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Biology > AS - Keywords > Flashcards

AS - Keywords Flashcards

1
Q

Resolution

A

the ability to be able to distinguish between two objects which are close together.

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2
Q

Magnification

A

the degree to which the size of an image is larger than the object itself.

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3
Q

Staining

A

the process which helps reveal or distinguish different features.

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4
Q

Cytoskeleton

A

the network of protein fibres found within cells that give structure and shape to the cell.

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5
Q

Organelle

A

a particular structure of a cell which has a specialised/specific function.

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6
Q

Phospholipid Bilayer

A

the basic structural components of plasma / cell surface membranes, consisting of two layers of phospholipid.

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7
Q

Fluid Mosaic Model

A

model of cell surface / plasma membrane structure.

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8
Q

Cell signalling

A

cells communicate with one another by signals e.g. hormones to help them work together
and coordinate their actions.

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9
Q

Diffusion

A

the net movement of molecules from a region of high concentration of that molecule to a region of lower concentration of that molecule down a concentration gradient. This is a passive process.

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10
Q

Facilitated Diffusion

A

the net movement of molecules from a region of high concentration of that molecule to a region of lower concentration of that molecule down a concentration gradient through carrier proteins (large molecules) or channel proteins (ions). This is a passive process.

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11
Q

Active transport

A

is the movement of molecules or ions across a membrane from a region of low concentration to a region of higher concentration of that molecule, against the concentration gradient. This process uses ATP to drive the protein ‘pumps’ within the membrane.

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12
Q

Osmosis

A

the net movement of water molecules from a region of high water potential to an area of lower water potential, down the water potential gradient across a partially permeable membrane. This is a passive process.

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13
Q

Solute

A

a solid that dissolves in a liquid.

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14
Q

Solvent

A

a liquid that dissolves solids.

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15
Q

Solution

A

a liquid containing dissolved solids.

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16
Q

Cell cycle

A

describes the events that take place as one parent cell divides to produce two new daughter cells which then each grow to full size.

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17
Q

Mitosis

A

the process of nuclear division where two genetically identical nuclei are formed from one parent cell nucleus.

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18
Q

Clones

A

genetically identical cells or organisms derived from one parent.

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19
Q

Differentiation

A

the changes occurring in cells of a multicellular organism so that each different type of cell
becomes specialised to perform a specific function.

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20
Q

Tissue

A

a group of similar, specialised cells of more than one type working together to perform a common specific function.

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21
Q

Organ

A

a collection of tissues that work together to carry out a common specific function.

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22
Q

Stem cells

A

cells that are not differentiated and are capable of mitosis and differentiation to become other
cell types.

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23
Q

Metabolism

A

is the sum total of all the biochemical reactions taking place in the cells of an organism.

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24
Q

Polysaccharides

A

are polymers of monosaccharides. They consist of hundreds or thousands of monosaccharide monomers bonded together to form a single large molecule.

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25
Hydrolysis
breaking a bond with the addition of a water molecule.
26
Condensation
forming a bond with the removal of a water molecule.
27
Primary structure
sequence or order of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
28
Secondary structure
the coiling or folding of the polypeptide into an alpha helix or beta pleated sheet held together with hydrogen bonds between amino acids.
29
Tertiary structure
the final 3D shape of the protein. The shape is held in place with hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds between oppositely charged R groups, disulphide bridges and hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions.
30
Quaternary structure
made up of more than one polypeptide chain joined together to make the final functional protein.
31
Lipids
substances that dissolve in organic solvents like alcohol but not water.
32
Saturated fatty acids
fatty acids with no double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain.
33
Unsaturated fatty acids
fatty acids with at least one double bond in the hydrocarbon chain.
34
Triglyceride
3 fatty acids joined to a glycerol molecule with 3 ester bonds.
35
Nucleotides
monomers of nucleic acids. Made of a phosphate group, pentose sugar and a nitrogenous base.
36
Gene
a length of DNA that codes for a specific protein.
37
Enzyme
biological catalysts which reduce the activation energy required for a reaction to take place. They are protein molecules.
38
Activation Energy
the required amount of energy for a chemical reaction to take place.
39
Active Site
a region on the surface of an enzyme molecule where a substrate can bind and where the reaction takes place.
40
Enzyme specificity
one enzyme’s active site is complementary in shape to only one substrate molecule.
41
Catalyst
a molecule which speeds up a chemical reaction but remains unchanged and is not used up in the reaction.
42
Extracellular
chemical reactions taking place outside of the cell.
43
Intracellular
chemical Reactions taking place inside of the cell.
44
Denaturation
when the active site of an enzyme changes shape due to the breaking of bonds, losing its tertiary structure and complementary shape to the substrate.
45
Exchange surface
specialised area adapted to make it easier for molecules to cross from one side of the surface to the other.
46
Gaseous exchange
the movement of gases by diffusion between an organism and its environment across a barrier e.g. the alveoli.
47
Tissue
a group of similar, specialised cells working together to perform a common function.
48
Tidal volume
volume of air moved in and out of the lungs with each breath at rest.
49
Vital capacity
largest volume of air that can be moved in and out of the lungs in one breath.
50
Residual volume
volume of air that always remains in the lungs even after biggest possible exhalation.
51
Inspiratory reserve volume
the volume of air that can be breathed in above the normal tidal volume.
52
Expiratory reserve volume
the volume of air that can be breathed out above the normal tidal volume.
53
Transport
the movement of oxygen, nutrients, hormones, waste and heat around the body.
54
Open circulatory system
blood does not always remain in vessels.
55
Closed circulatory system
the blood always remains in vessels.
56
Single circulatory system
blood passes through the heart once for each circuit of the body.
57
Double circulatory system
blood flows twice through the heart for one circuit of the body. Contains a pulmonary circuit and a systemic circuit.
58
Cardiac cycle
the sequence of events in one heartbeat.
59
Myogenic
muscle tissue that generates its own contractions.
60
Fibrillation
the chambers of the heart contracting out of rhythm.
61
Endothelium
A tissues that lines the inside of a structure e.g. a blood vessel.
62
Partial pressure
the amount of pressure exerted by a gas relative to the total pressure exerted by all the gases in the mixture.
63
Dissociation
the breakdown of a molecule into 2 molecules (oxyhaemoglobin into oxygen and haemoglobin).
64
Bohr effect (Bohr shift)
change in shape of the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve when carbon dioxide is present. Carbon dioxide causes oxyhaemoglobin to release more readily.
65
Transpiration
the loss of water by evaporation out of a leaf via the stomata.
66
Xerophyte
a plant that is adapted to reduce water loss by transpiration so that it can survive in very dry conditions.
67
Translocation
the transport of assimilates between the sources and sinks of a plant in the phloem tissue. This requires energy.
68
Source
where sucrose and other assimilates are loaded into the phloem e.g. leaf.
69
Sink
where sucrose and other assimilates are unloaded from the phloem e.g. flower.
70
Assimilates
carbon containing compounds produced by a plant using the carbon from carbon dioxide.
71
Disease
a departure from good health cause by a malfunction of the mind or body which causes physical, mental or social symptoms.
72
Pathogens
organisms that cause disease.
73
Parasites
are organisms that live in or on another living thing (host), causing it harm.
74
Transmission
the way in which a pathogen or parasite travels from one host to another.
75
Vector
an organism which carries a pathogen from one host to another.
76
Immune response
the specific response to antigens on the cell surface membrane of a pathogen. It involves lymphocytes and the production of antibodies.
77
Primary defences
prevent pathogens from entering body.
78
Secondary defences
attempt to kill pathogens after they have entered the body.
79
Non specific
digest a range of pathogens.
80
Antigens
protein/glycoprotein found on the cell surface membrane of cells. Foreign antigens stimulate an immune response
81
Antibodies
proteins which identify and neutralise antigens. Each antibodies is specific to a particular antigen due to the complementary shapes of the antigen and variable region of the antibody.
82
Vaccination
a deliberate exposure to antigenic material which activates the immune system, to make an immune response and provide immunity.
83
Natural immunity
gained in the normal course of living.
84
Artificial immunity
is gained by an injection which is a deliberate exposure to antibodies or antigens.
85
Passive immunity
acquired without the activation of the lymphocytes - provided by antibodies that have not been made by the person's own immune system.
86
Active immunity
acquired by the activation of the person's own immune system.
87
Biodiversity
the range of habitats, the number of different species and the genetic diversity within a species within an area. It takes into account species richness and species evenness.
88
Species richness
number of different species in the habitat.
89
Species evenness
relative numbers of how many individuals in each species.
90
Habitat
the place where an organism lives.
91
Species
a group of organisms similar in appearance, physiology and genetics whose members are able to interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
92
Classification
process of sorting living things into groups of similar organisms. It reflects how closely related they are and evolutionary relationships.
93
Taxonomy
the study of the principles behind classification - the study of the differences between species (physical and genetic).
94
Phylogeny
the study of the evolutionary relationships between organisms, the study of how closely related they are.
95
Variation
differences within a species or between different species.
96
Adaptation
a feature that enhances survival and long-term reproductive success.
97
Natural selection
'selection' by the environment of individuals that show certain favourable variations. These individuals will survive to reproduce and pass on their variations to the next generation.
98
Evolution
the gradual change in the characteristics of a species over many generations. Driven by selective pressures and natural selection.
99
Speciation
the formation of a new species from a pre-existing one.
100
Selective pressure
an external factor that drives evolution in a particular direction. It might cause competition between individuals or cause some organisms to die whilst others survive.
101
Extinct
no members of a species remain and it ceases to exist.
102
Critically endangered
likely to become extinct as the species numbers have become low due to man made or natural changes in the environment
103
Conservation
maintaining biodiversity between species, genetic diversity within species and a variety of habitats and ecosystems.
104
Conservation in situ
conserving a species in its natural environment.
105
Conservation ex situ
conserving an endangered species by activities that take place outside its normal environment.

Biology (24 decks)

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