Quiz 1 Study Guide - Vocabulary Flashcards (Science, Life & the Cell, Biochemistry)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes.

Anecdote

A personal story or example used as evidence; not proof.

Expert opinion

A trained person's view; helpful but not definitive proof.

Research data

Measurements from studies used as evidence.

Observational

Study that watches and records without changing conditions.

Experimental

A study that changes one variable to test its effect; includes control and treatment groups.

Peer‑reviewed studies

Research evaluated by other scientists; stronger when many studies agree.

Control (in an experiment)

The baseline condition that is not exposed to the manipulated variable.

Variable

A factor that can be changed or measured in an experiment.

Bias

A systematic error or preference that affects results.

X-axis

Horizontal axis on a graph; often the variable being changed or time.

Y-axis

Vertical axis on a graph; what is measured or observed.

Pattern (on a graph)

A trend in data (upward, downward, or no change).

Scale

The range or size of values shown on a graph.

Units

The standard quantities used on axes (e.g., seconds, meters).

Cells

The basic unit of life; can be single or many cells.

Metabolism

All chemical processes that extract, transform, and use energy. Component of Life

Homeostasis

Maintaining internal balance (stable conditions) despite external changes. Component of Life

Growth and development

Increase in size and maturation over time. Component of Life

Reproduction

Creation of offspring or new cells. Component of Life

Response to environment

Moving toward/away from stimuli; adapting to surroundings. Component of Life

DNA

Genetic material with instructions to build and operate an organism. Component of life

Evolution

Change in populations across generations over time. Component of life.

Prokaryote

A cell with no nucleus; DNA in a nucleoid; smaller; no membrane‑bound organelles.

Eukaryote

A cell with a true nucleus; larger; contains membrane‑bound organelles.

Nucleus

Membrane‑bound organelle containing DNA; control center of the cell.

Nucleoid

Region in prokaryotes where DNA is located (not membrane‑bound).

Organelles

Membrane‑bound compartments inside eukaryotic cells with specific functions.

Membrane‑bound organelles

Organelles enclosed by membranes (present in eukaryotes, absent in prokaryotes).

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

ER with ribosomes; synthesizes and folds proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

ER without ribosomes; lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Golgi apparatus

Packages, sorts, and ships proteins and lipids.

Mitochondria

Powerhouses of the cell; produce ATP energy.

Chloroplasts

Site of photosynthesis in plants; makes sugar from light.

Lysosomes

Recycling center; breaks down waste and cellular debris.

Peroxisomes

Break down fats and detoxify harmful substances.

Vacuoles

Storage compartments; large central vacuole in plants maintains turgor.

Cytoskeleton

Frame and tracks for support and movement inside the cell. Microtubules (Transportation and Structure), Microfilaments (Movement), Intermediate Filaments (Mechanicle Support), Centrioles (Cell Divison)

Vesicles

Small membrane‑bound sacs for transport and delivery.

Plasma (cell) membrane

Smart barrier that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Phospholipid bilayer

Two layers of phospholipids with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.

Hydrophilic head

Water‑loving part of a phospholipid face toward water. (Phosphate functional Group) Polar)

Hydrophobic tail

Water‑fearing part of a phospholipid that avoids water. (2 Fatty Acid hydrocarbon chains) (Nonpolar)

Integral protein

Proteins that span the membrane and act as channels or pumps.

Peripheral protein

Proteins on the membrane surface that assist with signals or support.

Cholesterol (membrane component)

Sterol in the membrane that helps regulate fluidity.

Carbohydrates (in membranes)

ID tags on proteins/lipids used for cell recognition (glycoproteins/glycolipids).

Glycoprotein

Protein with carbohydrate chains used for cell recognition. (ID Tag in the plasma membrane)

Glycolipid

Lipid with carbohydrate chains used for cell recognition. (ID Tag in the plasma membrane)

Self‑assembly

Molecules spontaneously organize into structures like membranes.

Liposome

Spherical vesicle formed by a phospholipid bilayer.

Amphipathic

Molecule having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts.

Triglycerides

Fatty acids attached to glycerol; energy storage.

Glycerol

Backbone of triglycerides to which fatty acids attach.

Fatty acids

Long hydrocarbon chains that attach to glycerol in fats.

Saturated fats

Fats with no double bonds; typically solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated fats

Fats with one or more double bonds; typically liquid at room temperature.

Phospholipids

Similar to triglycerides but with a phosphate head; amphipathic and form membranes.

The Tail is hydrophobic, and Head is hydrophilic

Steroids

Lipids with four fused carbon rings (e.g., cholesterol, hormones).

Waxes

Long‑chain lipids that are waterproof and protective.

Membrane permeability (ion crossing)

Ions have difficulty crossing the hydrophobic core of the bilayer.

Hydroxyl

Turns Molecule into an alcohol; functional group consists of

‘O-H’

Methyl

Hydrophobic; Functional Group CH3

Carbonyl

Functional group with a double bond between carbon and oxygen

Carboxyl

Functional group with both a carbonyl + hydroxyl group, typically represented as -COOH. Can also be Ionized as COO-. And it’s acidic

Nonpolar molecules are hydrophobic

Are Nonpolar molecules hydrophobic (Don’t like water) or hydrophilic (Like Water)?

Polar molecules are hydrophilic

Are Polar molecules hydrophobic (Don’t like water) or hydrophilic (Like Water)?

Amino

Acidic functional group that contains NH2. Can be ionized for NH3+

Phosphate

OPO3Hs, acidic, can be ionized as OPO3-

Sulfhydryl

S-H; Sulfar bonded with hydrogen, Polar, Thoil group