Biology Lecture: Metabolism, Cellular Respiration, and Cell Biology Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the lecture notes, including bioenergetics, cellular respiration, nutrition, cell structures, molecular transport, and scientific principles.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

The cell's main source of energy, composed of an adenine base, a ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups.

Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)

A molecule containing two phosphate groups, formed when ATP expends energy by losing one phosphate group.

Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP)

A molecule containing only one phosphate group.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions that happen within the body.

Anabolism

The metabolic process of assembling small molecules into larger ones, requiring ATP.

Catabolism

The metabolic process of breaking down large molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy without requiring ATP.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.

Active Site

The specific region on an enzyme where a substrate binds in a lock-and-key manner.

Cellular Respiration

The three-stage metabolic process that converts energy stored in glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) and oxygen ($O_2$) into ATP, carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), and water ($H_2O$).

Glycolysis

The first stage of cellular respiration, occurring in the cytoplasm outside the mitochondria, which breaks down glucose.

Citric Acid Cycle

The second stage of cellular respiration, occurring inside the mitochondria, which continues breaking down reactants derived from glucose.

Electron Transport Chain

The final stage of cellular respiration, occurring in the inner membrane of the mitochondria, which yields the most ATP.

Fermentation

An anaerobic cellular process that produces a small amount of ATP and lactate when oxygen availability is limited.

NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis)

Energy expended during everyday movement and activities outside of structured workout sessions, such as walking, taking stairs, or fidgeting.

NOVA Classification

A system that categorizes foods into four groups based on the extent and purpose of food processing.

Ultra-Processed Foods

Group 4 foods containing mostly processed ingredients and additives like sugars, salts, and fats, such as sodas, chips, and packaged meals.

Type 1 Diabetes

An irreversible condition in which the immune system destroys insulin-producing pancreatic cells, resulting in little or no insulin production.

Type 2 Diabetes

A manageable and reversible condition characterized by insulin resistance, where cells fail to respond effectively to insulin.

Hypothesis

A testable and falsifiable explanation for a phenomenon that can be supported or rejected through experimental testing.

Scientific Theory

A well-supported explanation of an aspect of the natural world that has been repeatedly tested and not disproven.

Peer-Reviewed Scientific Journal

A highly reliable scientific source where studies are evaluated and validated by expert peers before publication.

Independent Variable

The specific factor or condition that a scientist intentionally changes or manipulates in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The outcome or factor being measured in an experiment to evaluate the effect of the independent variable.

Anecdotal Evidence

Information derived from personal stories or individual experiences that lacks scientific testing and validation.

Pseudoscience

Claims or beliefs presented as scientific but lacking empirical evidence and testability.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment within an organism.

Protons

Positively charged subatomic particles located inside the atomic nucleus.

Neutrons

Neutrally charged subatomic particles located inside the atomic nucleus.

Electrons

Negatively charged subatomic particles located in electron shells orbiting the atomic nucleus.

Innermost Electron Shell

The first energy level around an atomic nucleus, which can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction between molecules or polar regions of molecules.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid chain containing one or more double bonds between carbon atoms.

Saturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid chain containing only single bonds between carbon atoms.

Hydrophilic

Water-attracting or water-loving, such as the phosphate head of a phospholipid.

Hydrophobic

Water-repelling or water-fearing, such as the fatty acid tails of a phospholipid.

Cohesion

The attraction between water molecules causing them to stick to other water molecules.

Adhesion

The attraction causing water molecules to stick to other non-water surfaces.

pH Scale

A scale from 0 to 14 measuring acidity and basicity; 7 is neutral, values below 7 are acidic, and values above 7 are basic or alkaline.

Prokaryotic Cell

A cell that lacks internal membrane-bound organelles and a true nucleus.

Eukaryotic Cell

A cell containing internal membrane-bound organelles and a distinct nucleus.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle studded with ribosomes that is responsible for synthesizing proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle lacking ribosomes that is responsible for synthesizing lipids.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that processes, packages, and ships proteins within or out of the cell.

Osmosis

The passive transport of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane toward an area of higher solute concentration.

Diffusion

The passive movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Isotonic Solution

A solution where solute concentration is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in balanced water movement.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher solute concentration outside the cell, causing water to leave the cell.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower solute concentration outside the cell, causing water to enter the cell.

Composite Cell

A general model of a cell consisting of three primary parts: the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus.

Placebo

An inactive or fake treatment administered to a control group during an experiment.