Biological Processes and Cell Structures Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the seven characteristics of life, cell structure, movement across membranes, biological molecules, enzyme action, and human nutrition.

Movement

One of the seven characteristics of life; an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place.

Respiration

The chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism.

Sensitivity

The ability to detect or sense changes in the environment (stimuli) and to make appropriate responses.

Growth

A permanent increase in size and dry mass by an increase in cell number or cell size or both.

Reproduction

The processes that make more of the same kind of organism.

Excretion

Removal from organisms of the waste products of metabolism, toxic materials, and substances in excess of requirements.

Nutrition

Taking in of materials for energy, growth, and development.

Cell Wall

A structure found in plant and bacterial cells that provides support; animal cells do not have this structure.

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant cells, specifically in the palisade mesophyll, where photosynthesis occurs.

Vacuole

A storage space in cells; plant cells have large, permanent vacuoles while animal cells do not.

Bacterial Cell Structures

Consist of a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, circular DNA, and plasmids.

Tissue

A group of cells with similar structures, working together to perform a shared function.

Organ

A structure made up of a group of tissues, working together to perform specific functions.

Organ System

A group of organs with related functions, working together to perform body functions.

Magnification Formula

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Diffusion

The passive net movement of particles from a region of their higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration.

Osmosis

The net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential (dilute solution) to a region of lower water potential (concentrated solution), through a partially permeable membrane.

Active Transport

The movement of particles across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, against a concentration gradient, using energy from respiration.

Turgid

A term used to describe plant cells that are swollen due to high water potential.

Plasmolysis

The process where the cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall due to water loss in a concentrated solution.

Iodine solution

Used to test for the presence of starch.

Benedict's solution

Used to test for the presence of reducing sugars.

Biuret test

Used to test for the presence of proteins.

Ethanol emulsion test

Used to test for the presence of fats and oils.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as biological catalysts and control the rate of metabolic reactions.

Physical Digestion

The breakdown of food into smaller pieces without chemical change to the food molecules, increasing the surface area for enzyme action.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of large insoluble molecules into small soluble molecules so that they can be absorbed.

Ingestion

The taking of food and drink into the body through the mouth.

Absorption

The movement of nutrients from the intestines into the blood.

Assimilation

The uptake and use of nutrients by cells.

Egestion

The removal of undigested food from the body as faeces.

Amylase

A digestive enzyme that breaks down starch into simple reducing sugars.

Protease

A digestive enzyme that breaks down protein into amino acids.

Lipase

A digestive enzyme that breaks down fats and oils into fatty acids and glycerol.