Biology glossary

Adult stem cells

Stem cells that are found in adults that can differentiate and form a limited number of cells (eg bone marrow stem cells can become different blood cells.)

Cell cycle

The three-stage process of cell division in a body cell that involves mitosis and results in the formation of two genetically identical diploid daughter cells.

Cloning

The production of identical offspring by asexual reproduction

Differentiate

The process where cells become specialised for a specific function

Embryonic stem cells

Stem cells from an early embryo that can differentiate to form the specialised cells of the body

Mitosis

Part of the cell cycle where one set of new chromosomes is pulled to each end of the cell forming two identical nuclei during cell division

Stem cells

Undifferentiated cells with the potential to form a wide variety of different cell types

Therapeutic cloning

A process where an embryo is produced that is genetically identical to the patient so the cells can then be used in medicine treatments.

Zygote

The single new cell formed by the fusion of gamates in sexual reproduction

Active site

The site on an enzyme where the substrates (reactants) bind

Amino acids

Molecules made up of carbon hydrogen oxygen and nitrogen that are the building blocks of proteins

Amylase

Enzyme that speeds up the digestion of starch into sugars

Bile

Neutralises stomach acid to give a higher pH for the enzymes from the pancreas and small intestine to work well it's also emulsifies lipids. it is not an enzyme

Carbohydrases

Enzymes that speed up the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars

Carbohydrates

Molecules that contain only carbon hydrogen and oxygen. They provide the energy for the metabolism and are found in foods such as rice potatoes and bread

Catalyst

A substance that speeds up the rate of another reaction but it's not used up or changed itself

Denatured

The breakdown of molecular structure of a protein so it loses it specific 3D shape this means the substrate can no longer fit into the act of sights so the enzyme no longer functions

Differentiate

The process where cells become specialized for a particular function

Digestive system

Organ system where food is digested and absorbed

Enzymes

Biological catalysts, usually proteins

Fatty acids

Part of the structure of a lipid molecule

Glycerol

Part of the structure of a lipid molecule

Lipase

Enzymes that catalase the breakdown of lipids into fatty acids and glycerol

Lipids

Includes facts and oils and are found in food such as butter olive oil and crisps. They are made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

Metabolism

The sum of all the reactions taking place in a cell or the body of an organism

Organ

An aggregation (collection) of different tissues working together to carry out specific functions

Organ systems

A group of organs that work together to carry out specific functions and form organisms

Proteases

Enzymes speed up the breakdown of proteins into amino acids

Proteins

Molecules that contain carbon hydrogen oxygen and nitrogen and I made of long chains of amino acids. They are used for building the cells and tissues of the body and to form enzymes

Simple sugars

Small carbohydrate units, for example glucose

Tissue

A group of specialized cells for the similar structure and function

Active transport

The movement of substances from a low concentration to a high concentration (up the concentration gradient) requiring energy from respiration and transport proteins

Algae

Simple aquatic organisms (protista) That make their own food by photosynthesis

Alveoli

Tiny air sacks in the lungs

That increase surface area for gaseous exchange

Bacteria

Single celled prokaryotic organisms

Aorta

The archery that leaves the heart from the left ventricle and carries oxygenated blood to the body

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. They have thick walls containing muscle and elastic tissue.

Atria

The upper chambers of the heart

Capillaries

The smallest blood vessels. They run between individual cells and have a wall list is only one cell thick so substances can diffuse into an out of them quicker

Coronary arteries

The blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.

Double circulatory system

The circulation of blood from the heart to the lungs is separate from the circulation of blood from the heart to the rest of the body

Epidermal

The name given to cells that make up the epidermis or outer layer of an organism

Gaurd cells

Surround the stomata in the leaves of plants and control their opening and closing

Haemoglobin

The red pigments that carries oxygen around the body in red blood cells

Palisade mesophyll

The upper layer of the metaphor tissue in plant leaves made up of closely packed cells that contain many chloroplasts for photosynthesis

Phloem

The Living transport tissue in plants that carries dissolved foods (sugars closed) around the plants

Plasma

The clear yellow liquid part of the blood that carries dissolved substances (eg Carbon dioxide and urea) and blood cells around the body

Platelets

Fragments of cells in the blood that play a vital role in The clothing of blood

Pulmonary arteries

The large blood vessel that takes deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs to get oxygenated

Pulmonary vein

The large blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart

Red blood cells

Buy concave cells that contain the red pigments hemoglobin and carry oxygen around the blood

Spongy mesophyll

The lower layer of misophyll tissue in plants leaves that contain some chloroplasts and many large air spaces to give a big surface area for the plant exchange of gases

Statins

Drugs used to lower blood cholesterol levels a treatment for coronary heart disease

Stent

A metal mesh placed in a blockage or particular blocked artery. They are used to open up the blood vessel by the inflation of a tiny balloon a treatment for coronary heart disease

Translocation

The loss of water theatre from the leaves of plants through the stomata when they are open to allow gas exchange for photosynthesis. It involves evaporation from the surface of the cells and diffusion through the stomata

Urea

The waste product formed by the breakdown of excess amino acids in the liver

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart they usually carry deoxygenated blood and have valves to prevent the black flow of blood

Vena cava

The large bane that brings deoxygenated blood from the body into the heart

Ventricles

Chambers of the heart that contract toforce blood out of the heart

White blood cells

Blood cells involved in the immune system of the body they engulf pathogens and make antibodies and anti-toxins

Xylem

The non living transport tissue and the plants that transport water from the roots to the leaves and shoots