Biochemistry and Human Biology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on the provided lecture notes.

Protein

Enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions.

Fat

Energy storage.

Carbohydrates

Primary source of energy.

Nucleic Acid

Stores and transmits genetic material.

Water

Universal solvent.

Salt

Maintains osmotic balance.

Minerals

It serves as a structural component (e.g., calcium in bones).

Glucose

Broken down by cellular respiration to produce ATP.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

Synthesizes proteins.

Golgi Bodies

Modify, sorts, and packages proteins.

Chromosomes

Contain instructions and hold genetic information.

Exocytosis

Fuse with membranes to release substances from outside the cell.

Endocytosis

Cell membrane forms vesicles to engulf substances from outside the cell.

Intercellular Transport

Transport molecules between organelles within the cell.

Selective Membrane (Cell Membrane)

Controls what enters and exits the cell.

Cell Membrane

Protects the cell from exterior forces.

Cell Membrane

Provides structural support.

Higher Temperature

Increase the rate of diffusion.

Steeper Concentration Gradient

Increases the rate of diffusion.

Smaller Molecules

Diffuse faster than larger molecules.

More Permeable Membranes

Allow faster diffusion.

Lower Temperature

Diffusion and osmosis would be much slower.

TRNA (Transfer RNA)

Transports specific amino acids to the ribosome to be added to the growing polypeptide chain.

RRNA (Ribosomal RNA)

Forms part of the ribosome structure and catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids.

MRNA (Messenger RNA)

Carries the genetic code from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome in the cytoplasm, providing the template for protein synthesis.

Mutagen

An environmental agent that can cause mutations in DNA.

Transcription

The process of creating an mRNA copy of a gene's DNA sequence.

Translation

The process where the mRNA sequence is decoded by the ribosome to assemble a polypeptide chain.

Recombinant DNA

DNA created by combining genetic material from different sources.

Amylase and Trypsin

Digestive enzymes produced by two different glands that act on the same substrate.

Time X on a Reaction Rate Graph

Point where the enzyme active sites became saturated with the substrate.

Small Intestine

Specialized for digestion and absorption due to its large surface area with villi and microvilli.

Bile Salts

Emulsifies fats.

Lipases

Digest fats into fatty acids and monoglycerides.

Chylomicrons

Transport triglycerides into lymphatic vessels.

Amylase

Digests starch into sugars.

Lipase

Digests fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

Trypsin

Digests proteins into smaller peptides.

Bicarbonate

Neutralizes acidic chyme from the stomach.

Depolarization

Influx of Na⁺ ions into the neuron, making the inside more positive.

Repolarization

Outflow of K⁺ ions from the neuron, restoring the negative charge inside.

Refractory Phase

Period after an action potential when the neuron is less able to fire another impulse.

Resting Period

The neuron is polarized, with a negative charge inside relative to the outside.

Calcium Ions (Ca²⁺) Influx

Synaptic vesicles fuse with the presynaptic membrane, releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Fate of Neurotransmitters after Release

Broken down by enzymes, reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron (reuptake), or diffuses away from the synapse.

Division of Autonomic Nervous System (Fight or Flight)

Sympathetic nervous system.

Hormone (Fight or Flight)

Adrenaline (epinephrine).

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

Located in the Right Atrium.

Carotid Arteries

Supply blood to the brain.

Lymph Veins

Return lymph fluid to the bloodstream.

Antibodies

Recognize and neutralize foreign pathogens.

Chordae Tendineae

Prevent the AV valves from inverting during ventricular contraction.

Foramen Ovale

A hole between the right and left atria, allowing blood to bypass the fetal lungs.

Ductus Arteriosus

A blood vessel connecting the pulmonary artery to the aorta, also bypassing the fetal lungs.

Arterial End of Capillary

Fluid moves out of the capillary due to higher hydrostatic pressure.

Venous End of Capillary

Fluid moves into the capillary due to higher osmotic pressure.

Nutrients and Oxygen

Moves from the tissue fluid into the cells, while waste products and carbon dioxide are moving from the cells into the tissue fluid.

Structure of Alveoli

Large surface area, thin walls, moist environment, and lots of capillaries.

Diaphragm

Increases the volume of the chest cavity by contracting and flattening.

Medulla Oblongata

Holds the respiratory system and controls the rate and depth of breathing.

Upper Respiratory Tract

Nasal cavity contains hair which filters and secretes mucus.

Increase in Carbon Dioxide Concentration

Stimulates the medulla oblongata, which increases the breathing rate and breathing depth to expel excess CO2.

Exhalation

When the diaphragm and the rib muscles relax, decreasing chest cavity volume and increasing the lung pressure.

Internal Respiration

Gas exchange between the blood and body cells.

Actively Secreted Substances

Hydrogen ions (H⁺) and ammonia (NH₃).

Carrier Proteins

Facilitate the transport of specific substances across the tubular epithelium during reabsorption.

Sodium Bicarbonate in Excretory System

Acts as a buffer to maintain blood pH by neutralizing excess acids in the filtrate.

Aldosterone

A hormone that increases sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to increased water reabsorption and blood volume.

Hormones in Phase 1 (Follicular Phase)

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Estrogen.

Hormones in Phase 2 (Luteal Phase)

Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Progesterone and Estrogen

Ovulation

A surge in LH levels triggers ovulation.

Head of Sperm

Contains the nucleus with the sperm's DNA and the acrosome.

Acrosome

Structure filled with enzymes that help the sperm penetrate the egg.

Midpiece of Sperm

Packed with mitochondria, which produce the energy (ATP) needed for the sperm to move and swim towards the egg.

Tail (Flagellum)

Propels the sperm forward through a fluid medium, enabling it to reach the egg.

Testosterone

Promotes the development of male secondary sexual characteristics.

FSH (in females)

Stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in females.

LH (in females)

Triggers ovulation in females.

Estrogen

Supports the development of female secondary sexual characteristics.

Progesterone

Prepares the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg.

Oxytocin

Stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth.

Ovaries

Produce eggs (ova) and hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Uterus

Provides a site for implantation of a fertilized egg and supports fetal development during pregnancy.

Fallopian Tubes

Transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus and are the usual site of fertilization.

Vagina

Birth cavity