Glossary of biology
Glossary of Biology'
Biology, the science of life, encompasses a vast terminology used to describe the complex interactions and characteristics of living organisms. This glossary provides definitions for key biological terms, including their pronunciation, etymology, and related concepts.
Cell
- Pronunciation: /sɛl/
- Etymology: From Latin cella meaning small room.
A cell is the smallest unit of life that can replicate independently. It is considered the building block of all living organisms.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
- Pronunciation: /ˌdiː.ɛnˈeɪ/
- Etymology: From the Greek deoxy (lacking oxygen) and ribonucleic referring to its sugar component, ribose, which lacks an oxygen atom.
DNA is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.
Ecosystem
- Pronunciation: /ˈiː.koʊˌsɪs.təm/
- Etymology: From the Greek oikos (house) and systema (system), reflecting the integrated and interacting system of living organisms and their physical environment.
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system.
Photosynthesis
- Pronunciation: /ˌfoʊ.toʊˈsɪn.θə.sɪs/
- Etymology: From the Greek phōs (light) and synthesis (putting together), indicating the process by which plants and other organisms use sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water.
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct.
Protein
- Pronunciation: /ˈproʊˌtiːn/
- Etymology: From the Greek protos meaning first, indicating the primary importance of proteins to living organisms.
Proteins are large biomolecules, or macromolecules, consisting of one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalyzing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, responding to stimuli, and transporting molecules from one location to another.
Taxonomy
- Pronunciation: /tækˈsɒn.ə.mi/
- Etymology: From the Greek taxis (arrangement) and nomia (method), referring to the science of classifying living things.
Taxonomy is the branch of science concerned with classification, especially of organisms; systematics. It is the science of defining and naming groups of biological organisms on the basis of shared characteristics.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Glossary of biology
- Wikipedia's article - Glossary of biology
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