Biology vocabulary crossword vocabulary pack

Teacher key

1. MITOSIS · 7 letters · noun · intermediate
   Body-cell division that produces matching nuclei

   Hint: This process supports growth and tissue repair.
   Why it fits: MITOSIS fits because ordinary body cells use this process to make cells with the same chromosome set.

2. MEIOSIS · 7 letters · noun · advanced
   Cell division that halves chromosome number for gametes

   Hint: It helps offspring differ from their parents.
   Why it fits: MEIOSIS is correct because sperm and egg cells form through divisions that reduce and shuffle chromosomes.

3. CHROMOSOME · 10 letters · noun · intermediate
   Threadlike DNA package in a cell nucleus

   Hint: Humans usually have 46 of these in body cells.
   Why it fits: CHROMOSOME fits because it is the organized structure that carries hereditary information inside many cells.

4. GENE · 4 letters · noun · introductory
   DNA segment linked to a trait

   Hint: A short hereditary unit can influence a characteristic.
   Why it fits: GENE is correct because traits are influenced by DNA segments passed from parents to offspring.

5. ALLELE · 6 letters · noun · intermediate
   Version of a hereditary DNA unit

   Hint: For a blood type trait, A and O are examples.
   Why it fits: ALLELE fits because organisms can carry different versions of a gene that affect how a trait appears.

6. GENOTYPE · 8 letters · noun · intermediate
   An organism's allele combination

   Hint: Letters like Bb can represent it in a Punnett square.
   Why it fits: GENOTYPE is correct because it names the genetic makeup represented by allele symbols, not the visible trait itself.

7. PHENOTYPE · 9 letters · noun · intermediate
   Observable expression of a trait

   Hint: Flower color or pea shape can be this visible result.
   Why it fits: PHENOTYPE fits because it names the visible or measurable form of a trait, such as height or color.

8. RIBOSOME · 8 letters · noun · intermediate
   Cell structure where proteins are assembled

   Hint: It reads RNA instructions during translation.
   Why it fits: RIBOSOME is correct because this cellular machine translates RNA messages into chains of amino acids.

9. CHLOROPLAST · 11 letters · noun · intermediate
   Plant organelle that captures light to make sugar

   Hint: It contains green pigment and is common in leaf cells.
   Why it fits: CHLOROPLAST fits because this organelle houses the reactions that convert light energy into chemical energy.

10. MITOCHONDRION · 13 letters · noun · advanced
    Organelle where much cellular ATP is produced

    Hint: It is often nicknamed the cell's power site.
    Why it fits: MITOCHONDRION is correct because many eukaryotic cells rely on this organelle for large amounts of usable energy.

11. NUCLEUS · 7 letters · noun · introductory
    Membrane-bound cell compartment holding DNA

    Hint: In many diagrams, it is drawn as the large central cell part.
    Why it fits: NUCLEUS fits because it houses chromosomes and helps regulate cell activities through genetic instructions.

12. DIFFUSION · 9 letters · noun · intermediate
    Movement from higher concentration to lower concentration

    Hint: A drop of dye spreading through water shows the idea.
    Why it fits: DIFFUSION is correct because particles tend to spread out until their concentration becomes more even.

13. TRANSPORT · 9 letters · noun · introductory
    Movement of materials across a cell membrane

    Hint: It may require energy when particles move against a gradient.
    Why it fits: TRANSPORT fits because cells use passive and energy-requiring mechanisms to move substances where they are needed.

14. ENZYME · 6 letters · noun · intermediate
    Biological molecule that speeds a reaction

    Hint: It lowers activation energy and is not used up.
    Why it fits: ENZYME is correct because cells rely on these catalysts to make many reactions occur fast enough for life.

15. PROTEIN · 7 letters · noun · introductory
    Macromolecule made from amino acids

    Hint: Enzymes and many cell structures are built from this material.
    Why it fits: PROTEIN fits because chains of amino acids form molecules that support structure, signaling, transport, and catalysis.

16. LIPID · 5 letters · noun · introductory
    Fat-like biomolecule that does not mix well with water

    Hint: Cell membranes contain a double layer of this molecule type.
    Why it fits: LIPID is correct because these molecules store energy, form membranes, and resist mixing with water.

17. CARBOHYDRATE · 12 letters · noun · intermediate
    Biomolecule group that includes sugars and starches

    Hint: Cells often use this molecule type for quick energy or structure.
    Why it fits: CARBOHYDRATE fits because glucose, starch, and cellulose all belong to this energy and structure-related molecule group.

18. RESPIRATION · 11 letters · noun · intermediate
    Cell process that releases energy from food molecules

    Hint: Its aerobic form uses oxygen and produces ATP.
    Why it fits: RESPIRATION is correct because cells convert chemical energy in molecules such as glucose into ATP through this process.

19. FERMENTATION · 12 letters · noun · intermediate
    Energy process cells can use without oxygen

    Hint: Yeast use it when making bread rise.
    Why it fits: FERMENTATION fits because it regenerates molecules needed for glycolysis when oxygen is unavailable.

20. ADAPTATION · 10 letters · noun · introductory
    Inherited trait that helps survival or reproduction

    Hint: Thick fur in a cold habitat can be one example.
    Why it fits: ADAPTATION is correct because natural selection can favor traits that help organisms succeed in particular conditions.

Accept a different answer only when it matches the clue, length, grammar, and any supplied crossings. Use the reviewed answer when teaching the intended vocabulary target.