Untitled Flashcards Set

life sci

Organic Compounds

Chemical compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars that are the building blocks of carbohydrates.

Polysaccharides

Large carbohydrate molecules that include starch and cellulose.

Lipids

Organic compounds that store energy and form cell structures; some contain phosphorus.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids primarily derived from plants and liquid at room temperature.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids primarily found in animals, solid at room temperature.

Proteins

Large molecules made of amino acids that are vital for cell structure and function.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that regulate chemical reactions in cells.

Active Sites

Regions on enzymes that bind to substrates, facilitating chemical reactions.

Denaturation

The process in which proteins lose their structure due to high temperature or pH changes.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules made of nucleotides that control cell structure and function.

RNA

Ribonucleic Acid, involved in protein synthesis and gene expression.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid, the molecule that carries genetic information.

Vitamins

Organic compounds required by the body for metabolic processes.

Water

An inorganic compound essential for life and metabolic processes.

Minerals

Inorganic substances needed for various biochemical functions.

Macro-elements

Elements required by organisms in large quantities.

Micro-elements

Elements needed in trace amounts for various biological processes.

Calcium

A mineral important for bone and teeth health.

Iron

A mineral vital for oxygen transport in the body.

Fertilizers

Substances used to nourish plants with essential nutrients.

Eutrophication

Excessive nutrient build-up in water bodies, leading to algal blooms.

Cell Theory

The principle that all living things are made of cells and cells come from pre-existing cells.

Total Magnification

Calculated by multiplying eyepiece power by objective lens power.

Cell Membrane

The boundary of the cell that controls substance entry and exit.

Cytoplasm

The fluid inside a cell that contains organelles and dissolved substances.

Mitochondria

Organelles where cellular respiration occurs, producing energy.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

An organelle that manufactures, stores, and transports proteins and lipids.

Ribosomes

Cell structures that synthesize proteins.

Golgi Bodies

Organelles that modify and package proteins for secretion.

Lysosomes

Organelles that contain enzymes for breaking down waste materials.

Vacuoles

Storage organelles found in plant and animal cells.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer in plant cells that provides support and protection.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Active Transport

The movement of substances against their concentration gradient, using energy.

Mitosis

The process of cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells.

Interphase

The phase in the cell cycle where the cell grows and DNA replicates.

Chromatin

The relaxed form of DNA in the nucleus during interphase.

Chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome formed prior to cell division.

Prophase

The first phase of mitosis where chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down.

Metaphase

The second phase of mitosis where chromosomes align at the cell equator.

Anaphase

The third phase of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles.

Telophase

The final phase of mitosis where chromosomes de-condense and nuclear envelopes reform.

Cytokinesis

The process that divides the cytoplasm of a parental cell into two daughter cells.

Cancer

Abnormal cell division that can lead to tumor formation and other diseases.

Cancer Treatment

Methods to control or eliminate cancerous cells, including surgery and chemotherapy.

Tissues

Groups of specialized cells that perform a specific function.

Epidermis

The outer protective layer of a plant.

Guard Cells

Specialized cells that control gas exchange in leaves.

Parenchyma Tissue

Unspecialized plant tissue involved in storage and support.

Chlorenchyma

A type of parenchyma containing chloroplasts for photosynthesis.

Collenchyma Tissues

Plant tissues with thickened cell walls that provide support.

Sclerenchyma Tissues

Supportive plant tissues with thick walls made of lignin.

Xylem

Plant tissue that transports water and minerals from roots to leaves.

Phloem

Plant tissue that transports food from leaves to other parts of the plant.

Meristematic Tissue

Plant tissue responsible for growth through cell division.

Plant Growth

The increase in size and mass of plant cells and tissues.

Cell Discovery

The identification and study of cells in living organisms.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

The scientist who first observed living cells through a microscope.

Robert Hooke

The scientist who discovered cells by examining cork under a microscope.

Schleiden and Schwann

Scientists who formulated the cell theory.

Cell Specialization

The process where cells develop specific functions.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in living organisms.

Biochemical Reactions

Chemical processes that occur within living organisms.

Energy Storage

The process of saving energy for later use, primarily by lipids and carbohydrates.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy.

Chemical Catalysts

Substances that increase the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed.

Metabolic Processes

Biochemical processes that occur within cells, sustaining life.

Cell Communication

The process through which cells interact and transmit information.

Cell Growth

The enlargement of cells as they accumulate nutrients and energy.

Substrate Specificity

The ability of an enzyme to selectively catalyze a specific substrate.

Cellular Transport

The movement of substances into and out of a cell.

Signal Transduction

The process by which an external signal is converted into a cellular response.

Respiratory Enzymes

Enzymes involved in the metabolic pathways of respiration.

Plant Hormones

Chemical signals that regulate growth and development in plants.

Cell Signaling Pathways

Series of molecular events initiated by a signal leading to a cellular response.