Biological Transport Systems Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering plant transport (xylem, phloem, transpiration, translocation) and animal circulatory systems (heart anatomy, blood vessel types, and blood components) based on the lecture transcript.

Xylem

A plant transport tissue made of dead cells joined end to end, with no end walls and lignified walls, that carries water and mineral ions upward from roots to leaves.

Phloem

A plant transport tissue made of living cells (sieve tube elements and companion cells) that moves sucrose and amino acids in both directions around the plant.

Lignin

A waterproof substance that strengthens the walls of xylem vessels to stop them from collapsing and provides support to keep the stem upright.

Companion cells

Cells located next to sieve tube elements in the phloem that provide the energy required for transport.

Root hair cells

Cells with long thin extensions that provide a huge surface area for the fast absorption of water via osmosis and mineral ions via active transport.

Osmosis

The movement of water molecules from a higher water potential to a lower water potential through a partially permeable membrane.

Active transport

The movement of substances from a lower concentration to a higher concentration using energy (ATP) from respiration.

Transpiration

The loss of water vapour from leaves through the stomata.

Cohesion

The property of water molecules sticking together, helping to pull the water column upward through the xylem.

Adhesion

The property of water molecules sticking to the walls of the xylem vessels.

Potometer

An apparatus used to measure water uptake in plants to estimate the rate of transpiration.

Translocation

The movement of sucrose and amino acids in the phloem from a source to a sink.

Source

The part of a plant where sugar is made or released, such as the leaves.

Sink

The part of a plant where sugar is used for respiration or growth, or stored, such as roots, fruits, or flowers.

Double circulation

A circulatory system, such as in humans, where blood passes through the heart twice for every complete circuit of the body.

Pulmonary circulation

The part of the circulatory system that moves blood between the heart and the lungs for gas exchange.

Systemic circulation

The part of the circulatory system that move blood between the heart and the rest of the body to deliver oxygen.

Atria

The two upper chambers of the heart (singular: atrium) that receive blood from the body or lungs.

Ventricles

The two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out to the lungs or the rest of the body.

Coronary arteries

The blood vessels that supply the heart muscle itself with oxygen; blockage of these can lead to a heart attack.

Arteries

Thick-walled, elastic blood vessels with a narrow lumen that carry blood away from the heart at high pressure.

Veins

Thin-walled blood vessels with a large lumen and valves that carry blood to the heart at low pressure.

Capillaries

Tiny, one-cell thick blood vessels that form a huge network in tissues to allow for the diffusion of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes.

Plasma

The liquid part of the blood that carries nutrients, hormones, antibodies, urea, $CO_2$, and heat.

Haemoglobin

The iron-containing protein found in biconcave red blood cells that functions to carry oxygen.

Phagocytosis

The process by which certain white blood cells (phagocytes) engulf and digest pathogens.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells that defend the body by producing specific antibodies.

Platelets

Cell fragments that trigger blood clotting to stop blood loss and prevent pathogens from entering a cut.

Fibrin

A protein that forms a mesh to trap blood cells, resulting in the formation of a clot or scab.

Percentage Increase Formula

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Percentage Decrease Formula

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