plant vocab

Question 1

Protist

Answer 1

A protist is any eukaryotic organism that is not an animal, plant or fungus. The protists do not form a natural group, or clade, but are often grouped together for convenience, like algae or invertebrates.

Question 2

Heterotroph

Answer 2

A heterotroph is an organism that ingests or absorbs organic carbon in order to be able to produce energy and synthesize compounds to maintain its life.

Question 3

Eukaryote

Answer 3

A eukaryote is any organism whose cells have a cell nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes. Eukaryotes belong to the domain Eukaryota or Eukarya, and can be unicellular or multicellular organisms.

Question 4

Decomposer

Answer 4

Decomposers are organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms, and in doing so, they carry out the natural process of decomposition.

Question 5

Parasite

Answer 5

an organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host’s expense.

Question 6

Host

Answer 6

a person who receives or entertains other people as guests.

Question 7

Fungi

Answer 7

A fungus is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms.

Question 8

Spore

Answer 8

a minute, typically one-celled, reproductive unit capable of giving rise to a new individual without sexual fusion, characteristic of lower plants, fungi, and protozoans.

Question 9

Lichen

Answer 9

A lichen is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi in a symbiotic relationship. The combined lichen has properties different from those of its component organisms.

Question 10

Nonvascular plant

Answer 10

Non-vascular plants are plants without a vascular system consisting of xylem and phloem. Although non-vascular plants lack these particular tissues, many possess simpler tissues that are specialized for internal transport of water.

Question 11

Vascular plant

Answer 11

a plant that is characterized by the presence of conducting tissue.

Question 12

Gymnosperm

Answer 12

The gymnosperms are a group of seed-producing plants that includes conifers, cycads, Ginkgo, and gnetophytes. The term “gymnosperm” comes from the Greek composite word γυμνόσπερμος, meaning “naked seeds”.

Question 13

Angiosperm

Answer 13

a plant that has flowers and produces seeds enclosed within a carpel. The angiosperms are a large group and include herbaceous plants, shrubs, grasses, and most trees.

Question 14

Photosynthesis

Answer 14

Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy that can later be released to fuel the organisms’ activities.

Question 15

Cellular respiration

Answer 15

Cellular respiration is a set of metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products.

Question 16

Transpiration

Answer 16

Transpiration is the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, such as leaves, stems and flowers.

Question 17

Tropism

Answer 17

the turning of all or part of an organism in a particular direction in response to an external stimulus.

Question 18

Gravitropism

Answer 18

Gravitropism (also known as geotropism) is a turning or growth movement by a plant or fungus in response to gravity. It is a general feature of all higher and many lower plants as well as other organisms.

Question 19

Phototropism

Answer 19

the orientation of a plant or other organism in response to light, either toward the source of light ( positive phototropism ) or away from it ( negative phototropism ).

Question 20

Asexual Reproduction

Answer 20

Asexual reproduction is a type of reproduction by which offspring arise from a single organism, and inherit the genes of that parent only; it does not involve the fusion of gametes, and almost never changes the number of chromosomes.

Question 21

Toxoplasmosis

Answer 21

a disease caused by toxoplasmas, transmitted chiefly through undercooked meat, or in soil or cat feces. Symptoms generally pass unremarked in adults, but infection can be dangerous to unborn children.

Question 22

Malaria

Answer 22

an intermittent and remittent fever caused by a protozoan parasite that invades the red blood cells. The parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes in many tropical and subtropical regions.

Question 23

Giardia

Answer 23

Giardia infection is an intestinal infection marked by abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea and bouts of watery diarrhea. Giardia infection is caused by a microscopic parasite that is found worldwide, especially in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe water.