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Vocabulary Word
Definition
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Odyssey HIgH sCHOOL BIOLOgy VOCaBuLary
sporophyte
the diploid form of an organism with alternation of generations that begins 
with a zygote and produces a haploid spore
stimuli
something that excites an organism into changing to suit a new purpose
stolon
a horizontal branch from the base of plant that produces new plants from 
buds at its tips
stomach
a portion of the digestive system found between the esophagus and the 
small intestine that secretes digestive enzymes and acids to break down 
food into smaller, absorbable parts
stomata
a small opening in the bottom of a leaf that allows carbon dioxide and 
oxygen to diffuse into and out of the leaf
stroma
colorless protein matrix of the chloroplast that holds the grana
substitution
an event in which one thing is replaced with another
succession
the progressive development of a community from it’s initial stage until a 
climax community is established
surface protein
proteins found on the surface on the viral envelope
sweat gland
any of the glands in the skin that secrete perspiration
sweat glands
any of the glands in the skin that secrete perspiration
symbiosis
a close relationship between two unrelated organisms
symbiotic
a cooperative relationship between two unlike organisms
symmetry
balance or similarity in body structures of organisms
synapse
a gap between two neurons that a neurotransmitter crosses to carry a nerve 
impulse
T cells
lymphocytes that act to defend the body against disease by connecting 
foreign antigens to receptors on the surface of their cell
taproot
main root of a plant growing straight downward from the stem
taxonomy
a system of classifying organisms based on their structural, genetic, and 
evolutionary relationships
tears
drops of the clear salty saline solution secreted by the lacrimal glands
teeth
hard projections attached to the jaw that are used for tearing and chewing 
food
telophase
final phase of mitosis where the spindle disappears and the nuclear 
membrane reforms around each new set of chromosomes
temperature
a measurement of heat
tendons
a tough, fibrous band of connective tissue that connects a muscle to bone
tenet