Growth, Development and Reproduction of Organisms - Middle School

If learning biology is in your DNA, you'll want to review these words related to the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms. This list covers genes and cell division, life cycles of organisms, and developmental stages of different species. Practice this list and watch your fledgling vocabulary grow!
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. adult
    any mature animal
  2. asexual reproduction
    reproduction without the fusion of gametes
  3. behavior
    the aggregate of the responses made by an organism
  4. breeding
    the production of animals or plants by inbreeding or hybridization
  5. cell division
    the process in reproduction and growth by which a cell divides to form daughter cells
  6. cellular respiration
    the metabolic processes whereby certain organisms obtain energy from organic molecules; processes that take place in the cells and tissues during which energy is released and carbon dioxide is produced and absorbed by the blood to be transported to the lungs
  7. cloning
    a general term for the research activity that creates a copy of some biological entity (a gene or organism or cell)
  8. dependent
    relying on or requiring a person or thing for support
  9. development
    the process of an individual organism growing organically
  10. DNA
    material that carries genetic information in a cell
  11. egg
    animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
  12. embryo
    an animal organism in the early stages of growth
  13. fertilization
    creation by the physical union of male and female gametes
  14. fledgling
    young bird that has just become capable of flying
  15. flower
    reproductive organ of plants especially if showy or colorful
  16. gene
    part of DNA controlling physical characteristics and growth
  17. genetic
    relating to the study of heredity and variation in organisms
  18. genetic engineering
    the science of changing the DNA of organisms
  19. germination
    the process whereby seeds or spores sprout and begin to grow
  20. growth
    changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
  21. hybridization
    (genetics) the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids
  22. independent
    free from external control and constraint
  23. larva
    immature form of an animal between the egg and adult stages
  24. life cycle
    a series of stages through which an organism passes
  25. metabolism
    the marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult
  26. metamorphosis
    the marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult
  27. mutation
    any event that changes genetic structure
  28. nestling
    a young bird not yet fledged
  29. nymph
    a larva of an insect with incomplete metamorphosis
  30. offspring
    any immature animal
  31. organism
    a living thing that can act or function independently
  32. photosynthesis
    formation of compounds in plants aided by radiant energy
  33. pollen
    fine spores produced by flowers to fertilize other flowers
  34. pollination
    transfer of the fine spores that contain male gametes
  35. pupa
    an insect in an intermediate, inactive stage of development
  36. reproduction
    the process of generating offspring
  37. seed
    small, hard part of a plant from which a new plant can grow
  38. seedling
    young plant or tree grown from a seed
  39. sexual reproduction
    reproduction involving the union or fusion of a male and a female gamete
  40. shoot
    a new branch
  41. specialization
    the structural adaptation of some body part for a function
  42. species
    taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
  43. stem cell
    an undifferentiated cell whose daughter cells may differentiate into other cell types (such as blood cells)
  44. survival
    the state of remaining alive
Created on Fri Jan 27 20:46:37 EST 2017 (updated Thu Apr 06 09:56:46 EDT 2017)

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