Amino acids

Small molecules from which proteins are synthesized.

Amphibia

A class of vertebrates - including frogs, toads, and newts - that are poikilothermic. They have four limbs, often with webbed hind feet, lungs, and moist skin for breathing. Reproduce sexually via external fertilization.

Animal (kingdom)

A biological kingdom consisting of multicellular organisms without a cell wall or chloroplasts. They ingest and digest food for energy.

Arachnids

A class of arthropods including spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites. Arachnids have a segmented body, four pairs of jointed legs, and several pairs of simple eyes.

Arthropods

A phylum consisting of invertebrate animals with jointed limbs, segmented bodies, and a hard external skeleton (cuticle). Includes crustaceans, myriapods, arachnids, and insects.

Binomial system

A universal system for naming organisms using their genus and species.

Birds

A class of vertebrates that are homoiothermic. They have four limbs, wings formed from forelimbs, beaked jaws, feathers covering most of the body, and scales on legs and toes. Fertilization occurs internally with the female laying hard-shelled eggs.

Cell membrane

The partially permeable barrier that surrounds a cell.

Classification

The organization of organisms into groups based on their characteristics and structure, often reflecting evolutionary relationships.

Crustacea

A class of arthropods including crabs, lobsters, prawns, shrimps, water lice, and woodlice. They have compound eyes and two pairs of antennae.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like component of cells containing sub-cellular structures, dissolved nutrients, and salts.

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Dichotomous key

A tool using a series of choices (features) to identify an unknown organism.

Dicotyledons

Plants producing seeds with two cotyledons, resulting in two primary leaves.

DNA

A double-stranded polymer forming a double helix, carrying the genetic code.

DNA base sequence

The sequence of bases in DNA used for accurate classification; similar sequences indicate closer relationships between organisms.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts increasing the rate of reactions in living organisms.

Excretion

The process removing metabolic waste, toxic substances, and excess materials from the body.

Ferns

Vascular land plants reproducing via spores from numerous sporangia, lacking seeds or flowers, and having fleshy underground stems (rhizomes).

Fish

A class of poikilothermic vertebrates with a streamlined shape, fins for movement, overlapping scales, gills for breathing, and sexual reproduction, usually external fertilization.

Fungi

A biological kingdom of organisms made up of hyphae, reproducing asexually by producing spores.

Growth

A permanent increase in size.

Homoiothermic

Describing warm-blooded organisms with internally regulated body temperatures.

Insects

A diverse class of arthropods with segmented bodies, three pairs of jointed legs, antennae, compound eyes, and usually two pairs of wings.

Kingdom

The largest group of organisms; five kingdoms: Animal, Plant, Fungus, Prokaryote, and Protoctist.

Mammals

Homoiothermic vertebrates characterized by hair or fur, mammary glands, and live young production.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions inside an organism.

Monocotyledons

Plants producing seeds with one cotyledon, resulting in one primary leaf.

Movement

A change in position due to an organism's action.

Myriapods

A class of arthropods including millipedes and centipedes with segmented bodies, ten or more pairs of legs, antennae, and simple eyes.

Nutrition

The process by which living organisms take in materials necessary for growth, development, and energy.

Plant (kingdom)

A biological kingdom of multicellular organisms with a cellulose cell wall that can photosynthesize.

Poikilothermic

Describing cold-blooded organisms with body temperatures varying with the external environment.

Prokaryote

A biological kingdom of unicellular bacteria lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Protein

A large molecule synthesized from amino acids.

Protoctista

A biological kingdom of unicellular eukaryotes.

Reproduction

The production of more organisms of the same type.

Reptiles

A class of poikilothermic vertebrates with dry, scaly skin, four limbs, and internal fertilization.

Respiration

Chemical reactions inside cells releasing energy from nutrient breakdown used in metabolism.

Ribosomes

Sub-cellular structures site for protein synthesis.

Sensitivity

The ability to sense and respond to environmental changes.

Species

A group of similar organisms able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Vertebrates

Animals with a vertebral column including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Virus

A non-living microorganism consisting of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat.

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