Anatomy and Biology Foundations Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering scientific methodology, general chemistry, biomolecules, and cell structure based on lecture study notes.

Science

An approach to understand the natural world.

Inquiry

The search for information.

Qualitative Data

Descriptions or observations of information.

Quantitative Data

Numerical measurements.

Inductive Reasoning

The process of drawing conclusions through a logical process.

Deductive Reasoning

Formulating a specific prediction.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction.

Experiment

A scientific test carried out under controlled conditions.

Controlled Experiment

An experiment that compares an experimental group to a baseline control group.

Independent Variable

The factor manipulated by a scientist (the cause).

Dependent Variable

The effect or outcome of the manipulated factor.

Theory

A concept with a broader scope than a hypothesis that is supported by a large body of evidence.

Sensationalized Headlines

A scientific red flag involving an exaggerated title.

Misinterpreted Results

A scientific red flag where research results are interpreted incorrectly.

Correlation vs Causation Fallacy

A scientific red flag assuming that because two events happen together, one caused the other.

Small Sample Size

A scientific red flag where a smaller group yields less confidence than a larger sample.

No Control Group

A scientific red flag lacking a baseline to establish causality between independent and dependent variables.

Cherry Picking Data

A scientific red flag where an author only includes data that supports their conclusion.

Non-peer Reviewed

Research that was not evaluated by other experts prior to publication.

Atom

The unique building block for each element and smallest particle of an element, composed of protons and neutrons in the nucleus with electrons surrounding it.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an atom.

Mass Number

The total number of protons plus neutrons in an atom.

Element

A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Isotope

Structural variations of the same element where an atom gains or loses neutrons.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Compound

A molecule that contains $2$ or more different kinds of atoms bonded together.

Ion

An atom that has gained or lost electrons and become charged.

Covalent Bond

A strong chemical bond formed when atoms share electrons to stay together.

Ionic Bond

An intermediate-strength chemical bond where an atom gives electrons to another to create positive and negative ions that attract each other.

Polar Bond

A bond involving unequal sharing of electrons with an unbalanced charge.

Nonpolar Bond

A bond involving equal sharing of electrons with a balanced charge.

Polarity of Water

Property of water being a polar molecule because oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction between an electropositive hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.

Octet Rule

Principle stating that atoms bond to gain, lose, or share electrons so they have $8$ electrons in their outer shell.

Dehydration Reaction

A chemical reaction where two monomers bond together through the loss of a biomolecule or water.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that breaks bonds, serving as the reverse of dehydration.

Monosaccharides

Single sugar carbohydrates, including pentoses (ribose, deoxyribose) and hexoses (glucose).

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates consisting of $2$ sugars bonded together, such as sucrose, lactose, and maltose.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates composed of many sugars formed by dehydration synthesis, such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

Triglycerides

Lipids composed of $3$ fatty acids that function in energy storage, insulation, and protection; solid as fats and liquid as oils.

Phospholipids

Modified triglycerides containing a polar, hydrophilic head and nonpolar, hydrophobic tails.

Steroids

Lipids characterized by $4$ interlocking ring structures.

Amino Acid

The monomer unit of proteins.

Peptide Bond

The specific type of bond that connects amino acids together to form a protein.

Denaturation

Process where proteins unfold and lose their 3D shape and function, caused by a decrease in pH or increased temperature.

Enzyme

Proteins that act as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

Nucleotide

The monomer subunit of nucleic acids.

DNA

A double-helix molecule containing the genetic blueprint for protein synthesis, composed of bases A, G, C, and T.

RNA

A nucleic acid that carries out genetic instructions for protein synthesis, composed of bases A, G, C, and U.

Buffer

A substance or solution that resists changes in pH or stabilizes pH.

Plasma Membrane

The outer boundary of a eukaryotic cell that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Cytoplasm

The material between the plasma membrane and nucleus that contains the organelles inside the cell.

Nucleus

The control center of a eukaryotic cell that contains DNA and controls cell activity.

Ribosomes

Organelles responsible for making proteins.

Rough ER (RER)

Organelle responsible for processing proteins.

Smooth ER (SER)

Organelle responsible for synthesizing lipids.

Golgi Apparatus

Organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.

Lysosomes

Organelles that break down waste and damaged cells.

Mitochondria

Organelles that produce ATP for the cell.

Cytoskeleton

Cellular structure that provides shape, support, and movement.