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General Biology Key Terms and Concepts

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  • Homeostasis

    Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment in an organism despite external changes.

  • Solute

    A solute is a substance dissolved in a solvent to form a solution.

  • Maltose

    Maltose is a disaccharide sugar composed of two glucose units.

  • Catalyst

    A catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed.

  • Domain

    Domain is the highest taxonomic rank, grouping organisms based on fundamental differences.

  • Hydrophilic

    Hydrophilic molecules are attracted to water and can dissolve in it.

  • Ribose

    Ribose is a five-carbon sugar found in RNA.

  • Light microscope

    A light microscope uses visible light to magnify small objects for viewing.

  • Kingdom

    Kingdom is a major taxonomic category below domain grouping related phyla.

  • Hydrophobic

    Hydrophobic molecules repel water and do not dissolve in it.

  • Deoxyribose

    Deoxyribose is a sugar in DNA lacking one oxygen atom compared to ribose.

  • Scanning electron microscope

    A scanning electron microscope produces detailed 3D images of specimen surfaces.

  • Phylum

    Phylum is a taxonomic rank below kingdom grouping related classes.

  • Acid

    An acid is a substance that increases hydrogen ion concentration in solution.

  • Galactose

    Galactose is a monosaccharide sugar found in milk.

  • Transmission electron microscope

    A transmission electron microscope passes electrons through thin samples to view internal structures.

  • Class

    Class is a taxonomic rank below phylum grouping related orders.

  • Base

    A base is a substance that reduces hydrogen ion concentration in solution.

  • Lactose

    Lactose is a disaccharide sugar made of glucose and galactose.

  • Cytosol

    Cytosol is the fluid portion inside cells where organelles are suspended.

  • Order

    Order is a taxonomic rank below class grouping related families.

  • pH scale

    The pH scale measures acidity or alkalinity from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic).

  • Sucrose

    Sucrose is a common disaccharide made of glucose and fructose.

  • Peroxisome

    Peroxisomes are organelles that break down fatty acids and detoxify harmful substances.

  • Family

    Family is a taxonomic rank below order grouping related genera.

  • Buffer

    A buffer stabilizes pH by neutralizing added acids or bases.

  • Lipids

    Lipids are organic molecules including fats, oils, and steroids, important for energy storage and membranes.

  • Centrioles

    Centrioles are cylindrical structures involved in cell division in animal cells.

  • Genus

    Genus is a taxonomic rank below family grouping closely related species.

  • Organic molecule

    An organic molecule contains carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen, often forming the basis of life.