Biology glossary

[Frozone]

Hello all,
My teacher has been making us make a glossary for each chapter for Biology, and i honestly do not see the point.
So my question is how important is a glossary in unit 3&4 Biology?

Thank You

[alondouek]

It definitely helps keep track of the multitude of definitions you come across throughout the course. It also helps avoid any confusion between similar terms that may have very different meanings and contexts (like homologous and homozygous).

When I did Biology, my teacher assigned us glossary work as weekly homework. Personally, I didn't technically do it as I had my own teacher-approved method of note-keeping. However, I definitely think that it's a good idea - it also gets you into the habit of using proper scientific language and biological terminology (this is very important in the exam).

[Snorlax]

Hello all,
My teacher has been making us make a glossary for each chapter for Biology, and i honestly do not see the point.
So my question is how important is a glossary in unit 3&4 Biology?

Thank You

I don't specifically have a glossary, but have well organised summary notes of each chapter 'completed'. This chapter summary includes a glossary of the more important terms..
At VCE level, I think it's a students decision whether or not they want to make one, and not be put up to it for 'homework'.
Initiative really...
I myself can't do anything without a clear summarised note of chapters for any subject...
With the exception of a subject I have a slim interest in.. *Cough*pyschology*cough*

[Yacoubb]

I think this subject does not require you to rote-learn definitions, but in a way, the more you practice a topic, the easier it is to memorise some of the more important definitions.

E.g. Homeostasis, Osmosis, Diffusion - mostly its because you have to include key points in your definitions. I always have the definition of the topic I'm studying as the first point of my notes.

E.g.
Enzymes are organic, biological catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy, and not being consumed/used up by the reactions they catalyse.

Homeostasis: the maintanance of a relatively stable internal environment within narrow range limits.

Osmosis - the passive, net movement of free water molecules across the semi-permeable plasma membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration along osmotic gradient.

Diffusion - the passive transport of substances across the semi-permeable plasma membrane from an area of high molecule concentration to an area of low molecule concentration.

^ Don't become too reliant on definitions; usually even if you're asked a definition, you can string together important parts to get the mark allocated. That of course, comes from having a solid understanding of the topics in Bio!

[Rachet123]

I think this subject does not require you to rote-learn definitions, but in a way, the more you practice a topic, the easier it is to memorise some of the more important definitions.

E.g. Homeostasis, Osmosis, Diffusion - mostly its because you have to include key points in your definitions. I always have the definition of the topic I'm studying as the first point of my notes.

E.g.
Enzymes are organic, biological catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy, and not being consumed/used up by the reactions they catalyse.

Homeostasis: the maintanance of a relatively stable internal environment within narrow range limits.

Osmosis - the passive, net movement of free water molecules across the semi-permeable plasma membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration along osmotic gradient.

Diffusion - the passive transport of substances across the semi-permeable plasma membrane from an area of high molecule concentration to an area of low molecule concentration.

^ Don't become too reliant on definitions; usually even if you're asked a definition, you can string together important parts to get the mark allocated. That of course, comes from having a solid understanding of the topics in Bio!

My version of the above definitions
Enzymes: Yacoubb has done a great job defining this
Homeostasis: Is the maintainance of a relatively stable internal environment, within narrow bandwidths, despite changes in the external environment(that last part is quite important).
Osmosis: The passive net movement of free water molecules across a semi permeable membrane(does not necessarily have to be a plasma membrane), from an area of low solute concentration(hypotonic) to an area of high solute concentration(hypertonic) inorder to reach an equalibrium.
Diffusion: the passive net movement of a substance from an are of high concentration to an area of low concentration(does not need to be across a membrane; could be within the cell it self e.g. Oxygen may diffuse throughout a cell) inorder to reach an equalibrium.
^tell me if I have missed anything 

I have to totally agree with Yacoubb, rote learning definitions of words will not necessarily help you get higher marks in exams or SACs, whilst it is imperative that you know what these words mean it is far more efficient to remember key concepts or key words behind each definition and be able to apply these words to questions that don't ask for them but require an understanding of them. Really in the real world they don't always ask you to define X and define Y, they ask you to explain and apply understandings of X and Y to various questions. Ultimately don't get carried away wasting time writing definition after definition, it is far more efficient to understand than to simply rote learn.

[psyxwar]

My version of the above definitions
Enzymes: Yacoubb has done a great job defining this
Homeostasis: Is the maintainance of a relatively stable internal environment, within narrow bandwidths, despite changes in the external environment(that last part is quite important).
Osmosis: The passive net movement of free water molecules across a semi permeable membrane(does not necessarily have to be a plasma membrane), from an area of low solute concentration(hypotonic) to an area of high solute concentration(hypertonic) inorder to reach an equalibrium.
Diffusion: the passive net movement of a substance from an are of high concentration to an area of low concentration(does not need to be across a membrane; could be within the cell it self e.g. Oxygen may diffuse throughout a cell) inorder to reach an equalibrium.
^tell me if I have missed anything 

I have to totally agree with Yacoubb, rote learning definitions of words will not necessarily help you get higher marks in exams or SACs, whilst it is imperative that you know what these words mean it is far more efficient to remember key concepts or key words behind each definition and be able to apply these words to questions that don't ask for them but require an understanding of them. Really in the real world they don't always ask you to define X and define Y, they ask you to explain and apply understandings of X and Y to various questions. Ultimately don't get carried away wasting time writing definition after definition, it is far more efficient to understand than to simply rote learn.

Homeostasis: the maintenance of a stable internal environment within narrow limits despite fluctuations in the external environment via negative feedback mechanisms

But yeah, if you understand the topic well enough you can just write up a definition pretty easily.

Edit in response to OP: definitely define words you don't understand, eg. "testa of a seed". I don't see much point of trying to define a concept without understanding it first though.

[katerina]

Usually important words are written in "bold" in the textbooks. Know the definitions to those.