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Double Helix
The structure of DNA, consisting of two strands that wind around each other, forming a twisted ladder shape. This configuration is essential for DNA replication and function.
Nucleotide
The basic building block of DNA and RNA, composed of deoxyribose, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
purine
A type of nitrogenous base in nucleotides, characterized by a two-ring structure, including adenine and guanine.
pyrimidine
A type of nitrogenous base in nucleotides, characterized by a single-ring structure, including cytosine and thymine.
deoxyribose
A five-carbon sugar present in DNA.
chromosome
A structure made of DNA and protein that contains genetic information. Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and are visible during cell division.
chromatids
Identical copies of a chromosome, joined together at the centromere, formed during DNA replication.
histone
A type of protein that helps package DNA into a compact, organized structure, forming nucleosomes.
DNA replication
The process by which a cell makes an identical copy of its DNA before cell division, ensuring that each daughter cell receives the same genetic material.
replication fork
The Y-shaped region that forms during DNA replication where the DNA double helix is unwound by helicase, allowing the synthesis of new strands.
semi-conservative
A method of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand, preserving half of the parent DNA.
polymerase
An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a growing chain during DNA replication. It also goes over and checks it’s mistakes.
helicase
An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix by breaking hydrogen bonds at the replication fork, separating the two strands to allow for replication.
chromatin
The complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, playing a crucial role in gene regulation and DNA packaging.
cell cycle
The series of phases that a cell goes through as it grows and divides, including interphase and mitotic phase, ensuring proper cell division and function.
prophase
The first stage of mitosis, during which chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the spindle apparatus begins to form.
cytokenisis
The final stage of cell division, occurring after mitosis, where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in two separate daughter cells.
call plate
A structure that forms during cytokinesis in plant cells, which leads to the separation of the two daughter cells by developing a new cell wall.
cancer
A disease characterized by uncontrolled cell division, leading to the formation of tumors and the potential to spread to other parts of the body.
centromere
The region of a chromosome where two sister chromatids are joined, playing a crucial role during cell division by ensuring proper segregation.
interphase
The phase of the cell cycle in which the cell prepares for division, including DNA replication and growth, occurring between mitotic divisions.
metaphase
The stage of cell division where chromosomes align in the middle, ensuring that each daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes.
daughter cells
The two new cells that result from the division of a parent cell, each containing a complete set of chromosomes.
sister chromatids
Identical copies of a chromosome, connected by a centromere, that are created during DNA replication and separated during cell division.
anaphase
The stage of cell division where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell, ensuring that each new cell will receive the correct number of chromosomes.
mitosis
a type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells
telophase
The final stage of mitosis where the chromosomes decondense, the nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes, and the cell prepares to divide into two daughter cells.
spindle fibers
a protein structure that divides the genetic material in a cell
kidney
The kidneys remove waste and extra water from the blood (as urine). The kidneys also make hormones that help control blood pressure
dialysis
A medical procedure that removes waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.
glomerulus
a network of tiny blood vessels in nephrons that filters blood to form urine.
filtration
the process that separates waste and excess substances from the blood in the kidneys.
ureter
A tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder
nephron
Filters blood. Each nephron includes a filter, called the glomerulus, and a tubule.
urea
A waste product produced by your body when it breaks down protein. It's found in urine.
urine
Liquid waste that your kidneys filter from your blood, which gets excreted from your body. Water + Urea.
Reabsorption
The process where your kidneys take back important substances (like water and nutrients) from urine before getting rid of the waste.
Bladder
stores urine until you're ready to pee.
Bowmans Capsule
A part of the kidney that collects the initial fluid filtered from the blood.
Tubule
Tiny tubes in the kidneys that process the fluid filtered from the blood, reabsorbing good stuff and secreting waste.
Urethra
The tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body.
Antidiuretic hormone
A hormone that helps your body retain water by making your kidneys reabsorb more water from urine.
filtrate
The fluid that gets filtered out of the blood in the kidneys. It includes water, waste products, and other small molecules that will be processed to form urine.
pulmonary veins
Blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart.
pulmonary artery
Blood vessel that carries oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs.
tricuspid valve
The heart valve between the right atrium and right ventricle, preventing backflow of blood
plasma
The liquid part of blood that carries cells and nutrients
atria
The upper chambers of the heart that receive blood from the body and lungs
ventricle
The lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out to the body and lungs.
aortic valve
The heart valve between the left ventricle and the aorta, preventing backflow of blood.
SA node
The heart's natural pacemaker that controls the heartbeat.
Aorta
The main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body
Veins
Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart
septum
The wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart
paltelets
Small cell fragments in the blood that help with clotting.
AV node
Part of the heart's electrical system that helps coordinate the heartbeat.
Hemoglobin
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen
Arteries
Blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart.
mitral valve
The heart valve between the left atrium and left ventricle, preventing backflow of blood.
Capillaries
Tiny blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and tissues
Pharynx
The part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity, which helps direct food and air to the correct channels
Bronchioles
Small branches of the bronchi in the lungs that lead to the alveoli
bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, causing coughing and difficulty breathing
larynx
Also known as the voice box, it's located in the throat and is responsible for producing sound
alveoli
Tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged
asthma
A chronic condition that causes the airways to become inflamed and narrowed, making it hard to breathe
trachea
Also known as the windpipe, it's the tube that carries air from the throat to the lungs
epiglottis
A flap of tissue that closes off the windpipe during swallowing to prevent food and liquid from entering the lungs.
bronchi
The two main air passages that branch from the trachea into the lungs
bronchus
One of the two main branches from the trachea that lead to the lungs.
diaphragm
A large muscle located below the lungs that helps with breathing by contracting and relaxing to change the pressure in the chest cavity
cystic fbrosis
A genetic disorder that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system, leading to respiratory and digestive problems.
Cellular Resperation
The process by which cells convert food into energy.
Glycolysis
The first step of cellular respiration, where glucose (a type of sugar) is broken down to produce energy.
Krebs Cycle
Also called the citric acid cycle; a series of chemical reactions in cellular respiration that generate energy.
Electron transport chain
A series of proteins in cellular respiration that transfer electrons to produce energy
NADH
A molecule that carries electrons during cellular respiration to help produce energy.
NAD+
The oxidized form of NADH, which accepts electrons during cellular respiration
FADH2
A molecule similar to NADH that carries electrons during cellular respiration
FAD+
A molecule similar to NADH that carries electrons during cellular respiration
alcoholic fermentation
A process by which yeast and some bacteria convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide
Lactic acid fermentation
A process by which certain bacteria and animal cells convert sugars into lactic acid
aerobic
Processes that require oxygen to produce energy.
anaerobic
Processes that do not require energy to produce energy
ATP
(Adenosine Triphosphate): The main energy currency of cells, used to power various biological processes
pyruvic acid
A product of glycolysis, which is further used in cellular respiration to generate energy
autotroph
An organism that can produce its own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals (like plants)
heterotroph
An organism that cannot produce its own food and must consume other organisms for energy (like animals and humans)
photosynthesis
The process by which plants and other autotrophs convert light energy into chemical energy (sugars) using water and carbon dioxide
chloroplasts
Organelles in plant cells where photosynthesis takes place
chlorophyll
The green pigment in plants that captures light energy for photosynthesis
pigment
A substance that gives color to cells and tissues by absorbing certain wavelengths of light
stroma
The fluid-filled space surrounding the thylakoids in chloroplasts where the Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions) takes place
NADPH
A molecule that carries electrons and provides energy for the Calvin cycle in photosynthesi
Light dependent reaction
The first stage of photosynthesis, where light energy is converted into chemical energy (ATP and NADPH)
Calvin cycle
The second stage of photosynthesis, where ATP and NADPH are used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose (sugar)
Stomata
Small openings on the surface of leaves that allow gases (such as carbon dioxide and oxygen) to exchange between the plant and the environment
thylakoid
Membrane-bound structures within chloroplasts where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur
eukaryotic
Cells with a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes (like animal and plant cells)
prokaryotic
Cells without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles (like bacteria)
