Bio/Chem Terms

one of about 20 small molecules that are building blocks of proteins

a substance produced by bacterium, fungus, or other organism that battles infections by killing bacteria and halting their growth

a condition where ones immune system reacts against own tissues

a virus that infects or lyses bacteria

one of a large varied class of microscopic, single-celled organisms; cause disease and help in digestion

richness of variety of life forms in a given environment

smallest unit capable of living independently, usually bounded by a membrane

fatty substance in tissues, produced in liver in humans, found in butter, eggs and meat

one of the rod like structures in nuclei that holds genetic information

process of copying a piece of DNA to allow it to be sequenced

chemical substance that carries genetic information

independent community of living organisms and their climate and geographical habitat

protein that promotes a chemical reaction in the body

one of a group of horomones that promote development of secondary female sex characteristics and reproductive system

single or multi celled organism whose cells have a distinct nuclei

process of gradual change that occurs a species adapt to environment

portion of DNA molecule that provides the blueprint for the assambly of proteins

collection of total diversity of genes in an interbreeding population

treatment where scientists try to implant genes into a persons cells so that they can develop proteins that the person lacks

process of determining the order of subunits within a gene or all the genes in an organism

complete set of an organisms genetic material

substance seceted in one part of an organism that regulates functioning of other tissues or organs

process of cell division that results in gametes, which contain half of the chromosomes

the sum of the body's chemical processes providing energy for vital functions and making new material available for synthesization

the process in which a cell devides its nucleus and other cell materials to duplicate

a nerve cell, found in the brain and spinal cord

the center of an atom, or portion of a cell that contains genetic information

living entity, capable of growth, metabolism and usually reproduction

observible properties and characteristics of an organism arising at least in part of its genetic make up

chemical secreted in by an animal to influence the behavior of other members of the species

phenomenon where patients show improvement when given fake medicine

single celled organism that doesn't have a distinct nucleus

complex molecule of one or more chains of amino acids

complex molecule similar to DNA but is single-stranded

population of organisms that breed with each other in nature to produce fertile offspring

cell that can give rise to other types of cells

type of horomone that freely enters cells

a horomone that develops and maintains male sexual characteristics

microscopic, often disease causing organism made of genetic material surrounded by a protein shell

class of compound in contrast to base, sour, turn litmus paper red/pink, donate protons in chemical reactions

substance that yields hydrogen ions in water, bitter, turn litmus paper blue

extremely strong, thin fiber made by pyrolyzing synthetic fibers

group of industrial chemicals that contains chlorine, fluorine and carbon

substance that can't be decomposed into a simplier substance

atom with same number of protons but different number of neutrons than others of the same element

basic unit of chemical compound

helium, argon, neon, krypton, radon, and xenon

transfer of fluid from a high concentration to a lower concentration

any of the possible stages of matter

huge molecule made up of many repeating molecules

neutral compound produced by the reaction of an acid with a base