Biology Methods, Cell Biology, Cell Division, and Biochemistry Flashcards

A set of 30 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from scientific methods, cell organelles, cell division, lipids, enzymes, and biological macromolecules.

Scientific Method

A systematic process used to investigate questions and solve problems through observation, experimentation, and analysis.

Independent Variable

The factor that is deliberately changed by the researcher.

Dependent Variable

The factor that is measured or observed in an experiment.

Control Group

The group that does not receive the experimental treatment and is used for comparison.

Mitochondrion

The organelle that produces ATP through cellular respiration.

Ribosome

The organelle responsible for making proteins.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.

Lysosome

An organelle containing enzymes that break down wastes and damaged cell parts.

Prokaryotic Cell

A cell without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic Cell

A cell containing a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Interphase

The stage when a cell grows, performs normal functions, and copies its DNA.

Mitosis

Cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

Cell division that produces four genetically different haploid cells.

Diploid

A cell containing two sets of chromosomes, represented as $2n$.

Haploid

A cell containing one set of chromosomes, represented as $n$.

Crossing Over

Exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

Triglyceride

A lipid made of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids.

Saturated Fat

A fat containing fatty acids with no carbon-carbon double bonds.

Unsaturated Fat

A fat containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.

Phospholipid Bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids that forms the basic structure of the cell membrane.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions without being consumed.

Active Site

The specific region of an enzyme where the substrate binds.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy required to start a chemical reaction.

Denaturation

A change in an enzyme's shape that causes it to lose its function.

Competitive Inhibitor

A substance that competes with a substrate for an enzyme's active site.

Noncompetitive Inhibitor

A substance that binds to an enzyme away from the active site and reduces its activity.

Dehydration Synthesis

A reaction that joins molecules together by removing water.

Hydrolysis

A reaction that breaks a larger molecule into smaller molecules by adding water.

Peptide Bond

The chemical bond that joins amino acids together.

Nucleotide

A molecule composed of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.