Bio test vocab

Active transport

the process of moving molecules across a cellular membrane through the use of cellular energy.

ATP

is an organic compound that provides energy to drive many processes in living cells

Concentration gradient

occurs when the concentration of particles is higher in one area than another

Diffusion

the net movement of anything generally from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.

Endocytosis

is the process by which cells take in substances from outside of the cell by engulfing them in a vesicle

Equilibrium

The condition in which all acting influences are balanced or canceled by equal opposing forces, resulting in a stable system

Exocytosis

a process by which the contents of a cell vacuole are released to the exterior through fusion of the vacuole membrane with the cell membrane

Facilitated Diffusion

is the process of spontaneous passive transport of molecules or ions across a biological membrane via specific transmembrane integral proteins

Flaccid

a plant cell in an isotonic solution such that the plasma membrane is not pressed tightly against the cell wall

Homeostasis

state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems

Hydrophillic

water loving

Hydrophobic

water fearing

Hypertonic

indicates the cells concentration of solute is higher outside the cell

Hypotonic

indicates a higher concentration of solute inside the cell

Isotonic

indicates that the concentration is the same on both sides

Ligand

a molecule that binds to another molecule called a receptor to send signals within or between cells

Osmosis

the net movement of water across a semipermeable membrane

Lysed

the breaking down of the membrane of a cell, often by viral, enzymic, or osmotic mechanisms that compromise its integrity

Passive Transport

a type of membrane transport that does not require energy to move substances across cell membranes

Phagocytosis

the process by which a cell uses its plasma membrane to engulf a large particle

Pinocytosis

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the engulfment of liquid into a cell by the budding of small vesicles from the cell membrane.

Plasmolyzed

the process in which cells lose water in a hypertonic solution

Receptor-mediated Endocytosis

where the receptors in a receptor-coated pit interact with a specific protein, initiating formation of a vesicle

Sodium-potassium Pump

an enzyme found in the membrane of all animal cells. It performs several functions in cell physiology

Solute

the minor component in a solution, dissolved in the solvent.

Solution

a special type of homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances

Selectively permeable

a membrane that allows only some substances and molecules to pass into or leave the cell

Solvent

a substance that dissolves a solute

Tonicity

a measure of the effective osmotic pressure gradient; the water potential of two solutions separated by a partially-permeable cell membrane

Transport Protein

proteins that transport substances across biological membranes

Turgid

cells or tissues that are swollen from water uptake