Biol 1103 Quiz 2

Organization

The human body is composed of trillions of cells, separated into compartments by membranes, allowing complex biological functions and maintaining homeostasis.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions occurring within the body, crucial for sustaining life.

Anabolism

Biochemical processes that combine small molecules into larger, more complex molecules, such as proteins, requiring energy typically derived from ATP.

Catabolism

Breaking down larger molecules into smaller components, releasing energy utilized for biological processes.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy currency of the cell, storing and transporting chemical energy to power metabolic processes.

Exchange of Materials

Cells interact with the external environment by absorbing nutrients and expelling waste through diffusion and active transport.

Responsiveness

The ability of organisms to adapt to environmental changes or stimuli, crucial for survival and homeostasis.

Movement

All forms of motion within organisms, including bodily movements, organ activity, and cellular motility.

Development

The differentiation process where cells specialize to perform specific functions and develop complex tissue structures.

Growth

The increase in cell number, size, and accumulation of non-cellular material.

Reproduction

The formation of new organisms, essential for the continuation of species.

Chemical Level of organization

Comprises subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules, serving as building blocks for physiological functions.

Cellular Level of organization

Refers to cells, the fundamental functioning units of life.

Tissue Level of organization

Formed from groups of similar cells with a common function, classified into four basic types.

Organ Level of organization

Consists of distinct structures made up of various tissues working together.

Organ System Level of organization

Involves a group of organs that cooperate to carry out complex functions.

Organismal Level of organization

Represents the total living being characterized by coordinated interactions of all organ systems.

Plasma Membrane

A selective barrier that protects the cell and regulates the exchange of materials.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Involved in the synthesis of lipids, detoxification, and calcium storage.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Plays a role in protein synthesis and processing.

Ribosomes

Responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA.

Golgi Apparatus

Modifies, sorts, packages, and tags proteins and other molecules for transport.

Lysosomes

Membrane-bound organelles filled with enzymes, responsible for breaking down waste materials.

Mitochondria

Generate ATP through cellular respiration.

Vesicles

Small membrane-bound sacs that facilitate the transport of materials within cells.

Nuclear Envelope

A double membrane encasing the nucleus, regulating the passage of substances.

Chromosomes

Structures made of chromatin that contain genetic material.

Nucleolus

A dense region within the nucleus responsible for synthesizing ribosomal RNA.

Endomembrane System

A complex network of membranes coordinating protein and lipid processing and transport.

Cell Division

The process of producing new cells for growth, development, and tissue repair.

Cell Growth

Involves an increase in cell size and mass after division.

Cell Differentiation

The process where unspecialized stem cells become specialized to perform unique functions.

Stem Cells

Cells that can divide indefinitely and differentiate into various cell types.

Osmosis

The passive diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane.

Isotonic Solution

A solution with the same solute concentration as the cell's cytoplasm.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher solute concentration than the cell’s cytoplasm.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower solute concentration than the cell’s cytoplasm.

Carrier-Mediated Facilitated Diffusion

Involves transport proteins binding to target molecules, allowing their movement across the membrane without using ATP.

Channel-Mediated Facilitated Diffusion

Involves membrane channels that permit the passage of specific ions or small molecules.

Active Transport

An energy-dependent process that moves substances against their concentration gradient.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

Extrudes 3 Na+ ions from the cell and imports 2 K+ ions.

Secondary Active Transport

Involves coupling the transport of one substance down its gradient with another substance against its gradient.

Endocytosis

The process where substances are engulfed by the cell membrane to form vesicles.

Exocytosis

The process where cells export materials via vesicles.

Cell Differentiation vs Cell Specialization

Cell Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells develop into specialized cells, while Cell Specialization refers to the functional specialization occurring in these differentiated cells.

Diffusion

The process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.