life science

Active transport

The energy-requiring movement of substances across a biological membrane against a concentration gradient

Alveolus (plural:Alveoli)

A tiny, thin-walled air sac in the mammalian lungs where external gaseous exchange occurs

Anaerobic respiration

The metabolic breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen, yielding minimal ATP and products such as lactic acid or ethanol

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary chemical energy-carrier molecules in all living cells

Calvin Cycle

The light-independent phase of photosynthesis occurring in the chloroplast stroma, here carbon dioxide is fixed into glucose

Carboxyhaemoglobin

A stable compound formed when carbon monoxide binds irreversibly to haemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport

Cellular Respiration

The metabolic process in cells that breaks down the glucose to synthesize ATP

Chloroplast

A double-membraned organelle containing chlorophyll where photosynthesis takes place

Cristae

Holdings of the inner mitochondrial membrane that provide a large surface area for oxidative phosphorylation

Diffusion

The passive movement of particles down a concentration gradient from an area of high concentration to low concentration

Emphysema

A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characterized by the breakdown and rupture of alveolar walls

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells

Gaseous Exchange

The physical diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide across a moist respiratory membrane

Glycolysis

The initial anaerobic stage of cellular respiration occurring in the cytoplasm, breaking glucose into pyruvate

Haemoglobin

An iron-containing protein in red blood cells that reversibly binds and transports oxygen

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a constant internal physiological environment despite external changes

Hypoxia

A state of oxygen deprivation at the tissue or environmental level

Kreb Cycle

A cyclic series of aerobic reactions in the mitochondrial matrix that breaks down pyruvate into carbon dioxide, hydrogen ions, and ATP

Latent TB

A tuberculosis infection where bacteria are sequestered by the immune system, causing no symptoms or infectivity

Lactic Acid

The 3-carbon organic byproduct of anaerobic fermentation in human muscle cells

Light-Dependent Phase

The initial phase of photosynthesis on thylakoid membranes where light energy splits water (photolysis) to form ATP and NADPH

Matrix

The fluid interior of a mitochondrion containg enzymes for the kreb cycle

Medulla Oblongata

The region of the human brainstem containing the respiratory centre sensitive to blood CO2/pH levels

Osmosis

The passive diffusion of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from high to low water potential

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The final stage of aerobic respiration on mitochondrial cristae, generating the majority of ATP using electrin transport chains

Oxyhaemoglobin

The compound formed when oxygen binds reversibly to haemoglobin

Photolysis

The light-driven splitting of water molecules into hydrogen ions, oxygen and electrons during photosynthesis

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants use radiant energy to synthesize organic carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water

Pleural Fluid

Friction-reducing fluid between the double pleural membranes surrounding the lungs

Respirometer

An experimental apparatus upset to measure the rate of cellular respiration by monitoring oxygen consumption

Stroma

The gel-like fluid interior of a chloroplast where the light-independent phase occurs

Thylakoid

A flattened membranous sac inside a chloroplast containing chlorophyll pigments

Tuberculosis (TB)

An infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, damaging lung tissue and alveoli

Ventilation

The mechanical movement of air into and out of the lungs (inhalation and exhalation

VO2 Max

The maximum volume of oxygen and individual can integrate and utilize during intense physical exercise