Untitled Flashcards Set

Free energy

The energy available to do work in a system.

Exergonic

A process that releases free energy and is spontaneous.

Endergonic

A process that absorbs free energy and is non-spontaneous.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.

Anabolism

The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy.

Activation energy

The minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Active site

The region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

Substrate

The reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed.

Enzyme activity

The measure of the catalytic ability of an enzyme.

Competitive inhibitor

A substance that decreases enzyme activity by competing for the active site.

Allosteric inhibitor

A molecule that binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, causing a change in activity.

Interphase: S phase, G1 and G2 phases

The three phases of interphase: G1 (growth), S (DNA synthesis), G2 (preparation for mitosis).

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells.

Centrosome

An organelle that serves as the main microtubule organizing center during mitosis.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome where the two sister chromatids are joined.

Chromosome

A structure composed of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information.

Chromatid

One half of a duplicated chromosome, joined to the other half at the centromere.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis, when chromosomes become visible and the nuclear envelope begins to break down.

Spindle fiber

Structures that separate the chromosomes during anaphase.

Centriole

A cylindrical structure involved in cell division that helps organize the mitotic spindle.

Prometaphase

The stage of mitosis where the nuclear envelope is completely dissolved and spindle fibers attach to kinetochores.

Kinetochore

A protein structure on the chromosome where spindle fibers attach.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes align in the center of the cell.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite sides of the cell.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis, where nuclear envelopes reform around the separated chromosomes.

Cleavage furrow

The indentation that begins the process of cytokinesis in animal cells.

Adaptation

A physiological or morphological change that enhances an organism's ability to survive in its environment.

Acclimatization

The process by which an organism adjusts to changes in its environment to maintain performance levels.

Conformer

An organism that relies primarily on external environmental conditions to regulate its internal conditions.

Regulator

An organism that actively regulates its internal environment, maintaining homeostasis.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment in an organism.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels.

Glucagon

A hormone that raises blood glucose levels, produced by the pancreas.

Ectotherm

An organism that relies on external sources for body heat.

Endotherm

An organism that generates its own heat to maintain body temperature.

Convection

The transfer of heat by the movement of fluids.

Conduction

The transfer of heat through direct contact between materials.

Radiation

The transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves.

Evaporation

The process of turning from liquid into vapor, resulting in cooling.

Osmolarity

The measure of solute concentration in a solution.

Hypoosmotic

A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to another.

Hyperosmotic

A solution with a higher concentration of solutes compared to another.

Isosmotic

Solutions that have the same osmotic pressure.

Ammonia

A nitrogenous waste product that is highly toxic and needs to be diluted.

Urea

A less toxic nitrogenous waste product produced by the metabolism of proteins.

Uric acid

A nitrogenous waste that is less toxic and conserves water, excreted by insects and reptiles.

Hemolymph

The fluid that circulates in the bodies of arthropods and some mollusks.

Interstitial fluid

Fluid that fills the spaces between cells.

Erythrocyte

A red blood cell that carries oxygen.

Leukocyte

A white blood cell that is part of the immune system.

Vessel element

Specialized cell types in the xylem of flowering plants that conduct water.

Sieve tube element

A type of plant cell that allows for the transport of nutrients and sugars.

Companion cell

A type of plant cell associated with sieve tube elements, aiding in transport.

Plasmodesmata

Microscopic channels that facilitate cell-to-cell communication in plants.

Water potential

The potential energy of water in a system, influencing water movement.

Solute potential

The component of water potential that is due to the presence of solutes.

Pressure potential

The component of water potential that is due to the pressure of the water.

Cohesion

The attraction between molecules of the same substance.

Adhesion

The attraction between molecules of different substances.

Ligand

A molecule that binds specifically to a receptor.

Hormone

Chemical messengers that regulate various physiological processes in the body.

Paracrine

A type of signaling where cells communicate with nearby cells.

Endocrine

A type of signaling where hormones are released into the bloodstream to target distant cells.

Pheromone

Chemical signals released into the environment, affecting the behavior of other individuals.

Second messenger

Molecules that relay signals received at receptors on the cell surface.

Kinase

An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of phosphate groups from ATP to specific substrates.

Gene transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Cholecystokinin

A hormone that stimulates digestion and regulates bile release.

Secretin

A hormone that promotes the secretion of bicarbonate and digestive fluids.

Gastrin

A hormone that stimulates gastric acid secretion in the stomach.