Genetics, Cellular Respiration, and Photosynthesis Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from lecture notes on genetics, cellular respiration, and photosynthesis.

Mendelian factors

Heritable factors (genes)

Character

A heritable feature that varies among individuals of the same population

Trait

A variant for a character found within a population

Carpel

Female reproductive structure of a flower

Stamen

Male reproductive structure of a flower

Cross fertilization

Transfer pollen from stamen to another flower

True breed

Plants that produce offspring of the same variety when they self-pollinate

Hybridization

Mating two contrasting, true-breeding varieties

P (parent) generation

Original plants in a genetic cross

F1 generation

First generation of offspring

F2 generation

Second generation of offspring

Allele

An alternative version of a gene

Dominant Allele

An allele that determines the appearance of an organism

Recessive Allele

An allele having no noticeable effect on an organism's appearance

Law of segregation

The process of two paired alleles segregating into different gametes during gamete formation

Punnett Square

A diagram used in the study of inheritance to show the results of random fertilization

Phenotype

Organism's appearance or observable trait

Genotype

Organism's genetic makeup

Heterozygote

Offspring receives different alleles from each parent

Homozygote

Offspring receives the same alleles from each parent

Codominance

Two dominant alleles dictate the phenotype of an organism

Incomplete dominance

F1 hybrids express phenotype between parents

Polygenic inheritance

One trait is influenced by multiple genes

Carrier

An individual that possess the recessive allele for a disorder

Recessive Disorders

Diseases are carried by a recessive trait, they have a homozygous genotype(aa)

Dominant disorder

Diseases carried by a dominant trait, homozygous or heterozygous

Sex linked gene

Found on one but not both of the sex chromosomes

Metabolism

The total of an organism's chemical reactions

Catabolic Pathway

Chemical reaction that breaks down complex reactants, energy is released as chemical bonds are broken down

Anabolic Pathway

Chemical reaction that combines reactants to form complex products

Energy

The capacity to cause change especially to perform work

Kinetic energy

The energy associated with the motion of objects

Thermal Energy

Type of kinetic energy, movement of molecule

Potential energy

The energy that matter possesses because of its location

Chemical Energy

The potential energy in molecules

Thermodynamics

The study of energy transformation that occurs in a collection of matter

1st law of thermodynamics

Energy can be transferred and transformed but it cannot be created or destroyed

2nd law of thermodynamics

As energy is transformed some energy is converted into thermal energy, it increases the entropy of the universe

Entropy

A measure of disorder or randomness

Spontaneous processes

Processes that do not need an input of energy and lead to increase in entropy(catabolism)

Nonspontaneous process

Required the input of energy to proceed, energetically not favorable(anabolism)

Exergonic Reaction

Releases energy free to the surrounding, associated with catabolic processes

Endergonic Reaction

Absorbs free energy from the surrounding, associated with anabolic processes

Energy Coupling

Cells manage energy by using energy produced in one process

ATP

Adenosine Triphosphate, it is the main energy source for cells

Hydrolysis reaction

Addition of a water molecule

Phosphorylation

Energy is used by the cell during hydrolysis process to perform work

Activation energy

The energy needed before the start of a chemical reaction

Enzyme

A molecule, usually a protein that serves as a biological catalyst to speed up a reaction

Active site

The region of an enzyme where a reactant molecules attaches

Substrate

Chemical reactant that will bind to the active site of an enzyme

Cofactor

A nonprotein molecule or ion that is required for the proper functioning of an enzyme

Coenzyme

An organic molecule serving as a cofactor

Competitive inhibitor

A substance that reduces the activity of an enzyme by entering the active site in place of a substrate

Noncompetitive inhibitor

A substance that reduces the activity of an enzyme without entering the active site

Feedback Inhibition

The end product of a metabolic pathway shuts down the pathway, prevents a cell from wasting resources

Polymer

Composed of many identical building blocks called monomers

Carbohydrates

The simplest carbohydrates are monosaccharides, it provides the body with the main fuel of cellular work and serves as raw material

Disaccharide

Formed when a dehydration reaction joins two monosaccharides, loses water molecule

Polysaccharide

The polymer form of a carbhodrate

Starch

Storage of polysaccharides of plants: glucose serves as a source of cellular energy, starch has dietary value

Glycogen

Storage form of glucose in animals

Cellulose

Major component of plant cell walls, providing strength and rigidity

Chitin

The structural polysaccharides found in exoskeleton of insects and crustaceans

Plants

Producers of chemical energy of the natural world, plants receive light from the sun, water and CO2

Consumers

Organisms that feed on other organism or their remains

Decomposers

Break down, can fuel plants, recycles chemicals within the ecosystem

Aerobic

Requires oxygen

Anaerobic

No oxygen required

Glycolysis

Split glucose into two pyruvate molecules (3-carbon each)

Pyruvate Oxidation

Pyruvate is oxidized to release remaining chemical energy, producing acetyl CoA and NADH

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

Completes glucose breakdown by oxidizing acetyl CoA

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Produces 90% of ATP during cellular respiration

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

Transfers electrons through protein complexes, ultimately to oxygen, creating a proton-motive force

Chemiosmosis

Utilizes ATP synthase to produce ATP as protons flow back into the mitochondrial matrix

Alcohol Fermentation

Converts pyruvate into ethanol and CO2, used in brewing and baking

Lactic Acid Fermentation

Converts pyruvate into lactate, used in muscles during strenuous activity

Autotrophic Nutrition

Organisms (autotrophs) that produce their own food, sustaining themselves without consuming other organisms

Heterotrophic Nutrition

Organisms (heterotrophs) that must consume plants or animals to obtain food

Light Reactions

Convert light energy into chemical energy, producing ATP and NADPH

Calvin Cycle

Uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO2 into sugar

Light Harvesting Complexes

Absorb light energy

Reaction Center Complex

Captures excited electrons

G3P

A key product of the Calvin Cycle, used to synthesize glucose and other carbohydrates