BIO 1314 Comprehensive Final Study Guide

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering structural organization, chemistry, cell biology, genetics, histology, and the nervous/muscular systems as outlined in the BIO 1314 Study Guide.

Negative Feedback System

A homeostatic control mechanism that reverses a change in a controlled condition to maintain stability.

Positive Feedback System

A mechanism that strengthens or reinforces a change in one of the body's controlled conditions, such as labor contractions.

Inductive Reasoning

A type of logic in which generalizations are based on a large number of specific observations.

Hypothesis

A testable and falsifiable explanation formulated as a starting point for scientific investigation.

Peer Review

The process by which scientific results are evaluated by experts in the same field before being published.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed by the loss of one or more electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed by the gain of one or more electrons.

pH Scale

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, ranging from 0 to 14 BASED on the concentration of hydrogen ions.

Antioxidant

A molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules, often neutralizing free radicals.

High Heat of Vaporization

The property of water requiring a large amount of heat to transform from liquid to gas, facilitating evaporative cooling in the body.

High Specific Heat

The property of water that allows it to absorb or release large amounts of heat with only a slight change in its own temperature.

Universal Solvent

A descriptive term for water due to its ability to dissolve a wide variety of polar and ionic solutes.

Buffers

Chemical substances that resist changes in $pH$ by accepting or donating hydrogen ions.

Golgi Complex

The organelle responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

Mitochondrion

The 'powerhouse' of the cell where aerobic cellular respiration occurs to produce $ATP$.

Phagocytosis

A form of endocytosis known as 'cell eating,' where a cell engulfs large particles or microorganisms.

Osmosis

The net movement of a solvent (primarily water) through a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower concentration of solutes than the cell, causing the cell to gain water and potentially lyse.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher concentration of solutes than the cell, causing the cell to lose water and crenate.

DNA Polymerase

The enzyme responsible for assembling new DNA strands by adding nucleotides during replication.

Transcription

The synthesis of $mRNA$ from a DNA template occurring within the nucleus.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on $mRNA$ that codes for a specific amino acid.

Anticodon

A triplet of nucleotides on $tRNA$ that is complementary to a codon on $mRNA$.

Interphase

The period of the cell cycle between divisions, consisting of $G_1$, $S$, and $G_2$ phases.

Mitosis

The process of nuclear division that results in two daughter cells with the same chromosome complement as the parent cell.

Homozygous

Possessing two identical alleles for a particular gene.

Heterozygous

Possessing two different alleles for a particular gene.

Phenotype

The observable physical or functional traits of an individual, determined by genetic and environmental factors.

Mutation

A permanent change in the nucleotide sequence of the genome of an organism.

Stratum Basale

The deepest layer of the epidermis, composed of single row of cuboidal or columnar keratinocytes that undergo cell division.

Melanocytes

Cells in the stratum basale that produce the pigment melanin to protect against $UV$ radiation.

Osteocyte

A mature bone cell that maintains the daily metabolism of bone tissue.

Osteoclast

A large, multinuclear cell that resorbs bone matrix as part of bone remodeling and calcium homeostasis.

Calcitonin

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that decreases blood calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclasts.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone that increases blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclast activity and increasing renal calcium reabsorption.

Nodes of Ranvier

Periodic gaps in the myelin sheath of an axon where action potentials are regenerated via saltatory conduction.

Synapse

The junction where a nerve impulse is transmitted from a presynaptic neuron to a postsynaptic cell.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger released from synaptic vesicles into the synaptic cleft to transmit signals.

Meninges

The three protective layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Sympathetic Division

The branch of the Autonomic Nervous System associated with 'fight or flight' responses.

Parasympathetic Division

The branch of the Autonomic Nervous System associated with 'rest and digest' activities.

Fovea Centralis

A small depression in the center of the macula lutea of the retina that contains only cones and provides the highest visual acuity.

Organ of Corti

The spiral organ within the cochlea that contains hair cells responsible for converting sound waves into nerve impulses.

Sarcomere

The basic functional unit of a myofibril, extending between two Z lines.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

The neurotransmitter released at the neuromuscular junction ($NMJ$) to trigger muscle contraction.

Tetany

A condition of sustained muscle contraction without relaxation, which can be complete or incomplete.