Glossary

Atoms - The smallest unit of matter - both living and non-living.

Cell - The smallest unit of life and the building block of all living organisms.

Cell Membrane - Separates the inner parts of the cell from the area outside of it.

Cell Wall - Outer part of the cell that provides a "wall" of protection for the cell.

Chlorophyll - A pigment or substance which gives color to plants.

Chloroplast - Part of a cell that contains that contains chlorophyll, and which provides color to plants.

Compound Microscope - A compound microscope, is a microscope that uses many lenses, as compared to a simple microscope which only uses one lens.

Cytoplasm - A jelly-like substance found in a cell that surrounds the nucleus and holds the organelles in place.

Difference - the quality that makes one person or thing unlike another.

Example: There is a difference between cats and dogs. They are NOT the same.

Digested - To convert (food) into simpler compounds that can be absorbed by the body.

DNA - Part of a cell that holds hereditary instructions such as eye color, weight, or height.

Endoplasmic Reticulum - The transportation network found in a cell that moves food and waste materials around and out of the cell.

Environment - the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded.

Existence - the state or fact of existing; being.

Example: All cells come from other cells that are already in existence or being

Golgi Body - Part of the cell that packages, stores, and transports waste products until the cell is ready to get rid of them.

Hereditary - Passing, or capable for passing naturally from parent to offspring through the genes.

Example: Blue eyes are hereditary in our family.

History - A record of past events and times, especially in relation to the human race.

Example: Do you know your family history?

Invention - A new and unique process, machine, or improvement that did not previously exist.

Example: The laptop computer is a relatively new invention, as it the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

Magnify - To increase the apparent size of something, as a lens on a microscope does.

Example: We were able to magnify the cell up to 10 times its actual size.

Microscope - An instrument having a magnifying lens or a combination of lenses for observing objects to small to be seen with the naked eye.

Mitochondrion - Considered the "powerhouse" of a cell, its function is to release energy in the cell when it needs it.

Molecules - The smallest physical unit of an element, consisting of 2 or more atoms.

Example: A water molecule is made up of one hydrogen atom, and one oxygen atom.

Non-Living - Anything that is not now, nor has ever been alive.

Example: Rocks are non-living matter, while plants are living matter.

Nucleus - Is the "brain" of the cell, that controls all the activity of the cell, as well as the DNA.

Organelles - Smaller units in a cell that carry out a particular function or role.

Example: The nucleus, mitochondrion, golgi body, etc, are all organelles - or parts of a cell.

Organisms - A living form of life, such as a plant, animal, or bacterium; a body made up of organs, organelles, or other parts that work together to carry on the various processes of life.

Organization - The act or process of organizing parts into an arranged whole.

Example: 

Organs - In the study of biology, "organs" relate to a group of tissues that form the structure of an organ, such as a heart or kidney.

Photosynthesis - The process by which a green plant turns water and carbon dioxide into food when the plant is exposed to light.

Powerhouse - someone or something that is full of a particular thing.

Example: He is a powerhouse of energy, means that he is full of energy.

Protection - to keep away from harm.

Example: The steel wall in the picture below keeps the water from flooding the land on the other side of the wall.

Semi-Permeable - Having pores or openings that allow liquids or gases to pass through.

Example: The cell membrane is semi-permeable because it allows certain materials into the cell that it needs, such as food, but keeps out other materials that are not needed for the cell to survive.

Separate - to sort, part, or divide.

Example: I can separate an egg yolk from its egg white.

Specialized - In relation to the field of biology, an organ serves a special function.

Example: The heart is an organ specialized to pump blood. It is the only specialized organ able to pump blood. No other organs in the body pump blood.

Systems - A combination of parts that form together to make a whole.

Example: The stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas are organs (or parts) that work together to digest our food and form the Digestive System.

Theory - A well researched explanation of some aspect of the natural world.

Example: Scientists have a theory that the beginning of the universe started with the "Big Bang."

Tissue - Tissues are made up of layers of cells. Tissues combine to form organs like the liver, lungs, or the colon.

Example: The skin overing our body is an organ that is made up of many layers of tissues, which are in turn made up of cells.

Transport - To move materials or goods from one place to another.

Example: In a cell, food and water are transported around and out of the cell through the Endoplasmic Reticulum, which acts like a railway or transport system.

Vacuole - This part of the cell looks like an empty sac, where water, food, and waste are stored until they can be used.

Waste Products  - Substances and materials that are left over from life's processes.

Example: Cells take in food and what is not used are waste products and are moved out of the cell.