ABC Book of Biology

Y is for Yeast

A fungi. A single-celled eucaryoic organism; reproduces by budding.

S is for Seed

A seed is an ovule with a protective coating, encasing a mature living plant embryo and a nutrient source.

T is for Trait

A specific characteristic that varies from one individual to another.

V is for Virus

A tiny, nonliving particle that invades and then reproduces inside a living cell.

W is for Wetland

A wetland is an ecosystem in which water either covers the soil or is present at the surface of the soil for a year.

R is for RNA

RNA is a type of nucleic acid consisting of nucleotide monomers with a ribose sugar and the nitrogenous bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and uracil (U); usually single-stranded; functions in protein synthesis and as the genome of some viruses.

A is for Amino Acid

Amino Acids are building blocks that make up proteins. They are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and nitrogen and side chains. Combinations of 20 molecules that make up proteins.

B is for Bacteria

Bacteria are one of the six kingdoms of life. They are unicellular microorganisms lacking organelles and a nucleus. Some can cause disease.

C is for Cell

Cells are the basic unit of life. All living things are made up of one or more cells. They were first discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665 by looking at cork under a microscope

D is for DNA

DNA is a double stranded helix that carries the instructions for building and maintaining an organism. DNA is made up of a phosphate backbone, a sugar, and one of four bases: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine

E is for Evolution

Evolution is a theory credited to Charles Darwin. It explains how random changes in genetic material and competition for scarce resources cause species to change gradually.

F is for Fungi

Fungi are one of the six kingdoms of life. They are Eukaryotic and have a nucleus. They are vital to life on Earth and are the largest organisms on the planet. They break down dead matter, help plants absorb water, and get food by breaking down substances in their surroundings and absorbing the nutrients

G is for Gene

Genes are the basic unit of inheritance. They are a segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait.

H is for Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment.

I is for Internode

Internodes are the region between nodes on plant stems. They are between the points where leaves attach.

J is for Jellyfish

Jellyfish are part of the Cnidarian group. They are soft-bodied, carnivorous animals that have stinging tentacles arranged in circles around their mouths. They are the simplest animals to have body symmetry and specialized tissues

K is for Kingdoms

Kingdoms are a grouping system that divides all life into six major categories. The six are Eubacteria, Archaebacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. Organisms are grouped into three domains (Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya). Cell type, structure, and number along with the mode of nutrition are the simple relationships used as evidence in classifying organisms.

L is for Lichen

Lichens are made up of two different organisms. Typically they consist of a fungus and either algae or autotrophic bacteria that live together in a harmonious relationship.

M is for Mitosis

Mitosis is one of the two types of cell division seen in all living organisms in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes. Mitosis is considered Asexual reproduction.

O is for Organism

Organisms are living things. They are a form of life and anything that can carry out life processes independently.

X is forXerophyte

Plants that have adapted by altering their physical structures. Often have few or no leaves, which reduces water loss.

P is for Protein

Proteins are a macromolecule that contains the principal components of organism: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen; performs a variety of structural and regulatory functions for cells. It is an organic compound that is made of one or more chains of amino acids and is a principal component of all cells.

Q is for Quantitative Data

Quantitative Data is one of two main categories of data (quantitative and qualitative) gathered by scientific observation. Quantitative data is represented by measurements or counting. Qualitative data is descriptive and involves characteristics.

N is for Nucleus

The nucleus is the largest organelle in most eukaryotic cells. It is where DNA is stored, replicated and transcribed into mRNA. Whether a cell has a nucleus or not determines if the cell is eukaryotic (nucleus) or prokaryotic (lacking a nucleus).

U is for Uracil

Uracil is an organic base that substitutes for Thymine in RNA, and is one of the key differences between DNA or RNA.

Z is for Zooplankton

zooplankton are microscopic animals that swim or drift near the surface of aquatic environments