Chapter 1-8 Lecture Notes: Biology Vocabulary Review

75 vocabulary flashcards covering oxidation-reduction, buffers and pH, body fluids, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, cell membranes, and basic cell transport.

Oxidation

Loss of electrons in a chemical reaction (mnemonic: oil rig).

Reduction

Gain of electrons in a chemical reaction.

Buffer

Substance that resists changes in pH by donating or accepting hydrogen ions.

pH

A measure of how acidic or basic a solution is; blood normally 7.35–7.45.

Carbon dioxide

Gas produced by metabolism; in blood, forms carbonic acid/bicarbonate buffering system.

Carbonic acid

Weak acid (H2CO3) formed from CO2 and water; part of the buffering system.

Bicarbonate

HCO3−; base that buffers blood, part of the carbonic acid–bicarbonate system.

Acidosis

Condition of excess acidity in the body fluids.

Alkalosis

Condition of excess alkalinity in the body fluids.

Extracellular fluid

Fluid outside cells (includes plasma and interstitial fluid).

Intracellular fluid

Fluid inside cells.

Interstitial fluid

Fluid in the tissue spaces outside cells.

Carbohydrate

Organic molecules with carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; quick energy source.

Monosaccharide

Building block of carbohydrates; simple sugars (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose).

Disaccharide

Two monosaccharides joined together (e.g., lactose, maltose, sucrose).

Polysaccharide

Many monosaccharides linked together (e.g., starch, glycogen, cellulose).

Glucose

A common monosaccharide; primary energy source for many cells.

Fructose

A monosaccharide found in fruit; structural isomer of glucose.

Galactose

Monosaccharide found in lactose; component of milk sugar.

Lactose intolerance

Inability to digest lactose due to lactase deficiency.

Lactose

Disaccharide of glucose and galactose found in milk.

Maltose

Disaccharide of two glucose units.

Starch

Plant storage polysaccharide composed of glucose.

Glycogen

Animal storage polysaccharide stored in liver and muscle.

Cellulose

Plant fiber; indigestible polysaccharide in plant cell walls.

Lipid

Hydrophobic biomolecule class including fats, oils, cholesterol, and phospholipids.

Fatty acid

Building block of lipids; hydrocarbon chain; saturated or unsaturated.

Saturated fat

Fatty acid with only single bonds; straight chain; maximizes hydrogen.

Unsaturated fat

Fatty acid with one or more double bonds; kinked chain.

Triglyceride

Glycerol backbone with three fatty acids; main energy storage lipid.

Glycerol backbone

Three-carbon alcohol that anchors three fatty acids in triglycerides.

Dehydration synthesis

Chemical reaction that joins molecules with removal of water.

Phospholipid

Lipid with glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate head; amphipathic; forms membranes.

Steroid

Lipid with four fused carbon rings; includes cholesterol and steroid hormones.

Cholesterol

Steroid lipid; essential membrane component and hormone precursor.

Prostaglandin

Lipid-derived signaling molecule involved in inflammation and other processes.

Prostaglandins

Group of lipid mediators involved in inflammation and other signaling.

Protein

Macromolecule built from amino acids; performs structure, enzymes, transport, antibodies, etc.

Amino acid

Building block of proteins; contains amino group, carboxyl group, and side chain.

Peptide bond

Bond linking amino acids; formed by dehydration synthesis.

Primary structure

Linear sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Secondary structure

Local folding patterns: alpha helix or beta sheet.

Tertiary structure

Three-dimensional folding of a protein; overall shape.

Quaternary structure

Complex of multiple polypeptide chains forming a functional protein.

Denaturation

Unfolding of a protein due to heat, pH change, or chemicals; loss of function.

Enzyme

Protein catalyst that lowers activation energy and speeds up reactions.

Substrate

Molecule that binds to an enzyme at the active site.

Active site

Region of an enzyme where substrate binds.

Nucleic acid

DNA or RNA; carries genetic information or directs protein synthesis.

Nucleotide

Monomer of nucleic acids; sugar, phosphate, and base.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; stores genetic information; usually double-stranded.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; single-stranded; roles in protein synthesis and regulation.

Adenine

Purine base; pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA.

Thymine

Pyrimidine base in DNA; pairs with adenine.

Cytosine

Pyrimidine base; pairs with guanine.

Guanine

Purine base; pairs with cytosine.

Uracil

Pyrimidine base in RNA; pairs with adenine.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; main cellular energy currency.

ADP

Adenosine diphosphate; formed when ATP loses a phosphate group.

AMP

Adenosine monophosphate; single phosphate; can be converted to ATP/ADP.

Cyclic AMP

cAMP; cyclic nucleotide that acts as a second messenger in signaling.

Phospholipid bilayer

Double layer of phospholipids that forms the cell membrane.

Amphipathic

Molecule with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions.

Integral protein

Membrane protein that spans the phospholipid bilayer.

Channel protein

Integral protein forming a pore to allow specific solutes to pass.

Peripheral protein

Membrane-associated protein on the inner or outer surface; does not span the membrane.

Glycoprotein

Protein with carbohydrate chains; part of glycocalyx for cell recognition.

Glycocalyx

Carbohydrate-rich coating on the cell surface serving as self-marker.

Diffusion

Movement of solutes from high to low concentration; passive process.

Facilitated diffusion

Diffusion via membrane proteins (channels or carriers); still passive.

Osmosis

Diffusion of water across a membrane toward higher solute concentration.

Isotonic

Environment with equal solute concentration to the cell; no net water movement.

Hypertonic

Environment with higher solute concentration outside the cell; water leaves; cell shrinks.

Hypotonic

Environment with lower solute concentration outside the cell; water enters; cell swells.

Plasma

Liquid component of blood; extracellular; transports nutrients, cells, and hormones.