Year 11 Biology chapter 1

Protista

A kingdom of eukaryotic organisms that have a cell wall, lack chloroplasts, and possess membrane-bound nuclei and organelles.

Cytology

The study of cells, utilizing various tools and techniques to understand cell structure and function.

Resolution

The ability to distinguish two objects as distinct in microscopy.

Light Microscope

A microscope that uses light and lenses to magnify images, allowing the viewing of living cells in color.

Electron Microscope

A microscope that uses an electron beam to create high-resolution images of specimens, usually requiring them to be dead.

Facilitated Diffusion

A process by which molecules move across a cell membrane with the help of transport proteins, along the concentration gradient.

Osmosis

The movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a selectively permeable membrane.

Active Transport

The process of moving molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy, often using carrier proteins.

Endocytosis

A cellular process in which substances are brought into the cell by the engulfing of material through the cell membrane.

Exocytosis

The process by which large molecules exit the cell, where vesicle membrane fuses with the cell membrane.

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food from inorganic compounds, mainly through the process of photosynthesis.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain organic compounds by consuming other organisms, requiring cellular respiration to release energy.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells without being consumed in the process.

Lock and Key Model

A model of enzyme activity suggesting that the enzyme and substrate fit together like a key in a lock.

Induced Fit Model

A model of enzyme activity suggesting that the enzyme changes shape upon substrate binding, improving the fit.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher concentration of solute compared to the cell, leading to water moving out of the cell.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower concentration of solute compared to the cell, leading to water moving into the cell.

Isotonic Solution

A solution where the concentration of solute is equal to that of the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

pH

A measure of acidity or alkalinity, affecting enzyme activity and function.

Surface Area to Volume Ratio

A comparison of the surface area of a cell to its volume, influencing efficiency of material exchange.

Fluid Mosaic Model

The model describing the cell membrane, consisting of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins and cholesterol.

Mitochondria

Double-membrane organelles responsible for cellular respiration and energy (ATP) production.

Chloroplast

Organelles in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis, containing chlorophyll and thylakoids.

Lysosomes

Membrane-bound vesicles containing enzymes for digestion and waste processing within cells.

Protista

A kingdom of eukaryotic organisms that have a cell wall, lack chloroplasts, and possess membrane-bound nuclei and organelles.

Cytology

The study of cells, utilizing various tools and techniques to understand cell structure and function.

Resolution

The ability to distinguish two objects as distinct in microscopy.

Light Microscope

A microscope that uses light and lenses to magnify images, allowing the viewing of living cells in color.

Electron Microscope

A microscope that uses an electron beam to create high-resolution images of specimens, usually requiring them to be dead.

Facilitated Diffusion

A process by which molecules move across a cell membrane with the help of transport proteins, along the concentration gradient.

Osmosis

The movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a selectively permeable membrane.

Active Transport

The process of moving molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy, often using carrier proteins.

Endocytosis

A cellular process in which substances are brought into the cell by the engulfing of material through the cell membrane.

Exocytosis

The process by which large molecules exit the cell, where vesicle membrane fuses with the cell membrane.

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food from inorganic compounds, mainly through the process of photosynthesis.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain organic compounds by consuming other organisms, requiring cellular respiration to release energy.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells without being consumed in the process.

Lock and Key Model

A model of enzyme activity suggesting that the enzyme and substrate fit together like a key in a lock.

Induced Fit Model

A model of enzyme activity suggesting that the enzyme changes shape upon substrate binding, improving the fit.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher concentration of solute compared to the cell, leading to water moving out of the cell.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower concentration of solute compared to the cell, leading to water moving into the cell.

Isotonic Solution

A solution where the concentration of solute is equal to that of the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

pH

A measure of acidity or alkalinity, affecting enzyme activity and function.

Surface Area to Volume Ratio

A comparison of the surface area of a cell to its volume, influencing efficiency of material exchange.

Fluid Mosaic Model

The model describing the cell membrane, consisting of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins and cholesterol.

Mitochondria

Double-membrane organelles responsible for cellular respiration and energy (ATP) production.

Chloroplast

Organelles in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis, containing chlorophyll and thylakoids.

Lysosomes

Membrane-bound vesicles containing enzymes for digestion and waste processing within cells.

Prokaryotic Cell

A type of cell that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles; examples include bacteria and archaea.

Eukaryotic Cell

A type of cell that possesses a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles; examples include animal, plant, fungal, and protist cells.

Nucleus

The organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) and controls cell activities.

Cell Theory

A fundamental biological principle stating that all living things are composed of cells, cells are the basic units of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Protista

A kingdom of eukaryotic organisms that have a cell wall, lack chloroplasts, and possess membrane-bound nuclei and organelles.

Cytology

The study of cells, utilizing various tools and techniques to understand cell structure and function.

Resolution

The ability to distinguish two objects as distinct in microscopy.

Light Microscope

A microscope that uses light and lenses to magnify images, allowing the viewing of living cells in color.

Electron Microscope

A microscope that uses an electron beam to create high-resolution images of specimens, usually requiring them to be dead.

Facilitated Diffusion

A process by which molecules move across a cell membrane with the help of transport proteins, along the concentration gradient.

Osmosis

The movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a selectively permeable membrane.

Active Transport

The process of moving molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy, often using carrier proteins.

Endocytosis

A cellular process in which substances are brought into the cell by the engulfing of material through the cell membrane.

Exocytosis

The process by which large molecules exit the cell, where vesicle membrane fuses with the cell membrane.

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food from inorganic compounds, mainly through the process of photosynthesis.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain organic compounds by consuming other organisms, requiring cellular respiration to release energy.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells without being consumed in the process.

Lock and Key Model

A model of enzyme activity suggesting that the enzyme and substrate fit together like a key in a lock.

Induced Fit Model

A model of enzyme activity suggesting that the enzyme changes shape upon substrate binding, improving the fit.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher concentration of solute compared to the cell, leading to water moving out of the cell.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower concentration of solute compared to the cell, leading to water moving into the cell.

Isotonic Solution

A solution where the concentration of solute is equal to that of the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

pH

A measure of acidity or alkalinity, affecting enzyme activity and function.

Surface Area to Volume Ratio

A comparison of the surface area of a cell to its volume, influencing efficiency of material exchange.

Fluid Mosaic Model

The model describing the cell membrane, consisting of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins and cholesterol.

Mitochondria

Double-membrane organelles responsible for cellular respiration and energy (ATP) production.

Chloroplast

Organelles in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis, containing chlorophyll and thylakoids.

Lysosomes

Membrane-bound vesicles containing enzymes for digestion and waste processing within cells.

Prokaryotic Cell

A type of cell that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles; examples include bacteria and archaea.

Eukaryotic Cell

A type of cell that possesses a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles; examples include animal, plant, fungal, and protist cells.

Nucleus

The organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) and controls cell activities.

Cell Theory

A fundamental biological principle stating that all living things are composed of cells, cells are the basic units of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Ribosome

Cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis by translating messenger RNA.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A network of membranes in eukaryotic cells involved in protein and lipid synthesis and transport.

Rough ER

Part of the ER studded with ribosomes, involved in synthesizing and modifying proteins destined for secretion or insertion into membranes.

Smooth ER

Part of the ER without ribosomes, involved in lipid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium storage.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle in eukaryotic cells responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

Vacuoles

Membrane-bound sacs within cells, involved in storage, waste removal, and maintaining turgor pressure in plant cells.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer found in plant, fungal, algal, and bacterial cells, providing structural support and protection.

Cell Membrane

The selectively permeable outer boundary of all cells, regulating the passage of substances.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like substance filling the cell, outside the nucleus, where organelles are suspended.

Nucleolus

A dense structure within the nucleus, primarily involved in ribosome synthesis and assembly.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The genetic material in most living organisms, carrying hereditary information in the form of a double helix.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A nucleic acid essential for various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

An RNA molecule that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

An RNA molecule that brings specific amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

An RNA molecule that forms a structural and catalytic component of ribosomes.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from an mRNA template.

Replication

The biological process of producing two identical copies of DNA from one original DNA molecule.

Central Dogma

The fundamental concept in molecular biology stating that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins, linked together by peptide bonds.