VCE Biology Units 3 and 4 Study Design Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key concepts, biochemical pathways, genetics, immunology, evolution, and scientific investigation conventions from VCE Biology Units 3 and 4.

Nucleic acids

Information molecules that encode instructions for the synthesis of proteins, including DNA and the three main forms of RNA: mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA.

Genetic code

A degenerate, universal triplet code that directs gene expression through the steps of transcription, eukaryotic RNA processing, and translation by ribosomes.

Gene structure

The organisation of a gene consisting of coding sequences called exons, non-coding intervening sequences called introns, and regulatory promoter and operator regions.

trp operon

A simplified regulatory process in prokaryotic cells that serves as an example of basic gene regulation.

Proteome

The complete collection of diverse proteins that are expressed by an organism.

Protein secretory pathway

The cellular pathway responsible for the export of proteins from a cell, involving the rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and associated vesicles.

Polymerase

An enzyme used in DNA manipulation to synthesise DNA strands.

Ligase

An enzyme used in molecular biology to join pieces of DNA together.

Endonucleases

Enzymes utilized in DNA manipulation techniques to cut DNA at specific recognition sequences.

CRISPR-Cas9

A bacterial defense system adapted as a biotechnology tool to edit an organism's genome and improve photosynthetic efficiencies and crop yields.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A laboratory technique used for the amplification of DNA sequences.

Gel electrophoresis

A technique used for sorting DNA fragments by size, which includes the interpretation of gel runs for DNA profiling.

Recombinant plasmids

Plasmids used as vectors to transform bacterial cells, such as in the manufacturing of human insulin.

Rubisco

A key enzyme in photosynthesis around which C3, C4, and CAM plants possess adaptations to maximise photosynthetic efficiency.

Cellular respiration

A biochemical pathway composed of glycolysis, the Krebs Cycle, and the electron transport chain that breaks down reactants to yield ATP.

Innate immune response

A non-specific immune mechanism involving an inflammatory response, complement proteins, interferons, and cellular components including macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, eosinophils, natural killer cells, and mast cells.

Antigens

Unique molecules categorized as self-antigens or non-self antigens that are capable of eliciting an immune response.

Lymphatic system

A transport network in the immune response featuring lymph nodes that act as sites for antigen recognition by T and B lymphocytes.

Adaptive immune response

An antigen-specific immune response countering extracellular and intracellular threats through the actions of B lymphocytes, antibodies, helper T cells, and cytotoxic T cells.

Monoclonal antibodies

Engineered antibodies used as an immunotherapy strategy in the clinical treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Allopatric speciation

Speciation resulting from geographical isolation and genetic divergence, as exemplified by Galapagos finches.

Sympatric speciation

Speciation that occurs without geographic isolation through genetic divergence within the same area, as exemplified by Howea palms on Lord Howe Island.

Molecular homology

Evidence for evolutionary relatedness between species based on similarities in DNA and amino acid sequences.

Phylogenetic trees

Diagrammatic representations used and interpreted to display the evolutionary relatedness among species.

Logbook

A bound record maintained by students for record-keeping, assessment, and authentication during the scientific investigation.

Scientific poster

The formal communication format used to report the aim, methodology, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion of a student investigation, limited to a maximum of 600 words for Unit 4, Outcome 3.

Proteome

The complete set of proteins that collectively make up an organism.

Degenerate Genetic Code

The characteristic of the universal triplet genetic code in which multiple nucleotide triplets can encode the same amino acid.

Exons

Coding regions of a eukaryotic gene that are retained after RNA processing and expressed into a polypeptide.

Introns

Non-coding regions of a gene in eukaryotic cells that are removed during RNA processing.

Promoter Region

An upstream sequence of a gene where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

Operator Region

A segment of DNA within an operon where a repressor protein can bind to regulate gene transcription.

trp Operon

A prokaryotic operon serving as a simplified model to demonstrate the mechanisms of gene regulation.

Endonucleases

Enzymes used in molecular biology to manipulate DNA by cutting DNA molecules at specific nucleotide sequences.

Ligase

An enzyme used to join fragments of DNA together during molecular manipulation.

Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesises new strands of DNA or RNA by linking nucleotides.

CRISPR-Cas9

A bacterial adaptive immune mechanism adapted as a molecular tool to edit an organism's genome and enhance photosynthetic efficiency.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A laboratory technique used for the enzymatic amplification of specific DNA sequences.

Gel Electrophoresis

A technique that sorts DNA fragments by size to facilitate analysis and interpretation for DNA profiling.

Recombinant Plasmids

Plasmids containing foreign DNA engineered to act as vectors for transforming bacterial cells, such as in the synthesis of human insulin.

Transgenic Organisms

Organisms that have genes from another species inserted into their genome, utilized in agriculture to raise crop productivity and disease resistance.

Coenzymes

Organic molecules that assist enzymes in facilitating chemical conversions within biochemical pathways.

Competitive Inhibitor

An inhibitor that directly binds to the active site of an enzyme, preventing substrate binding and reducing reaction rate.

Non-competitive Inhibitor

An inhibitor that binds to an allosteric site on an enzyme, altering the conformation of the active site.

Rubisco

A critical photosynthetic enzyme that fixes carbon dioxide, showing adaptations across C3, C4, and CAM plants to maximise photosynthetic efficiency.

Glycolysis

The initial biochemical pathway of cellular respiration occurring in the cytosol that breaks down glucose and yields ATP.

Anaerobic Fermentation

A pathway occurring without oxygen that recycles coenzymes, producing lactic acid in animals and ethanol with carbon dioxide in yeasts.

Antigens

Unique molecules capable of eliciting an immune response, distinguished as self-antigens or non-self antigens.

Microbiota Barriers

Commensal microorganisms inhabiting body surfaces in animals and plants that act as preventative physical-biological barriers against infection.

Interferons

Signalling proteins released by host cells as part of the innate immune response to impede viral replication.

Complement Proteins

Plasma proteins in the innate immune system that aid in the destruction of pathogens by opsonisation, lysis, and promoting inflammation.

Lymph Nodes

Components of the lymphatic system that serve as primary sites for antigen recognition by T and B lymphocytes.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Laboratory-produced antibodies designed to target specific antigens, utilized in immunotherapy for treating autoimmune disorders and cancer.

Herd Immunity

Indirect protection of susceptible individuals within a population from an infectious disease, achieved through high vaccination coverage.

Antigenic Drift

Gradual changes in viral surface antigens arising from accumulated mutations in the viral genome.

Antigenic Shift

A sudden, major alteration in viral surface antigens caused by genetic reassortment, posing severe challenges for vaccination.

Genetic Drift

Random fluctuations in allele frequencies within a population's gene pool from generation to generation.

Gene Flow

The transfer of alleles between populations due to the movement and interbreeding of individuals.

Allopatric Speciation

Speciation driven by geographic isolation and reproductive divergence, exemplified by Galápagos finches.

Sympatric Speciation

Speciation occurring within the same geographical location without physical barriers, exemplified by Howea palms on Lord Howe Island.

Transitional Fossils

Fossils that exhibit intermediary morphological traits between an ancestral group and its derived descendant group.

Homologous Structures

Anatomical structures that show common evolutionary ancestry despite differences in function or external form.

Vestigial Structures

Reduced anatomical structures that have lost most or all of their original biological function through evolution.

Hominins

A taxonomic group comprising modern humans, extinct human species, and immediate ancestral bipedal relatives such as Australopithecus and Homo.

Scientific Poster

A prescribed VCE presentation format communicating the design, findings, and analysis of a student investigation, limited to 600 words.