Biology Word Search

ALGAE – Simple aquatic organisms that perform photosynthesis, ranging from microscopic single cells to large seaweeds. They produce oxygen and form the base of many aquatic food chains.

AMOEBA – A single-celled organism that moves and feeds by extending finger-like projections called pseudopodia. It lacks a fixed shape and lives in water or soil environments.

ANTIBODY – A protective protein produced by the immune system that identifies and neutralizes foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. Each antibody targets a specific antigen with remarkable precision.

BACTERIA – Microscopic single-celled organisms lacking a nucleus. They exist everywhere on Earth, performing essential roles in decomposition, digestion, and nutrient cycling. Some cause diseases while others are beneficial.

BIOME – A large geographical area characterized by specific climate conditions, plants, and animals. Examples include deserts, rainforests, tundra, and grasslands, each with distinct ecosystems and biodiversity patterns.

CELL – The smallest unit of life, containing genetic material and machinery for growth and reproduction. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells with specialized functions.

CELL WALL – A rigid protective layer surrounding plant, fungal, and bacterial cells, located outside the cell membrane. It provides structural support, maintains shape, and prevents excessive water uptake.

CYTOPLASM – The gel-like substance filling the cell between the membrane and nucleus. It contains organelles, nutrients, and enzymes where many metabolic reactions occur to sustain cellular life.

DNA – Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule carrying genetic instructions for development, functioning, and reproduction. Its double helix structure stores information in sequences of four chemical bases: adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine.

ECOLOGY – The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment. It examines relationships among living things and how ecosystems function, including energy flow and nutrient cycling patterns.

ENZYME – A biological catalyst protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed. Each enzyme has a specific shape that binds to particular molecules called substrates.

EVOLUTION – The gradual process by which species change over generations through natural selection and genetic variation. Organisms better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully than others.

FOSSIL – Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms found in sedimentary rock. Fossils provide evidence of past life forms and help scientists understand evolutionary history and Earth’s biological changes.

FUNGI – A kingdom of organisms including mushrooms, molds, and yeasts. They decompose organic matter, form symbiotic relationships with plants, and reproduce through spores rather than seeds or eggs.

GENE – A segment of DNA that contains instructions for making a specific protein or performing a particular function. Genes are inherited from parents and determine an organism’s traits and characteristics.

GENETICS – The branch of biology studying heredity and variation in living organisms. It examines how traits are passed from parents to offspring through genes and how DNA controls characteristics.

HABITAT – The natural environment where an organism lives, providing food, water, shelter, and space. Different species require specific habitat conditions including temperature, moisture, and available resources to survive.

MEMBRANE – A thin selective barrier surrounding cells and
organelles, controlling the passage of substances in and out. It consists of a lipid bilayer embedded with proteins for transport and communication.

MITOSIS – The process by which a cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells with the same genetic material. It involves chromosome replication and separation, enabling growth and tissue repair.

NUCLEUS – The control center of eukaryotic cells, containing chromosomes with DNA. It regulates gene expression and coordinates cellular activities including growth, metabolism, protein synthesis, and cell division through reproduction.

ORGAN – A collection of different tissues working together to perform specific functions within an organism. Examples include the heart, lungs, brain, and stomach, each with specialized roles in survival.

OSMOSIS – The movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane from areas of higher water concentration to lower concentration. This passive transport process is crucial for maintaining cellular water balance.

PROTEIN – Large complex molecules made of amino acids that perform most cellular functions. They act as enzymes, antibodies, structural components, and messengers, essential for body structure, function, and regulation.

TISSUE – A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function in multicellular organisms. Four main types exist in animals: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.