Biology Lecture: Characteristics of Life, Cells, Transport, and Nutrition

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the characteristics of life, cell biology, transport mechanisms, biological molecules, enzymes, human circulation, plant transport, and the digestive system.

Movement

The ability of the organism to change position or place.

Respiration

The ability to break down nutrients to release energy for all processes through chemical reactions.

Sensitivity

The ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment.

Growth

The ability to permanently increase in size or mass.

Reproduction

The ability to produce more of the same kind of organism.

Excretion

The ability to remove waste or excess products and substances, such as sweating and urine.

Nutrition

The ability to take in materials and nutrients for energy, growth, and development.

Organism

A living thing.

Nucleus

The organelle where the genetic information of a cell is stored.

Cell membrane

A semi-permeable thin layer of protein and fat that controls what enters and exits the cell.

Cytoplasm

A jelly-like substance (mainly ~70% water) that allows metabolic processes to take place and contains dissolved substances.

Vacuole

A structure containing cell sap used for storage of materials and supporting cell shape; large in plants, while animal cells have small ones called vesicles.

Mitochondria

The site of aerobic respiration which releases energy for use in the cell.

Ribosomes

Cell structures that carry out protein synthesis.

Cell Wall

A fully permeable structure made of cellulose that supports and protects plant cells.

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant cells that contains chlorophyll for photosynthesis and starch grains.

Plasmid

Small circles of DNA found in bacteria cells.

Red blood cell

A specialized cell with no nucleus and a concave shape used to carry more oxygen.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules and ions from a region of high concentration to a region of lower concentration down a concentration gradient as a result of their random movement.

Osmosis

The movement of water molecules from a region of high water potential (dilute solution) to a region of low water potential (concentrated solution) through a partially permeable membrane.

Turgid

A state where the vacuole pushes against the strong cell wall.

Plasmolysed

A state where the cytoplasm shrinks and pulls away from the cell wall, often leading to wilting.

Active Transport

The movement of particles through a cell membrane from a region of low concentration to a region of higher concentration using energy from respiration.

Monosaccharides

The basic unit of carbohydrates, such as glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$), which are small, soluble, and sweet.

Polysaccharides

Insoluble carbohydrates made of three or more monosaccharides, such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

Iodine Test

A chemical test for starch where a positive result turns from brown to blue-black.

Benedict's Test

A chemical test for reducing sugars that requires heating; a positive result turns from blue to brick red.

Biuret Test

A chemical test for protein where a positive result turns from blue to purple.

Ethanol Emulsion Test

A test for fats and lipids where a positive result appears white or opaque.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that change or speed up the rate at which a reaction occurs.

Active site

The specific area on an enzyme that is complementary to and bonds with the substrate.

Denaturation

The process where an enzyme's active site permanently changes shape due to extreme temperature or pH, causing it to cease working.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart with thick muscular and elastic walls to withstand high pressure.

Veins

Large blood vessels that bring blood back to the heart and contain valves to prevent backflow.

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels with thin walls that allow for increased rates of diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.

Coronary Arteries

Blood vessels that provide the heart muscle with its own supply of oxygen and glucose.

Plasma

The straw-colored liquid part of blood that transports cells, ions, nutrients, urea, hormones, and carbon dioxide.

Phagocytes

White blood cells that engulf and destroy pathogens.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells that produce antibodies to protect the body against pathogens.

Balanced Diet

A diet which contains all seven types of nutrients in the correct amounts and proportions.

Scurvy

A deficiency disease caused by a lack of Vitamin C, resulting in joint and muscle pain and old wounds reopening.

Rickets

A deficiency disease caused by a lack of Vitamin D, leading to soft and deformed bones.

Xylem

Dead, empty cells joined end to end with walls made of lignin that transport water and mineral ions.

Phloem

Living cells joined end to end that transport sucrose and amino acids.

Transpiration

The loss of water vapor from leaves, which helps regulate plant temperature and supports photosynthesis.

Peristalsis

A wave-like motion of muscle contraction and relaxation that moves food along the alimentary canal.

Bile

An alkaline substance made in the liver and stored in the gall bladder that emulsifies fats into small droplets.

Assimilation

The process where food molecules are transported into the cell for metabolic processes.

Egestion

The process where undigested material exits the body as faeces.