My name is Dylan and I have been studying Sciences at Collège Montmorency for a year. I made this glossary for people that are new to biology or even people that already are in biology. The glossary will have terms that are used in this field of study. Hopefully these definitions help you understand the meaning of words used in biology.
allele
noun
An allele is one of two or more alternative versions of a gene at a specific location on a chromosome.
Example: A person can inherit different ALLELES for the same gene from their parents.
en: allèle
atp
noun
A molecule that provides usable energy for cellular processes.
Example: Cells use ATP to power activities like active transport.
en: atp
cell
noun
The basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all living organisms.
Example: The endoplasmic reticulum is a series of folds of membrane which is the building site of most of the complex molecules produced in the CELL.
en: cellule
cell membrane
noun
A thin, flexible barrier that surrounds every living cell and separates its inside from the outside environment.
Example: The CELL MEMBRANE controls which substances enter and leave the cell.
en: membrane cellulaire
chromosome
noun
A structure made of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information.
Example: Humans normally have 46 CHROMOSOMESin most of their body cells.
en: chromosome
diffusion
noun
The spontaneous movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until they are evenly spread out.
Example: Oxygen moves into cells by DIFFUSION.
en: diffusion
dna
noun
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, which is the core molecule that carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all living organisms.
Example: Further research has shown small amounts of DNA, arranged in a covalently closed circular form.
en: adn
gene
noun
A segment of DNA that contains information.
Example: A GENE can contain instructions for producing a protein.
en: gène
genotype
noun
A genotype is an organism's complete set of genetic material, or the specific combination of genes inherited for a particular trait.
Example: The organism's GENOTYPE can influence its physical characteristics.
en: génotype
homeostasis
noun
The maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism.
Example: The human body maintains HOMEOSTASIS by regulating its temperature.
en: homéostasie
meiosis
noun
A type of cell division that produces reproductive cells with half the usual number of chromosomes.
Example: MEIOSIS produces sperm and egg cells.
en: méiose
mitochondrion
noun
A tiny, membrane-bound structure inside a cell that breaks down food to create chemical energy.
Example: Muscle cells contain many MITOCHONDRIA because they need a lot of energy.
en: mitochondrie
mitosis
noun
A type of cell division that produces two genetically similar cells.
Example: MITOSIS allows the body to produce new cells for growth and repair.
en: mitose
mutation
noun
A change in the DNA sequence.
Example: A MUTATION can sometimes change the function of a protein.
en: mutation
nucleus
noun
An organelle that contains most of a cell's DNA.
Example: The NUCLEUS controls many of the activities of the cell.
en: noyau
organelle
noun
A specialized structure inside a cell that performs a specific function.
Example: The main ORGANELLES are important.
en: organite
osmosis
noun
Osmosis is the spontaneous movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration.
Example: Water enters the plant cell through OSMOSIS.
en: osmose
phenotype
noun
The observable characteristics of an organism.
Example: Eye colour is an example of a PHENOTYPE.
en: phénotype
photosynthesis
noun
The process by which plants and other organisms use light energy to produce chemical energy.
Example: Plants perform PHOTOSYNTHESIS to produce glucose using light energy.
en: photosynthèse
ribosome
noun
A ribosome is a tiny molecular machine inside all living cells that builds proteins.
Example: RIBOSOMES build proteins using instructions from a messenger.
