ACT Science - Biology

Here you will learn some English words related to biology, such as "decomposition", "assimilate", "virion", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

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ACT Science
organism [noun]

a living thing such as a plant, animal, etc., especially a very small one that lives on its own

Ex: The rainforest teems with diverse organisms , from insects to mammals .

a substance that provides nutrients and conditions for the growth of cells or microorganisms

Ex: The growth medium must be sterile to prevent contamination .
culture [noun]

the process of growing cells, tissues, or organisms in an artificial environment with controlled conditions such as temperature, nutrients, and pH

Ex: Cell culture is essential in pharmaceutical research to produce vaccines and study cell behavior in controlled environments .

the chemical processes through which food is changed into energy for the body to use

Ex: The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism by producing hormones that control metabolic rate .
specimen [noun]

a small amount of something such as urine, blood, etc. that is taken for examination

Ex:
strain [noun]

a genetic variant or subtype of a microorganism, typically within a species, that possesses distinct characteristics from other members of the same species

Ex: Different strains of yeast are used in brewing beer to impart specific flavors and characteristics .

(of a cell, gland, or organ) to produce and release a liquid substance in the body

Ex:

to discharge waste products or substances from the body or cells into the environment, typically through urine, feces, or sweat

Ex: Plants excrete oxygen during photosynthesis as a byproduct .

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 .

a type of reproduction where a single organism can produce offspring without the involvement of another organism

meiosis [noun]

a type of cell division that creates reproductive cells with half the usual number of chromosomes

Ex: In humans , meiosis occurs in the cells that give rise to eggs and sperm , leading to the production of genetically diverse offspring .
mitosis [noun]

a type of cell division that results in the formation of two daughter cells, each having the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell

Ex: Mitosis is a fundamental process in tissue repair , allowing damaged cells to be replaced with identical copies through cell division .

the longest phase of the cell cycle during which the cell grows, replicates its DNA, and carries out its normal functions

prophase [noun]

the initial phase of mitosis, where chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes and the nuclear membrane dissolves, preparing for cell division

Ex: Prophase marks the start of nuclear division in mitosis , preparing the cell for chromosome segregation .

the stage of meiosis where homologous chromosomes align in pairs along the equator of the cell, preparing for their separation into haploid daughter cells

Ex: Crossing over between homologous chromosomes occurs during prophase I and influences their alignment in metaphase I.
anaphase [noun]

the stage of cell division where sister chromatids or homologous chromosomes are pulled apart towards opposite poles of the cell by spindle fibers

Ex: Spindle fibers shorten and pull chromatids apart during anaphase , ensuring each daughter cell receives a complete set of chromosomes .

the last stage of meiosis where chromosomes reach opposite poles, nuclear envelopes reform, and cells prepare to divide into daughter cells with half the original chromosome number

Ex: Cytokinesis typically follows telophase I , dividing the cell into two haploid daughter cells .

to break down or decompose naturally by biological processes, typically through the action of microorganisms like bacteria or fungi

Ex: Leaves and branches in forests biodegrade over time , returning nutrients to the soil .

any molecule produced by living organisms including large molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as smaller molecules like vitamins, hormones, and metabolites

the existence of a range of different plants and animals in a natural environment

Ex: The loss of biodiversity due to deforestation has significant impacts on global climate patterns .

a field of study that combines biology and computational methods to analyze and interpret biological data

biocompatible [adjective]

not causing harmful reactions or adverse effects when in contact with biological systems

a branch of biology that employs statistical analysis to study and interpret biological phenomena and observations

Ex: In ecological studies , biometrics help measure and interpret the physical traits of species within ecosystems .
mucus [noun]

a thick slimy substance produced by mucous membranes, inside the nose or the mouth, to lubricate and protect them

Ex: Allergies can cause the body to produce excess mucus , leading to nasal congestion and post-nasal drip .

the branch of biology that deals with microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, and their effects on living organisms

Ex: In microbiology , the study of bacteria plays a key role in medical research .
virion [noun]

a complete virus particle that includes genetic material wrapped in a protein coat, capable of infecting host cells to replicate

Ex: Virions attach to host cells and inject their genetic material to initiate infection .

the process of training or adapting behavior through repeated experiences or stimuli to produce specific responses or associations

Ex: Behavior conditioning in psychology involves reinforcing desired behaviors to encourage their repetition .
nutrient [noun]

a substance such as a vitamin, protein, fat, etc. that is essential for good health and growth

Ex: A balanced diet includes a variety of nutrients .

an approach to innovation and problem-solving that draws inspiration from nature's designs, processes, and systems

gamete [noun]

a special cell used for reproduction, with sperm cells being the male gametes and egg cells being the female gametes

the collection of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, that inhabit a particular environment

ecology [noun]

the scientific study of the environment or the interrelation of living creatures and the way they affect each other

Ex: In ecology , scientists look at how ecosystems function and interact .
anthropogenic [adjective]

refering to processes, effects, or phenomena that are caused by human activity or influence

Ex: Urbanization alters landscapes and ecosystems through anthropogenic development .

tourism that includes visiting endangered natural environments which aims at preservation of the wildlife and the nature

Ex: Ecotourism helps raise awareness about environmental issues while supporting local communities .
motility [noun]

the ability of an organism or cell to move independently using specialized structures such as flagella, cilia, or pseudopodia

Ex: Amoebas extend pseudopodia to achieve motility and capture prey in their environment .
protist [noun]

a single-celled organism that is neither a plant, animal, nor fungus, typically found in aquatic or moist environments

Ex: Some protists , like Plasmodium , cause diseases such as malaria in humans .
homologous [adjective]

reflecting a similarity in arrangement, type, or origin, particularly within the same species

Ex: Within the animal kingdom , one can find homologous bone structures that suggest a shared lineage .

the light produced by by living organisms as a result of biochemical reactions, often used for communication, attracting prey, or camouflage

Ex: Certain species of squid deploy bioluminescence as a defensive mechanism , releasing a burst of light to confuse predators or distract them while escaping .
hydroid [noun]

a small, plant-like aquatic organism belonging to the class Hydrozoa, often forming branching colonies

Ex: The aquarium 's new exhibit features a variety of hydroids and other fascinating sea creatures .

the process by which a differentiated cell changes its identity and adopts the characteristics of a different cell type

mycelium [noun]

the network of thread-like structures that form the vegetative part of a fungus, typically growing underground or within a substrate

Ex: The gardener noticed the white mycelium spreading through the soil , indicating healthy fungal activity .
mutualist [adjective]

(of an organism) engaging in a symbiotic relationship where both participants benefit from the interaction

Ex:
commensal [adjective]

describing a relationship between two organisms where one benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed

Ex:

a mutually beneficial symbiotic association between the roots of plants and fungi where the fungus colonizes the root system, facilitating nutrient uptake from the soil

(of organisms) to absorb and incorporate nutrients or substances from their environment into their own tissues or cells

Ex: The fish assimilate oxygen from the water through their gills .
spore [noun]

a reproductive cell capable of developing into a new organism without fusion with another cell, often adapted for survival in harsh conditions

Ex: Mold spreads quickly in damp environments due to the abundant production of spores .
biomass [noun]

the entirety of living organisms in a specific area or ecosystem, typically measured as dry weight after removing water

Ex: Farmers use crop residues as biomass fuel for generating renewable energy .
taxonomic [adjective]

related to how living things are categorized based on their similarities

Ex:

a shallow, circular, transparent dish with a lid, commonly used in laboratories to culture and study microorganisms

Ex: The Petri dish was sterilized before use to prevent contamination of the experiment .
agar [noun]

a gelatinous substance derived from seaweed and used as a gelling agent in various food

Ex: The agar cubes added a delightful chewiness to the tropical fruit salad .

the scientific study of how the universe is created, its development, and how it is going to end

virulent [adjective]

(of a disease) able to make one sick

Ex:

the natural process where bacteria and fungi break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the ecosystem

Ex: In composting , decomposition is accelerated by maintaining the right balance of moisture and temperature .

the underlying surface or material where an organism attaches, grows, or feeds

Ex: Aquarium plants need a sandy substrate to root and obtain nutrients effectively .
excitatory [adjective]

capable of triggering an increase in the activity or responsiveness of the cell or organism

a single-celled organism used extensively in biological research as a model organism

the process by which organisms evolve traits that improve their chances of survival and reproduction in a particular environment

Ex: Adaptation to drought enables certain plants to thrive in deserts .
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:

a scientist who studies the normal functions and activities of living organisms and their parts, often focusing on how biological systems work at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels

Ex: Physiologists research how hormones regulate metabolic processes in the body .
genus [noun]

(biology) any of the groups that plants, animals, etc. with similar characteristics are divided into, which is larger than a species and smaller than a family

Ex: Orchids belong to the genus Orchidaceae , which is one of the largest families of flowering plants .