Abiotic Factors: Non-living components of an ecosystem (e.g., water, air, sunlight).

Active Transport: The movement of substances across a membrane using energy.

Adaptation: Abiotic Factors:* Non-living components of an ecosystem (e.g., water, air, sunlight).

Active Transport: The movement of substances across a membrane using energy.

Adaptation: A characteristic that helps an organism survive in its environment.

Artery: A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Autotroph: An organism that makes its own food. characteristic that helps an organism survive in its environment.

Artery:  A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Autotroph: An organism that makes its own food. 

Bacteria: Microscopic single-celled organisms found almost everywhere.

Biodiversity: The variety of living organisms in an area.

Biology: The branch of science that studies living organisms and life processes.

Biotic Factors: Living components of an ecosystem.

Blood: A fluid that carries oxygen and nutrients in th 

Capillary: Tiny blood vessels where exchange of substances occurs.

Carrying Capacity: The maximum number of organisms an environment can support.

Carnivore: An animal that eats other animals.

Cell: The smallest unit of life that can perform all vital functions.

Cell Membrane: The protective outer layer of the cell that controls what enters and leaves.

Chloroplast: The organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis happens.

Chromosome: A thread-like structure in the nucleus that carries genetic information.

Circulatory System: The system that transports blood, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body.

Cloning: The process of producing genetically identical organisms.

Commensalism: A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

Competition: The struggle between organisms for limited resources.

Consumer: An organism that eats other organisms for energy.

Cytoplasm: The jelly-like substance inside the cell where activities happen.

Decomposer: An organism that breaks down dead organisms into simpler substances.

Diffusion: The movement of particles from an area of high concentration to low concentration.

Digestive System: The system that breaks down food into nutrients that the body can absorb.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid):The molecule that carries genetic information.

Ecology: The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with their environment.

Embryo: An early stage of development of an organism.

Endangered species: Species that are at risk of extinction.

Enzyme: A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living cells.

Eukaryote: An organism whose cells have a nucleus (e.g., plants and animals).

Evolution: The gradual change in organisms over a long period of time.

Extinction: The complete disappearance of a species.

Genetics:The study of heredity and variation in organisms.

Gestation:The period of development of an embryo in the mother’s body.

Growth:The increase in size and number of cells in an organism. 

Habitat: The natural home of an organism.

Heart: An organ that pumps blood throughout the body.

Herbivore: An animal that eats plants.

Heterotroph: An organism that depends on other organisms for food.

Homeostasis: The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment.

Hormone: A chemical messenger in the body that regulates activities.

Host: An organism that provides shelter or nutrients to a parasite.

Immune System:The system that protects the body from diseases and infections.

Inheritance:The passing of traits from parents to offspring.

Invertebrate: An animal without a backbone 

Lungs: Organs used for breathing and gas exchange. 

Metabolism: All chemical reactions that occur in a living organism to maintain life.

Mitochondria: The part of the cell that produces energy; called the “powerhouse of the cell.”

Muscle: Tissue that helps the body move.

Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence.

Mutualism: A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit. 

Nervous System: The system that controls and coordinates body activities.

Neuron: A nerve cell that transmits signals in the nervous system.

Nutrition: The process by which organisms obtain and use food.

Nucleus: The control center of the cell that contains DNA. 

Omnivore: An animal that eats both plants and animals.

Organ: A structure made of different tissues that performs a particular function.

Organ System: A group of organs that work together to carry out major body functions.

Organism: Any living thing.

Osmosis: The movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane. 

Parasite: An organism that lives on or in another organism and harms it.

Parasitism: A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed.

Photosynthesis: The process by which plants make food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.

Pollination: The transfer of pollen from the male part to the female part of a flower.

Population: A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area.

Predator: An organism that hunts and eats other organisms.

Prey: An organism that is hunted and eaten by predators.

Producer: An organism that makes its own food (e.g., plants).

Prokaryote: An organism whose cells do not have a nucleus (e.g., bacteria).

Protist: Mostly single-celled organisms that are not plants, animals, or fungi. 

Reproduction: The process by which living organisms produce offspring.

Respiration: The process of releasing energy from food using oxygen.

Response: A reaction of an organism to a stimulus.

Ribosome: The part of the cell where proteins are made.

Selective breeding: The process of choosing organisms with desired traits to reproduce.

Skeleton: The framework of bones that supports the body.

Species: A group of organisms that can reproduce and produce fertile offspring.

Stimulus: A change in the environment that causes a response.

Stomata: Small openings in leaves that allow gas exchange.

Symbiosis: A close relationship between different species.

Tissue: A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.

Transpiration: The process of water loss from plant leaves. 

Vacuole: A storage organelle in the cell.

Vein: A blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart.

Vertebrate: An animal with a backbone.

Virus: A tiny infectious agent that can only reproduce inside a host cell.

Zygote: The cell formed after fertilization.