Biology Lecture Review: Cells, Physiology & Plant Processes

100 fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering key definitions, structures, functions, processes and adaptations from chapters on cell biology, movement of substances, nutrition, transport, respiration and plant physiology.

The net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration is called __.

diffusion

The net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential to a region of lower water potential across a partially permeable membrane is __.

osmosis

A chemical substance produced by glands and carried by the blood to alter the activity of target organs is a __.

hormone

In aerobic respiration, __ + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + large amount of energy.

glucose

During anaerobic respiration in humans, glucose is broken down into __ + small amount of energy.

lactic acid

The loss of water vapour from the stomata of leaves is known as __.

transpiration

The transport of food (sucrose and amino acids) in the phloem from leaves to other parts of the plant is __.

translocation

During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide and water are converted into __ + oxygen.

glucose

The __ is partially permeable and controls substances entering and leaving the cell.

cell membrane

The __ contains DNA and controls all activities of the cell, including division.

nucleus

__ break down glucose to release energy for cell activities by aerobic respiration.

Mitochondria

__ make proteins and can be free in cytoplasm or attached to rough ER.

Ribosomes

The __ of plant cells is made of cellulose, is fully permeable and gives the cell shape.

cell wall

__ contain chlorophyll and trap light energy for photosynthesis.

Chloroplasts

The central __ in plant cells stores food and water as cell sap.

vacuole

Unlike plant cells, animal cells do NOT have a __.

cell wall

Plant cells usually contain one large __, whereas animal cells have many small ones.

vacuole

The red pigment that binds oxygen in red blood cells is __.

haemoglobin

Red blood cells lack a __ to provide more space for haemoglobin.

nucleus

The __ shape of a red blood cell increases its surface area to volume ratio for faster oxygen diffusion.

biconcave

Muscle cells contain many __ to supply extra energy for contractions.

mitochondria

The long, narrow __ of a root hair cell increases surface area for water absorption.

root hair

Oxygen moves from the alveoli into blood capillaries by __.

diffusion

When a plant cell is placed in an isotonic solution, there is __ net movement of water.

no

An animal cell placed in distilled water will swell and __.

burst

An animal cell placed in a concentrated salt solution loses water and becomes __.

crenated

Water entering a plant cell in distilled water makes the cell __.

turgid

A plant cell in a hypertonic solution loses water and becomes __.

plasmolysed

The basic unit of starch, cellulose and glycogen is __.

glucose

Proteins are made of building blocks called __.

amino acids

Fats consist of glycerol and __ fatty acids.

three (3)

A blue-black colour with iodine indicates the presence of __.

starch

A green-to-brick-red precipitate with Benedict’s solution shows __.

reducing sugar

A purple/violet colour with Biuret solution indicates __.

protein

A white emulsion after the ethanol test indicates the presence of __.

fats

Biological __ speed up reactions and remain chemically unchanged at the end.

catalysts (enzymes)

The __ hypothesis explains why only substrates with complementary shapes bind to an enzyme’s active site.

lock and key

When temperature exceeds the optimum, enzymes become __ and lose activity.

denatured

Extreme pH values will __ enzymes.

denature

The process of taking food into the mouth is called __.

ingestion

Large, insoluble food molecules are broken down during __.

digestion

The uptake of digested nutrients into the bloodstream at the small intestine is __.

absorption

The use of absorbed nutrients by cells for energy or growth is __.

assimilation

The removal of undigested waste through the anus is __.

egestion

In the mouth, salivary amylase acts on __.

starch

Protease in the stomach works best at a(n) __ pH.

acidic

Bile emulsifies __ to increase surface area for lipase action.

fats

In the duodenum, pancreatic amylase converts starch to __.

maltose

The hepatic portal vein transports __ and amino acids from the small intestine to the liver.

glucose

Insulin lowers blood glucose by converting glucose into __ for storage.

glycogen

Glucagon raises blood glucose by converting glycogen to __.

glucose

Type 2 diabetes often results when the body becomes resistant to __.

insulin

Red blood cells carry oxygen bound to __.

haemoglobin

White blood cells can produce __ to destroy bacteria.

antibodies

Platelets convert soluble fibrinogen to insoluble __ to form a blood clot.

fibrin

Arteries transport blood __ from the heart.

away

__ in veins prevent the back-flow of blood.

Valves

Capillary walls are only __ cell thick to allow exchange of substances.

one

The pulmonary artery carries __ blood from the heart to the lungs.

deoxygenated

The pulmonary vein carries __ blood back to the heart.

oxygenated

Fatty deposits narrowing the __ artery can lead to coronary heart disease.

coronary

Aerobic respiration releases a __ amount of energy.

large

Anaerobic respiration releases a __ amount of energy.

small

A thin, one-cell-thick wall in alveoli shortens the diffusion __ for gases.

distance

The addictive chemical in cigarettes that increases blood clot risk is __.

nicotine

__ in tobacco smoke paralyses cilia and can lead to lung cancer.

Tar

Carbon monoxide forms __ with haemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport.

carboxyhaemoglobin

Diseases that can spread from person to person are caused by __ such as viruses and bacteria.

pathogens

Antibiotics are effective against __ but not viruses.

bacteria

Misuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-__ bacteria.

resistant

Vaccines contain __ that stimulate white blood cells to produce antibodies.

antigens

Influenza is caused by an influenza __.

virus

Pneumococcal disease is caused by pneumococcal __.

bacteria

Palisade mesophyll cells contain many __ for photosynthesis.

chloroplasts

__ control the size of stomata and thus gas exchange.

Guard cells

__ vessels transport water and mineral salts from roots to leaves.

Xylem

__ transport food (sucrose and amino acids) from leaves to other parts.

Phloem

__ absorbs light energy and converts it to chemical energy during photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll

Photosynthesis makes __ energy available to animals and other organisms.

chemical

Root hair cells have concentrated cell sap creating a steep __ gradient for water uptake.

water potential

__ is the loss of water vapour from the stomata of leaves.

Transpiration

Transpiration pull moves water up the __.

xylem

Higher temperature generally __ the rate of transpiration.

increases

High humidity generally __ the rate of transpiration.

decreases

__ is the transport of manufactured food through the phloem.

Translocation

During vigorous exercise, muscles accumulate __ acid.

lactic

Oxygen debt is repaid by breathing quickly and __ after exercise.

deeply

Muscle fatigue results from the build-up of __.

lactic acid

Smoking significantly increases the risk of coronary __ disease.

heart

The bicuspid (mitral) valve lies between the left atrium and left __.

ventricle

The semi-lunar valves prevent backflow from the arteries into the __.

ventricles

In pulmonary circulation, blood enters the lungs at __ pressure.

lower

In systemic circulation, blood is pumped to the body at __ pressure.

high

The huge branching of capillaries provides a large total __ for exchange.

surface area

Water enters root hair cells from the soil by __.

osmosis

Water vapour diffuses out of the leaf through stomata by __.

diffusion

Bile is stored in the __.

gall bladder

The pancreas produces the hormones insulin and __.

glucagon

Lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and __.

glycerol

Amylase converts starch to __.

maltose