BIO: LECTURE 1 + 2

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position of the body, standing upright, facing the observer, with upper limbs at the sides and palms turned forward.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain stability and balance in internal conditions despite external changes.

Negative Feedback

A process where the product of an action leads to a decrease in that action, helping to maintain homeostasis.

Positive Feedback

A process where the product of an action leads to an increase in that action, often seen in processes like childbirth and blood clotting.

Polar Molecule

A molecule with an unequal distribution of charge, resulting in partial positive and negative charges, such as water (H2O).

Hydrophilic

Molecules that are water-loving, polar, and can interact with water, such as glucose and salt.

Hydrophobic

Molecules that are water-fearing, non-polar, and do not interact with water, such as fats and oils.

Organic Compounds

Compounds that contain carbon and are essential for life, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Plasma Membrane

The lipid bilayer that separates the internal environment of the cell from the external environment, controlling the movement of substances in and out of the cell.

Active Transport

The movement of molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy, often in the form of ATP.

Passive Transport

The movement of molecules down their concentration gradient without the use of energy.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells for growth and repair.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces gametes with half the genetic material, resulting in cells with 23 chromosomes.