B2 Organisation Flashcards
Active site
the site on an enzyme where the reactants bind
Amino acids
molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen that are the building blocks of proteins
Amylase
enzyme that speeds up the digestion of starch into sugars
Bile
neutralises stomach acid to give a high pH for the enzymes from the pancreas and small intestine to work well. It is
not an enzyme
Carbohydrase
enzymes that speed up the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars
Carbohydrate
molecules that contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They provide the energy for the metabolism and are
found in foods such as rice, potatoes, and bread
Catalyst
a substance that speeds up the rate of another reaction but is not used up or changed itself
Denatured
the breakdown of the molecular structure of a protein so it no longer functions
Differentiate
the process where cells become specialised for a particular function
Digestive system
organ system where food is digested and absorbed
Enzymes
biological catalysts, usually proteins
Fatty acids
part of the structure of a lipid molecule
Glycerol
part of the structure of a lipid molecule
Lipase
enzymes that speed up the breakdown of lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
Lipids
include fats and oils and are found in foods such as butter, olive oil, and crisps. They are made of carbon,
hydrogen and oxygen
Metabolism
the sum of all the reactions taking place in a cell or the body of an organism
Organ
an aggregation (collection ) of different tissues working together to carry out specific functions
Organ system
a group of organs that work together to carry out specific functions and form organisms
Proteases
enzymes that speed up the breakdown of proteins into amino acids
Proteins
molecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen and are made of long chains of amino acids. They
are used for building the cells and tissues of the body and to form enzymes
Simple sugars
small carbohydrate units, for example glucose
Tissue
a group of specialised cells with a similar structure and function
Aorta
the artery that leaves the heart from the left ventricle and carries oxygenated blood to the body
Artery
blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. They usually carry oxygenated blood and have a pulse
Atria/ Atrium
the upper chambers of the heart
Capillaries
the smallest blood vessels. They run between individual cells and have a wall that is only one cell thick
Coronary arteries
the blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle
Double circulation system
the circulation of blood from the heart to the lungs is separate from the circulation of blood from the heart to the
rest of the body
epidermal
the name given to cells that make up the epidermis or outer layer of an organism
Guard cells
surround the stomata in the leaves of plants and control their opening and closing
Haemoglobin
the red pigment that carries oxygen around the body in the red blood cells
Palisade mesophyll
the upper layer of the mesophyll tissue in plant leaves made up of closely packed cells that contain many
chloroplasts for photosynthesis
Phloem
the living transport tissue in plants that carries dissolved food (sugars) around the plant
Plasma
the clear yellow-liquid part of the blood that carries dissolved substances and blood cells around the body
Platelets
fragments of cells in the blood that play a vital role in the clotting mechanism of the blood
Pulmonary artery
the large blood vessel that takes deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs
Pulmonary vein
the large blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart
Red blood cells
biconcave cells that contain the red pigment haemoglobin and carry oxygen around the body in the blood
Spongy mesophyll
the lower layer of mesophyll tissue in plant leaves that contains some chloroplasts and many large air spaces to
give a big surface area for the exchange of gases
Statins
drugs used to lower blood cholesterol levels and improve the balance of high- to low-density lipoproteins in the
blood
Stents
a metal mesh placed in a blocked or partially blocked artery. They are used to open up the blood vessel by the
inflation of a tiny balloon
Translocation
the movement of sugars from the leaves to the rest of the plant through the phloem
Transpiration
the loss of water vapour from the leaves of plants through the stomata when they are opened to allow gas
exchange for photosynthesis. It involves evaporation from the surface of the cells and diffusion through the
stomata
Veins
blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. They usually carry deoxygenated blood and have valves to
prevent the backflow of blood
Vena Cava
the large vein that brings deoxygenated blood from the body into the heart
Ventricles
chambers of the heart that contract to force blood out of the heart
White blood cells
blood cells involved in the immune system of the body. They engulf pathogens and make antibodies and antitoxins
Xylem
the non-living transport tissue in plants that transports water from the roots to the leaves and shoots
Tumours
A mass of cells that are dividing out of control
Benign tumour
growths of abnormal cells that are contained in one area, usually within a membrane, and do not invade other
tissues
Carcinogen
agents that cause cancer or significantly increase the risk of developing cancer
Malignant tumours
invade neighbouring tissues and spread to different parts of the body in the blood where they form secondary
tumours. They are also known as cancers
Coronary heart disease
A condition caused by the narrowing of the coronary artery
Non- communicable disease
A disease which can not be spread.
