Biology 5090 Lecture Notes: Topics 1-15 Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic cell biology, classification, biological molecules, plant and human physiology, immunity, and coordination based on Biology 5090 Topics 1-15.

Nucleus

A structure that controls cell activities in animal and plant cells.

Cell membrane

A partially permeable membrane which controls the movement of substances in and out of cells.

Ribosome

The site of protein synthesis within a cell.

Mitochondria

Structures that provide energy by aerobic respiration.

Cytoplasm

The site where chemical reactions take place within a cell.

Sap vacuole

A structure in plant cells containing cell sap to maintain cell shape.

Cell wall

Provides structure and protection to plant and bacterial cells.

Chloroplast

Contains chlorophyll to absorb light energy for photosynthesis.

Plasmid

A structure in bacterial cells that contains double-stranded DNA.

Circular DNA

The genetic material of bacteria.

Ciliated cell

A specialized animal cell containing cilia to move mucus.

Sperm cell

The male sex cell used for reproduction.

Nerve cell/neurone

A specialized cell that carries impulses.

Egg cell

The female sex cell used for reproduction.

Red blood cell

A cell responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

Root hair cell

A plant cell that absorbs water and mineral ions from the soil.

Xylem vessel

Transports water in plants and provides support through lignin content.

Palisade mesophyll cell

A plant cell containing chloroplasts primarily for photosynthesis.

Magnification Formula

$$\text{Magnification} = \frac{\text{Image Size}}{\text{Actual Size}}$$

Species

A group of organisms that can reproduce to produce a fertile offspring.

Kingdom Fungi

Multicellular organisms with a complex cell structure and nucleus that are saprophytic (feed on other matter).

Kingdom Plant

Multicellular organisms with a complex cell structure and nucleus that are autotrophic (able to make their own food).

Kingdom Animal

Multicellular organisms with a complex cell structure and nucleus that are heterotrophic (feed on other plants or animals).

Kingdom Protoctist

Mostly unicellular organisms with a complex cell structure and nucleus.

Kingdom Prokaryote

Unicellular organisms with a simple cell structure and no nucleus.

Dichotomous key

A tool used to help identify plant and animal species by eliminating options.

Arthropods

Invertebrates with a hard, waterproof exoskeleton and jointed limbs.

Arachnids

Arthropods with $8$ legs, $2$ body parts (abdomen and thorax), and no antenna.

Crustaceans

Arthropods with $10$ legs, $2$ body parts, and the presence of an antenna; mostly sea creatures.

Insects

Arthropods with $6$ legs, $3$ body parts (head, abdomen, thorax), and the presence of an antenna.

Myriapods

Arthropods with many legs and a long, thin, segmented body with an antenna.

Ferns

Plants that reproduce by spores.

Angiosperms

Flowering plants that reproduce by flowers and seeds, divided into Monocot and Dicot.

Virus

A non-living entity that carries genetic material (RNA/DNA), has a protein coat, and needs a host to multiply.

Diffusion

The movement of any molecules EXCEPT WATER from high concentration to low concentration (down a concentration gradient).

Osmosis

The movement of WATER MOLECULES ONLY from high concentration to low concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.

Hypotonic solution

A dilute solution with a high water concentration or high water potential.

Hypertonic solution

A concentrated solution with a low water concentration or low water potential.

Isotonic solution

A solution having an equal water concentration to another.

Turgid

A state where a plant cell swells due to high pressure from water entering via osmosis in a hypotonic solution.

Plasmolysed

A state where a plant cell sap vacuole shrinks and the cell membrane moves away from the cell wall due to water loss in a hypertonic solution.

Active transport

The movement of ions or solutes from low concentration to high concentration (up/against a concentration gradient) using energy and a semi-permeable membrane.

Carbohydrates

Biological molecules made of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen (CHO) with glucose as the smaller unit.

Proteins

Biological molecules made of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Sulphur (CHONS) with amino acids as the smaller unit.

Nucleic Acids

Biological molecules made of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus (CHONP) with nucleotides as the smaller unit.

Iodine Test

A food test for starch where a positive result is blue-black and a negative result is brown.

Biuret Test

A food test for protein where a positive result is purple and a negative result is blue.

Ethanol emulsion test

A food test for lipids involving ethanol and cold water; a positive result is the formation of a cloudy emulsion.

Benedict Test

A food test for reducing sugars (glucose/maltose) using heat; a positive result is orange to red brick color.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst referred to as the 'lock' in the lock and key model.

Substrate

The molecule that binds to an enzyme's active site, referred to as the 'key'.

Denature

The loss of enzyme function when the active site's shape changes due to high temperature or extreme pH.

Waxy cuticle

A water-proof non-cellular layer on a leaf that prevents water loss.

Guard cell

A cell that contains chloroplasts and controls the opening and closing of the stomata.

Stomata

Openings in the leaf for gas exchange where $CO_2$ diffuses in and $O_2$ diffuses out.

Transpiration

The removal of water vapour through stomata.

Transpiration pull

The pulling of water through the stem from the roots to the leaves due to differences in water potential.

Cohesion

The force where water molecules attract each other to form a continuous column in the xylem.

Adhesion

The force where water molecules attract to the walls of the xylem.

Translocation

The movement of sucrose and amino acids through the phloem from the source (leaf) to the sink (stem, roots, fruits).

Vitamin C Deficiency

Scurvy, characterized by bleeding swollen gums.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Rickets, where bones become soft and deformed.

Iron

A mineral needed to make haemoglobin in red blood cells; deficiency causes Anaemia.

Enamel

The harder part of the tooth crown that does not contain nerve or blood supply.

Bolus

A ball-like mixture of food and saliva formed in the mouth.

Peristalsis

The movement of food through the alimentary canal caused by the contraction of circular muscles and relaxation of longitudinal muscles.

Chyme

The semi-fluid mass of partly digested food formed by the churning action of the stomach.

Villus

A structure in the ileum responsible for absorption; contains blood capillaries and a lacteal.

Lacteal

A structure in the villus where fatty acids and glycerol are absorbed.

Alveolus

The site for human gas exchange, characterized by a large surface area, thin walls, and moist surface.

Inhalation (Inspiration)

The process where external intercostal muscles and diaphragm contract, increasing lung volume and decreasing pressure.

Goblet cell

A cell that produces mucus to trap dust and pathogens.

Aerobic Respiration Chemical Equation

$$C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6H_2O + 6CO_2 + 36ATP$$

Anaerobic Respiration in Yeast

$$\text{Glucose} \rightarrow \text{Ethanol} + \text{Carbon dioxide} + \text{energy}$$

Oxygen debt (EPOC)

Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption; the oxygen needed post-exercise to remove lactic acid accumulation.

Coronary artery

The blood vessel that supplies the heart muscle with oxygenated blood.

Artery

A blood vessel with thick, strong walls and a narrow lumen that carries blood away from the heart at high pressure.

Vein

A blood vessel with thin walls, a wide lumen, and valves that carries blood toward the heart.

Capillary

A blood vessel with walls only one cell thick to facilitate the exchange of materials between blood and cells.

Thrombocytes

Blood components (platelets) responsible for blood clotting by converting fibrinogen to fibrin.

Phagocyte

A type of white blood cell that engulfs pathogens by phagocytosis.

Lymphocyte

A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease, such as bacteria, virus, parasite, or fungi.

Vector

An animal, like a mosquito or housefly, that transmits infectious diseases.

Malaria Pathogen

The parasite known as Plasmodium.

Antibiotics

Substances made from fungi or bacteria used to kill bacteria; they are not effective against viruses.

Superbugs

Bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics, such as MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus).

Active immunity

Long-term defense achieved when the body produces its own antibodies and memory cells via illness or vaccination.

Passive immunity

Short-term immunity where an individual receives antibodies from another source (e.g., breast milk/placenta) without making memory cells.

Agglutination

The clumping together of pathogens when antibodies bind to antigens.

Urea

A toxic waste product formed from excess amino acids and removed by the kidneys and skin.

Ultrafiltration

The process in the glomerulus where small molecules like urea, water, and glucose are forced into the Bowman's capsule.

Selective reabsorption

The process in the Loop of Henle where useful materials like glucose and amino acids are taken back into the blood.

Deamination

The breakdown of excess amino acids in the liver, converting the amine group into ammonia and then urea.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The command center consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Synapse

The junction or gap between two neurones where neurotransmitters diffuse.

Accommodation

The process by which the lens changes shape to focus on near or distant objects.

Hormone

A chemical substance produced by endocrine glands, transported in the blood to target organs.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers blood glucose by stimulating the liver to convert glucose to glycogen.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a constant internal environment using negative feedback loops.