Biology Concepts Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts related to human biology including the heart, blood vessels, cell division, and photosynthesis.

Pacemaker

A group of cells in the walls of the right atrium that create electrical impulses to stimulate the heart to contract.

Artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart, characterized by thick walls and a thin lumen to withstand high pressure.

Capillary

A small blood vessel with walls one cell thick, allowing for the fast diffusion of substances between blood and cells.

Vein

A blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart, featuring thin walls and a wide lumen, with valves to prevent backflow.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that produces two genetically identical diploid cells for growth and repair.

Haploid

A cell that contains only one set of chromosomes (23 in humans), such as gametes (eggs and sperm).

Diploid

A cell that contains two sets of chromosomes (46 in total in humans), as found in somatic cells.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces four genetically unique haploid cells (gametes) through two divisions.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen using sunlight, represented by the equation: 6H₂O + 6CO₂ → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.

Limiting factors in photosynthesis

Factors that can restrict the rate of photosynthesis, including light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and temperature.

Glucose usage in plants

Glucose is used for respiration, making starch and fats for energy storage, making cellulose, and producing amino acids for proteins.