Biology glossary

biomass consumed and assimilated from the previous trophic level after accounting for the energy lost due to incomplete ingestion of food, energy used for respiration, and energy lost as waste

when individuals tend to mate with those who are phenotypically similar to themselves

glial cell in the central nervous system that provide nutrients, extracellular buffering, and structural support for neurons; also makes up the blood-brain barrier

describes animals with no axis of symmetry in their body pattern

disease where there are no symptoms and the individual is unaware of being infected unless lab tests are performed

buildup of fatty plaques in the coronary arteries in the heart

smallest and most fundamental unit of matter

the smallest unit of matter that retains all of the chemical properties of an element

calculated mean of the mass number for an element’s isotopes

total number of protons in an atom

adenosine triphosphate, the cell’s energy currency

(also F1F0 ATP synthase) membrane-embedded protein complex that adds a phosphate to ADP with energy from protons diffusing through it

hormone produced by the heart to reduce blood volume, pressure, and Na+ concentration

one-way membranous flap of connective tissue between the atrium and the ventricle in the right side of the heart; also known as tricuspid valve

(plural: atria) chamber of the heart that receives blood from the veins and sends blood to the ventricles(plural: atria) chamber of the heart that receives blood from the veins and sends blood to the ventricles