Biology Lecture Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes covering organelles, mitosis vs meiosis, chemical bonds, protein structures, biological organization, water properties, feedback mechanisms, tissues, central dogma, skin anatomy, and life characteristics.

Endomembrane system

A group of organelles that make, modify, package, and transport proteins and lipids.

Nucleus

The info center for the cell that contains DNA.

Nucleolus

Organelle responsible for the synthesis of ribosomal units.

Ribosomes

Organelles that make proteins.

Rough ER

Organelle with ribosomes that makes and begins processing proteins.

Smooth ER

Organelle that makes lipids, helps detoxification, and stores calcium.

Golgi apparatus

Organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.

Lysosomes

Organelles that digest wastes and worn out cells.

Vesicles

Structures that transport materials between organelles and the cell membrane.

Plasma membrane

Cellular membrane that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Peroxisome

Organelle that destroys cellular toxic waste.

Cytosol

Gel material inside the cell.

Centrioles

Microtubular structures involved in cell division.

Cytoskeleton

Structural framework of the cell.

Mitochondrion

Organelle that produces energy for the cell.

Mitosis

Cell division process used for growth, repair, and replacement; involves one cell division that produces 2 genetically identical diploid ($2n$) daughter cells.

Meiosis

Cell division process that produces gametes (sperm and egg); involves two divisions that produce 4 genetically different haploid ($n$) cells and includes crossing over.

Ionic bonds

Bonds formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another (Example: NaCl).

Covalent bonds

Bonds formed when atoms share electrons (Example: $H_2O$).

Hydrogen bonds

A weak attraction between a partially positive hydrogen and a partially negative atom, usually oxygen or nitrogen.

Primary Structure

The first level of protein structure, consisting of the sequence of amino acids.

Secondary Structure

Local folding in proteins into structures such as alpha helices and beta sheets.

Tertiary Structure

The overall 3D shape of one polypeptide chain.

Quaternary Structure

Protein structure formed when two or more polypeptide chains come together.

Polarity

Property of water having a slightly positive end and a slightly negative end.

Cohesion

Property of water where water molecules stick to each other.

Adhesion

Property of water where water sticks to other surfaces.

High specific heat

Property of water allowing it to absorb lots of heat without rapidly changing temperature.

Negative feedback

Homeostatic mechanism where the response reverses or reduces the original change (Example: sweating/shivering for body temperature).

Positive feedback

Homeostatic mechanism where the response increases or amplifies the original change (Example: oxytocin release during childbirth).

Simple squamous epithelium

Epithelial tissue layer designed for diffusion and filtration, found in air sacs of lungs.

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Epithelial tissue layer designed for secretion and absorption, found in kidney tubules.

Simple columnar epithelium

Epithelial tissue layer designed for absorption and secretion, found in the digestive tract.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Multiple layers of epithelial cells providing protection, found in skin and mouth.

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Epithelial tissue involved in secretion and movement of mucus, found in the respiratory tract.

Transitional epithelium

Epithelial tissue allowing stretching, found in the urinary bladder.

Tendon

Dense connective tissue that connects muscle to bone.

Ligament

Dense connective tissue that connects bone to bone.

Transcription

The process of transferring genetic information from DNA to RNA (DNA → RNA).

Translation

The process where an RNA sequence is used to build a protein (RNA → Protein).

Epidermis

Outer layer of skin that provides protection and contains keratin-producing cells and melanocytes.

Dermis

Layer below the epidermis containing blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands, hair follicles, and oil glands.

Hypodermis

Subcutaneous layer mostly made of fat and connective tissue that provides insulation, energy storage, and attaches skin to underlying tissues.