Physics and Biology Fundamentals: Forces, Pressure, and Respiration

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering friction, drag, support forces, fluid pressure, and the basics of cellular respiration.

Friction

A recitative force that slows things down and tries to stop objects sliding past each other due to surfaces being rough and containing bumps and hollows.

Drag

A force that tries to slow things down as objects move through gas or liquid molecules; it increases with higher speed or surface area.

Streamlined

A design for objects, such as cars, where air passes smoothly around them to reduce the effects of air resistance as speed increases.

Normal force

A support force provided when the bonds between particles in a solid are compressed and push back against an applied force.

Liquid Pressure

The force in a liquid that depends on the weight of the water above pressing down; it increases the deeper you go.

Gas exchange

The process of breathing and the movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Respiration

The biological process where cells use oxygen to react with glucose to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Respiration equation

$$\text{glucose} + \text{oxygen} \rightarrow \text{energy} + CO_2 + H_2O$$