production
Ex:
Dysfunction
of
the
mitochondrion
can
lead
to
a
variety
of
diseases
and
disorders
,
including
mitochondrial
myopathy
and
Leigh
syndrome
.
chloroplast
[noun]
a plant cell organelle that uses sunlight to produce energy and make glucose through photosynthesis
Ex:
nucleotide
[noun]
a molecule that forms the basic building block of DNA and RNA, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base
Ex:
A
chain
of
nucleotides
in
DNA
or
RNA
is
often
referred to
as
a
strand
or
sequence
.
polypeptide
[noun]
a linear chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, forming a primary structure of a protein
Ex:
Amino acids
link
together
through
peptide bonds
to
form
the
linear
structure
of
a
polypeptide
.
organelle
[noun]
a specialized, membrane-bound structure within a cell that performs specific functions, contributing to the cell's overall structure and function
Ex:
Golgi apparatus
,
an
organelle
with
stacked
membranes
,
modifies
and
packages
proteins
.
vacuole
[noun]
a cell organelle in plants, fungi, and some protists that stores nutrients, manages waste, and helps maintain cell pressure
Ex:
Vacuoles
in
yeast
cells
store
nutrients
,
aiding
in
survival
during
nutrient
scarcity
.
centriole
[noun]
a pair of small cylinders near the nucleus in animal cells, organizing cell division by forming the mitotic spindle
Ex:
During
cell division
,
centrioles
replicate
,
and
the
pairs
move
to
opposite
poles
of
the
cell
.
histone
[noun]
a type of protein that plays a structural role in the packaging of DNA into nucleosomes, fundamental units of chromatin
Ex:
Histones
help
organize
and
condense
long
strands
of
DNA
within
the
cell nucleus
.
telomere
[noun]
a repetitive DNA sequence at the end of a linear chromosome, protecting it from deterioration during replication, and playing a role in cellular aging and cancer development
Ex:
As
cells
divide
,
telomeres
gradually
shorten
,
acting as
a
biological clock
that
limits
the
number
of
divisions
.
phenotype
[noun]
the observable physical and behavioral characteristics of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype (genetic makeup) with the environment
Ex:
Flower
color
,
petal
shape
,
and
plant
height
are
plant
phenotypes
.
homeostasis
[noun]
the tendency of an organism or cell to regulate its internal environment and maintain a stable, balanced condition, despite external changes
Ex:
Breathing
rate
adjusts
to
maintain
the
balance
of
oxygen
and
carbon dioxide
in
the
body
,
demonstrating
respiratory
homeostasis
.
translation
[noun]
the process by which the information encoded in the sequence of nucleotides in DNA is converted into a functional product, typically a protein
Ex:
Translation
involves
initiation
,
elongation
,
and
termination
phases
,
orchestrating
the
synthesis
of
polypeptide
chains
.
transcription
[noun]
the process by which a segment of DNA is used as a template to synthesize a complementary RNA molecule
Ex:
The
complementary
RNA strand
synthesized
during
transcription
is
called
messenger RNA
(
mRNA
)
.
replication
[noun]
the process by which an organism duplicates its genetic material, particularly the copying of DNA in cell division
Ex:
Replication
starts
at
specific
sites
called
origins
of
replication
on
the
DNA
molecule
.
codon
[noun]
a sequence of three adjacent nucleotides in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid during protein synthesis or serves as a start or stop signal in the translation process
Ex:
Mutations
in
codons
can
lead
to
changes
in
the
amino acid
sequence
of
a
protein
,
affecting
its
function
.
symbiosis
[noun]
a close and often long-term interaction between two different species living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both
Ex:
Clownfish
and
sea anemones
exhibit
mutualistic
symbiosis
,
as
the
clownfish
receive
protection
,
and
the
anemones
benefit
from
food
scraps
.
ameba
[noun]
a single-celled, microscopic organism belonging to the group of protozoa, characterized by a flexible cell membrane and the absence of a fixed body shape
Ex:
prokaryote
[noun]
a simple, single-celled organism that lacks a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, such as bacteria and archaea
Ex:
chlorophyll
[noun]
a green pigment found in all green plants and cyanobacteria that is responsible for the absorption of the sunlight needed for the photosynthesis process
Ex:
During
autumn
,
chlorophyll
breaks down
in
deciduous
plants
,
revealing
other
pigments
and
causing
leaves
to
change
color
.
capsid
[noun]
the protein coat of a virus that encases its genetic material and helps it attach to and enter host cells during infection
Ex:
The
assembly
of
capsids
is
a
highly
regulated
process
during
the
viral
life cycle
.
eukaryote
[noun]
a type of living thing with cells that have a nucleus and other structures enclosed in membranes, like plants, animals, fungi, and some microorganisms
Ex:
Fungi
,
like
mushrooms
and
molds
,
belong to
the
eukaryote
group
due to
their
cellular
structure
.
ovum
[noun]
a mature, female reproductive cell or egg, typically larger than a sperm cell, capable of fusing with a sperm cell during fertilization to form a zygote
Ex:
The
ovum
contains
half
of
the
genetic
material
needed
to
form
a
new
individual
.
pepsin
[noun]
an enzyme produced in the stomach that helps in the digestion of proteins by breaking them down into smaller peptides
Ex:
adenosine triphosphate
[noun]
a molecule that carries energy within cells, composed of adenine, a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups
Ex:
During
cellular respiration
,
energy
from
nutrients
is
used
to
regenerate
adenosine triphosphate
.
biogas
[noun]
a gas, especially methane, that is produced as a result of the decomposition of animal or plant remains, which is used as fuel
Ex:
The
production
of
biogas
from
agricultural
residues
not
only
generates
energy
but
also
helps
manage
waste
more
effectively
.
cytoskeleton
[noun]
a network of protein fibers in a cell that gives it shape, supports its structure, and aids in movement
Ex:
The
cytoskeleton
is
involved
in
intracellular
transport
,
guiding
vesicles
and
organelles
to
their
destinations
.