| amino acid |
Unit molecule from which proteins and constructed by polymerisation. |
waikawa poroutini |
| ATP |
"adenosine triphosphate". A relatively stable, high energy molecule used to fuel chemical reactions within cells. |
pungao rupoi ngota |
| biochemistry |
The study of those molecules used and manufactured by living things |
matu omataora |
| carbohydrates |
Class of biochemical compounds which includes sugars, starch, chitin, and steroids. |
huinga whakatupu |
| cell |
Fundamental structural unit of all life. |
iho |
| cellulose |
Carbohydrate polymer of the simple sugar glucose. |
huka otaota |
| chlorophyll |
The green-colored pigment that absorbs light during photosynthesis, often found in plants, algae, and some bacteria. |
kano kariki |
| chromosome |
Linear piece of eukaryotic DNA, often bound by specialized proteins known as histones. |
puira |
| clone |
An identical copy of an organism. |
turua |
| control group |
Part of an experiment treated "normally". Used to compare experimental results. |
ropu whakahaere |
| direct observation |
An observation made on something you can see or measure "firsthand". |
ata mutukitaki |
| DNA |
"deoxyribonucleic acid". The nucleic acid which carries the genetic code of an organism. It is the primary component of chromosomes. |
Pu tau ira |
| embryo |
Once a zygote begins to undergo cellular divisions, it becomes an embryo. |
hua ira |
| eukaryote |
An organism whose cells have cytoskeletons for support and their DNA contained in a nucleus, separated from the other contents of the cell. |
anga puareare |
| experiment |
Used to test a hypothesis. |
whakamutau |
| experiment group |
"Guinea pigs". The real test group in an experiment. |
ropu whakamutau |
| fertilisation |
The process by which an egg is made capable of generating offspring. |
whakahaumako |
| germination |
The process by which a seedling emerges and develops from a seed, or by which a sporeling emerges and develops from a spore. |
whakato hua |
| glucose |
Simple sugar, and the primary product of photosynthesis. It is polymerized to make cellulose and chitin. |
huka taketake |
| hypothesis |
Untested idea, an educated guess. |
huatau |
| indirect observation |
Observation about something you can't see or measure "firsthand". You must observe how other things are affected. |
mutakitaki tawhiti |
| inference |
A conclusion or explanation based on observations made about something. |
whakapae |
| law |
Idea in science proven correct repeatedly without exception. |
ture |
| lipids |
A class of biochemical compounds which includes fats, oils, and waxes. |
huinha matu hinu |
| meiosis |
A two-stage type of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms. |
whuiti puira |
| nucleotide |
Unit from which nucleic acids are constructed by polymerization. |
waihanga karihi |
| observation |
Something noted in an experiment or noticed about the world around you. |
mutakitaki |
| photosynthesis |
Biochemical process in which light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll, and is used to fuel the building of sugar molecules. |
ahotakakame |
| polymer |
A large molecule constructed from many smaller identical units. These include proteins, nucleic acids, and starches. |
waerau |
| procedure |
Something done in an experiment. |
tikanga |
| prokaryotic |
Literally "before the nucleus", the term applies to all bacteria and archaea. |
huakita |
| protein |
Class of biochemical compounds constructed from amino acids. |
pumua |
| reproduction |
Class of biochemical compounds constructed from amino acids. |
onioni |
| RNA |
"ribonucleic acid". The nucleic acid which carries the DNA message into parts of the cell where it is interpreted and used. |
waikawa pu tau ira |
| science |
Search for the true nature of the world and how it works based on our observations of it. |
putaiao |
| scientific method |
Steps often used in solving problems in science. This can be helpful in solving any problem. |
ara putaiao |
| seed |
A structure produced by seed plants which encapsulates the embryo. |
kukano |
| starch |
A complex polymer of glucose, used by plants and green algae to store surplus sugar for later use. |
tuhi |
| sugar |
Any of several small carbohydrates, such as glucose, which are "sweet" to the taste. |
huka |
| theory |
Idea in science with at least some evidence or observations supporting it, useful in making predictions. |
whakaaro |
| zygote |
The product of gamete fusion. |
huanga |