Biology glossary

DNA

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a double helix-shaped molecule composed of nucleotides.Each nucleotide contains one nitrogenous base out of four types: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).These bases always pair (A wi…

Génétique

Allele

An allele is a different version of the same gene.Each individual has two alleles for a gene, one inherited from each parent, which can be identical or different.

Génétique

Antibiotic

An antibiotic is a substance used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria responsible for certain infections.

Microbiologie

Antibody

Antibodies are proteins produced by the body to recognize and neutralize microbes, such as bacteria or viruses.

Immunologie

Antigen

An antigen is a foreign substance, such as a part of a microbe, that the body recognizes and against which it produces antibodies.

Immunologie

RNA

RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a molecule present in all cells that plays an essential role in the transmission and use of genetic information.It is made from DNA and is notably used to produce the proteins necessary for the functioning of c…

Biologie moléculaire

Bacterium

A bacterium is a microorganism made up of a single cell without a nucleus, capable of living in many environments (air, water, soil, human body).It reproduces rapidly by division.Some bacteria are essential for life, while others are ca…

Microbiologie

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Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of all living organisms, including different species of animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the variety of natural environments where they live.It also includes genetic diversity within eac…

Écologie

Biotope

A biotope is a natural environment with precise physical and chemical characteristics (such as temperature, water, soil) that enable certain living beings to live there.

Écologie

Cell

A cell is the smallest living unit capable of autonomous function and constitutes the foundation of all living beings.It is bounded by a plasma membrane that protects the cell and controls exchanges with the outside.Inside, it contains …

Biologie cellulaire

Food chain

The food chain shows how energy and matter circulate in an ecosystem, moving from producers to consumers and then decomposers.Plants → Insects → Frog → Snake → OwlIn this chain:Plants are producers; they make their own food using sunlig…

Écologie

Chloroplast

The chloroplast is a membrane-bound organelle found in green plant cells. It contains chlorophyll, a pigment that captures sunlight and allows the transformation of light energy into chemical energy during photosynthesis.
Inside the c…

Biologie cellulaire

Chromosome

A chromosome is a thread-like, compact structure located in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.It is made up of DNA wrapped around proteins called histones.Each chromosome carries many genes, which contain the instructions necessary for th…

Génétique

Contraception

Contraception includes all methods and means used to prevent pregnancy.It works by preventing the meeting of the sperm and the egg (fertilization), blocking the release of the egg (ovulation), or preventing the implantation of the embry…

Reproduction humaine

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Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm is the gel-like substance, mainly composed of water, that fills the inside of the cell between the plasma membrane and the nucleus.It contains organelles, such as mitochondria or ribosomes, which perform various vital func…

Biologie cellulaire

Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a set formed by a natural environment, called biotope (with its physical characteristics such as soil, water, air), and by the community of living beings that inhabit it, called biocenosis.These living beings (plants, an…

Écologie

Enzyme

An enzyme is a protein that acts as a biological catalyst.It speeds up chemical reactions in cells by lowering the energy required for them to occur, without being changed or consumed during the reaction.

Biochimie

Fertilization

Fertilization is the fusion of two reproductive cells, called gametes, which allows the formation of a single new cell. This cell, called a zygote, contains the genetic material from both parents and marks the beginning of the developme…

Reproduction humaine

Gamete

A gamete is a specialized reproductive cell that contains half the usual number of chromosomes of an organism.In animals, there are two types of gametes: the sperm (male gamete) and the ovum (female gamete).During fertilization, two gam…

Reproduction humaine

Gene

A gene is a segment of DNA that contains the information needed to make a protein or control a specific function within an organism.Genes determine hereditary characteristics, such as eye color or height.Each individual has two versions…

Génétique

Hormone

A hormone is a molecule produced by a gland or an organ in the body, released into the blood, and acts as a chemical messenger.It transmits information to other parts of the body to regulate important functions such as growth, reproduct…

Système endocrinien

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Meiosis

Meiosis is a special cell division that produces reproductive cells called gametes (sperm and eggs). It occurs in two successive stages resulting in four daughter cells, each containing half the number of chromosomes of the original cel…

Génétique

Plasma membrane

The plasma membrane is a thin layer that surrounds the cell and separates it from its environment.It controls the exchange of substances such as water, nutrients, and wastes between the inside of the cell and the outside, allowing the c…

Biologie cellulaire

Mitochondrion

The mitochondrion is an organelle found in most eukaryotic cells. It is surrounded by two membranes: a smooth outer membrane and an inner membrane folded into cristae, which increase its surface area.The mitochondrion is the main site o…

Biologie cellulaire

Mitosis

Mitosis is a cell division process that allows a diploid mother cell (2n), meaning it contains two copies of each chromosome, to divide into two identical daughter cells, which are also diploid (2n). Each daughter cell has the same numb…

Biologie cellulaire

Neuron

A neuron is a specialized cell of the nervous system responsible for the rapid transmission of information in the form of electrical and chemical signals.It consists of several parts: the cell body containing the nucleus, dendrites that…

Système nerveux

Nucleus

The nucleus is a structure present in eukaryotic cells that contains genetic material in the form of DNA.It is surrounded by a membrane called the nuclear envelope, which protects the DNA and controls exchanges between the nucleus and t…

Biologie cellulaire

Osmosis

Osmosis is a phenomenon where water diffuses through a semi-permeable membrane, meaning a membrane that allows water to pass but blocks certain dissolved substances.Water moves from an area where its concentration is high (dilute soluti…

Transports membranaires

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Parasite

A parasite is an organism that lives at the expense of another living being, called the host, often causing it harm.The parasite uses the host's resources to feed, grow, or reproduce, which can weaken or make the host sick.

Microbiologie

Pathogen

A pathogen is a microorganism, such as a bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite, capable of infecting a living organism and causing disease.These pathogens enter the body, multiply, and can damage cells or disrupt the normal functioning …

Microbiologie

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a process carried out by plants, algae, and certain bacteria that converts the sun's light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process takes place in chloroplasts, using chlorophyll, a green pigment tha…

Métabolisme cellulaire

Puberty

Puberty is a transition phase between childhood and adulthood during which the body undergoes physical and hormonal changes that allow the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the capacity to reproduce.In girls, this incl…

Reproduction humaine

Synapse

The synapse is the contact area between two neurons, or between a neuron and another cell (such as a muscle cell).It is at this site that information is transmitted from one cell to another using chemical signals called neurotransmitter…

Système nerveux

Vaccine

A vaccine is a biological product that stimulates the immune system to recognize and combat a pathogenic microorganism (virus, bacterium) without causing the disease. It contains inactivated or attenuated infectious agents or specific p…

Immunologie

Virus

A virus is an extremely small acellular microorganism that cannot live or reproduce independently. It consists of a core of nucleic acid, either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid, and sometimes a lipid envelope.Th…

Microbiologie

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