biology vce terms

What is an Independent Variable?

The variable that is changed by the scientist.

What is a Dependent Variable?

The variable that is measured.

What are Controlled Variables?

Variables kept the same to ensure a fair test.

What is a Control Group?

The group that does not receive the treatment and is used for comparison.

What does Beneficence mean in ethical concepts?

Maximise benefits.

What does Non-maleficence mean?

Do no harm.

What does Integrity mean?

Honesty and accuracy.

What does Justice refer to?

Fairness.

What does Respect mean?

Respect privacy and dignity.

What are Prokaryotic Cells?

Cells with no nucleus and no membrane-bound organelles, smaller in size, such as bacteria.

What are Eukaryotic Cells?

Cells with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, larger in size, such as plants and animals.

What is a Plant Cell?

Type of eukaryotic cell with a cell wall, chloroplasts, large vacuole, and a fixed shape.

What is an Animal Cell?

Type of eukaryotic cell with no cell wall, no chloroplasts, small vacuoles, and a flexible shape.

What is the Nucleus?

The organelle that contains DNA and controls cell activities.

What is a Mitochondria?

The site of cellular respiration.

What is a Chloroplast?

The site of photosynthesis.

What are Ribosomes?

The organelles responsible for protein synthesis.

What is a Vacuole?

An organelle that stores water and materials.

What is the Cell Membrane?

The structure that controls movement in and out of the cell.

What is the structure of the Plasma Membrane?

Made of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

What is Diffusion?

Movement from high concentration to low concentration.

What is Facilitated Diffusion?

Movement through protein channels from high to low concentration.

What is Osmosis?

Movement of water across a partially permeable membrane from high water concentration to low water concentration.

What is Active Transport?

Movement from low concentration to high concentration using ATP.

What is Surface Area : Volume Ratio?

Small cells have a larger SA:V ratio, which allows for more efficient exchange of materials.

What is Binary Fission?

A method used by prokaryotes for cell division involving DNA replication, cell growth, and splitting into two identical cells.

What is Mitosis?

A process used by eukaryotic cells for growth and repair that produces 2 genetically identical daughter cells.

What are the stages of Mitosis?

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis.

What is Apoptosis?

Programmed cell death that removes damaged or unnecessary cells.

What does Xylem do?

Transports water and minerals from roots to leaves.

What does Phloem do?

Transports sugars around the plant.

What is Transpiration?

Loss of water vapour from leaves through stomata.

What is Translocation?

Movement of sugars through the phloem.

What is Mechanical Digestion?

Physical breakdown of food, for example, chewing.

What is Chemical Digestion?

The process where enzymes break down large molecules into smaller ones.

What is the Small Intestine?

The main site of nutrient absorption.

What is the Large Intestine?

The part of the digestive system that absorbs water.

What are the functions of the Kidney?

Filters blood, removes wastes, and regulates water levels.

What are the structures of a Nephron?

Bowman’s capsule, Glomerulus, Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), Loop of Henle, Distal convoluted tubule (DCT), Collecting duct.

What is Filtration in the kidney?

The process that occurs in the glomerulus.

What is Reabsorption?

The process where useful substances return to the blood.

What is Homeostasis?

The maintenance of a stable internal environment.

What is Negative Feedback?

A process that involves detecting a change, receptor responding, control centre reacting, and effector reversing the change.

What happens when the body is Too Hot?

Sweating and vasodilation occur.

What happens when the body is Too Cold?

Shivering and vasoconstriction occur.

What happens at High Blood Glucose levels?

The pancreas releases insulin, which increases glucose uptake by cells and converts glucose to glycogen.

What happens at Low Blood Glucose levels?

The pancreas releases glucagon, which converts glycogen to glucose.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

An autoimmune disease where the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin production.

What is Photosynthesis equation?

$$6CO_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$$

What is Cellular Respiration equation?

$$C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + ATP$$