MYP Biology Organisms Key Definitions

The fusion of male and female gametes to produce a zygote.

A sequence of organs arranged so that each step leads logically to the next.

The process where a seed absorbs water, breaks dormancy, and begins to grow.

When individuals from different species mate and produce offspring.

The sequence of developmental stages an organism passes through from birth to reproduction and eventually death.

Receptors that bend when sound vibrations move through the inner ear.

A hormone-controlled transformation in body form as an organism progresses through its life stages.

A chemoreceptor in the nose that detects airborne chemicals.

A structure made of two or more tissues working together to perform a specific function.

A group of organs that work together to carry out a major life process.

How the brain interprets sensory signals to create an experience.

Light-sensitive cells that convert light into electrical signals.

A specialized cell or structure that notices a change (stimulus) and sends a signal telling the body what to do next.

A way the body gathers information through receptors and sends it to the brain for interpretation.

Features found across all living organisms.

Receptors in the skin that detect physical changes like pressure, heat, and pain.

A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

Unspecialized cells that can divide and differentiate into many different specialized cell types.

The ability of an organ to hold its shape and continue functioning under stress.

A cluster of chemoreceptors that detect dissolved chemicals in food.

A group of similar, specialised cells working together to perform one function.

The specific arrangement of tissues inside an organ that enables it to function.

The process in which receptors turn a stimulus into an electrical or chemical signal the body can interpret.