Unit C Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards covering vocabulary and concepts from Unit C: Cycling of Matter in Living Systems, based on the provided lecture notes.

Adhesion

Attractive force between molecules of different substances.

Auxin

Plant hormone that promotes cell elongation and regulates growth.

Cell Theory

States that all living organisms are composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Cellular Respiration

Process by which cells convert glucose into energy in the presence of oxygen, releasing carbon dioxide and water.

Cohesion

Attractive force between molecules of the same substance.

Compound Light Microscope

Microscope that uses visible light and a system of lenses to magnify small objects.

Concentration Gradient

Gradual change in the concentration of solutes in a solution as a function of distance through a solution.

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope

Microscope that uses laser light to scan a specimen, producing high-resolution, three-dimensional images.

Control Systems

Mechanisms that regulate and maintain stable conditions within a system.

Controlled Experiment

Experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time to isolate its effect on the outcome.

Cytoplasmic Streaming

Movement of cytoplasm within a cell, facilitating the transport of molecules.

Electron Microscope

Microscope that uses a beam of accelerated electrons to illuminate a specimen, capable of much higher magnifications than light microscopes.

Fluid-Mosaic Model

Model of the cell membrane as a dynamic structure composed of lipids and proteins that can move freely within the membrane.

Guard Cells

Specialized plant cells that control the opening and closing of stomata.

Gravitropism

Plant growth response to gravity.

Hormone

Chemical messenger produced in one part of an organism that triggers a response in another part.

Open System

System that exchanges matter and energy with its surroundings.

Organ

Collection of tissues performing a specific function.

Organelles

Specialized subunits within a cell that perform specific functions.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, using carbon dioxide and water.

Phototropism

Plant growth response to light.

Plasmolysis

Contraction of the protoplast of a plant cell as a result of loss of water from the cell.

Pressure Difference

Difference in pressure between two regions.

Spontaneous Generation

Incorrect hypothesis that living organisms develop from nonliving matter.

Stomata

Small pores on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange.

System

Set of interacting components forming a complex whole.

Tissue

Group of similar cells performing a specific function.

Tonicity

Ability of a solution to cause a cell to gain or lose water.

Transpiration

Evaporation of water from plant leaves.

Turgor Pressure

Pressure exerted by the cell contents against the cell wall to maintain rigidity.