Biology 5090 Topics 1-15 Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards based on Biology 5090 lecture notes, covering Topics 1 through 15.

Ribosome

The site of protein synthesis within a cell.

Mitochondria

Structures that provide energy to the cell by aerobic respiration.

Cytoplasm

The site within a cell where chemical reactions take place.

Nucleus

The organelle that controls cell activities.

Cell membrane

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

Chloroplast

Organelle containing chlorophyll to absorb light energy for photosynthesis.

Cell wall

A structure that provides structure and protection to the plant cell.

Sap vacuole

A structure that contains cell sap to maintain cell shape.

Plasmid

A structure in a bacterial cell that contains double-strained DNA.

Circular DNA

The genetic material of the bacteria.

Ciliated cell

A specialized animal cell containing cilia to move mucus.

Nerve cell (neurone)

A specialized cell that carries impulses throughout the body.

Sperm cell

The male sex cell for reproduction.

Egg cell

The female sex cell for reproduction.

Red blood cell

A specialized cell that carries oxygen.

Root hair cell

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

Xylem vessel

A structure that transports water in plants and provides support via lignin.

Palisade mesophyll cell

A leaf cell that contains chloroplasts for photosynthesis.

Magnification

A measure of how many times bigger the image of a specimen is compared to the actual size, calculated as $\text{Magnification} = \frac{\text{size of image}}{\text{size of real object}}$.

Species

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

Dichotomous key

A tool used to identify plant and animal species and eliminate options.

Fungi

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

Protoctist

Mostly unicellular organisms with a complex cell structure and nucleus.

Prokaryote

Unicellular organisms with a simple cell structure and no nucleus.

Arachnids

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

Insects

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

Angiosperms

Flowering plants that reproduce by flowers and seeds, divided into Monocots and Dicots.

Virus

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

Diffusion

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

Osmosis

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

Hypotonic Solution

A dilute solution with a high water concentration, such as pure water.

Hypertonic Solution

A concentrated solution with a low water concentration, such as sugar or salt solution.

Active transport

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

Carbohydrates

Biological molecules composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen ($CHO$) with glucose as the smaller molecule.

Proteins

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

Nucleic Acids

Biological molecules composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus with nucleotides as the smaller molecule.

Benedict Test

A food test for reducing sugar where a positive result is the formation of an orange to red brick color after heating at $65^\circ\text{C}$.

Active site

The part of an enzyme where the substrate enters and binds, having a shape complementary to the substrate.

Denatured

The state of an enzyme after the optimum temperature where it changes shape, preventing the formation of enzyme-substrate complexes.

Photosynthesis (PHS)

The process defined by the equation: $6CO_2 + 6H_{2}O \rightarrow C_{6}H_{12}O_{6} + 6O_2$.

Waxy cuticle

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

Stomata

Openings in the leaf where gas exchange takes place, allowing $CO_2$ to diffuse in and $O_2$ to diffuse out.

Guard cell

Cells that control the opening and closing of the stomata and contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis.

Transpiration

The removal of water vapour through stomata.

Translocation

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

Scurvy

A deficiency disease caused by lack of Vitamin C, resulting in bleeding and swollen gums.

Rickets

A deficiency disease caused by lack of Vitamin D or Calcium, resulting in soft and deformed bones.

Anaemia

A condition caused by Iron deficiency, characterized by fatigue and breathlessness due to low haemoglobin.

Peristalsis

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

Bile juice

A substance produced by the liver containing bile salts to emulsify fats and hydrogencarbonate ions to neutralize acidic chyme.

Villus

Small structures in the ileum that absorb glucose and amino acids into blood capillaries and fatty acids and glycerol into the lacteal.

Aerobic Respiration

The complete breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen, releasing a large amount of energy ($36\,ATP$).

Anaerobic Respiration

The incomplete breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen, producing lactic acid in humans or ethanol and $CO_2$ in yeast.

Oxygen debt (EPOC)

The amount of oxygen required after vigorous exercise to convert accumulated lactic acid into carbon dioxide and water.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

A condition where the coronary artery becomes blocked by plaque, potentially leading to angina or a heart attack.

Artery

A thick-walled blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart at high pressure.

Vein

A thin-walled blood vessel with valves that carries blood to the heart at the lowest pressure.

Capillary

The narrowest blood vessel, one cell thick, that supplies cells with requirements and takes away waste products.

Thrombocytes (Platelets)

Blood components responsible for 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, such as the Female Anopheles mosquito, that transmits infectious diseases.

Antibiotics

Substances made from fungi or bacteria used only to kill bacteria.

Superbugs (MRSA)

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

Active Immunity

Immunity where the body produces its own antibodies and memory cells, providing long-term defense.

Passive Immunity

Short-term immunity obtained when an individual receives antibodies from another individual, such as through colostrum.

Agglutination

The process where antibodies bind to antigens causing pathogens to clump together.

Excretion

The process of removing toxic materials and waste products from the body.

Ultrafiltration

A process in the glomerulus where small molecules like urea, water, glucose, and salts pass into the Bowman's capsule while large molecules remain.

Selective reabsorption

The process in the nephron tubule where useful materials like glucose and amino acids are taken back into the blood capillary.

Deamination

The process in the liver where the amine group of excess amino acids is converted into urea.

Synapse

The junction or gap between two neurones where neurotransmitters transmit impulses.

Accommodation

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

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a constant internal environment.

Hormones

Chemical substances produced by endocrine glands and transported in the blood to target organs.

Phototropism

A plant's growth response to light, controlled by the hormone auxin.

Gravitropism (Geotropism)

A plant's growth response to gravity, where roots show positive response and shoots show negative response.