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Bio Definitions Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

protoplasm

A

all the living parts of a cell

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2
Q

ultrastructure

A

the detail of a structure as seen by using an electron microscope

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3
Q

chromatin

A

the name given to chromosomes when they are elongated and not dividing

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4
Q

prokaryotic cells

A

do not have a nucleus or membrane enclosed organelles

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5
Q

eukaryotic cells

A

have a nucleus and cell organelles, all of which are enclosed by membranes

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6
Q

tissue

A

a group of similar cells that are modified to carry out the same function

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7
Q

tissue culture

A

the growth of cells in or on a sterile nutrient medium outside an organism

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8
Q

organ system

A

consists of a number of organs working together to carry out one or more functions

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9
Q

cell continuity

A

means that all cells develop from pre-existing cells

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10
Q

chromosomes

A

coiled threads of DNA(which forms genes) and protein that become visible in the nucleus at cell divison

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11
Q

gene

A

a section of DNA that controls the production of a particular protein

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12
Q

haploid cell

A

has one set of chromosomes, ie it has only one of each type of chromosome in the nucleus

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13
Q

diploid cell

A

has two sets of chromosomes, ie has two of each type of chromosome in the nucleus

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14
Q

cell cycle

A

the changes that take place in a cell during the period between one cell division and the next

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15
Q

interphase

A

the phase in the cell cycle when the cell is not dividing

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16
Q

mitosis

A

a form of nuclear division in which one nuclei divides to form two nuclei, each containing the same number of chromosomes with identical genes

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17
Q

cancer

A

a group of disorders in which certain cells lose their ability to control both the rate of mitosis and the number of times mitosis takes place

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18
Q

meiosis

A

a form of nuclear division in which the four daughter nuclei contain half the chromosome number of the parent nucleus

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19
Q

centromere

A

the point at which the chromosomes are attached in a double-stranded chromosome

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20
Q

selectively permeable membrane

A

allows some but not all molecules to pass through

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21
Q

diffusion

A

the spreading out of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration

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22
Q

osmosis

A

the movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration

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23
Q

turgor or turgor pressure

A

the outward pressure of the cytoplasm or vacuole against the cell wall of a plant

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24
Q

catalyst

A

a substance that speeds up a reaction without itself being used up in the reaction

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25
Q

solar energy

A

energy from the sun

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26
Q

cellular energy

A

energy stored in the bonds of biomolecules

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27
Q

denatured enzyme

A

has lost its shape and can no longer function

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28
Q

bioprocessing

A

the use of enzyme-controlled reactions to make a product

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29
Q

bioreactor

A

a vessel or container in which living cells or their product are used to make a product

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30
Q

immobilized enzymes

A

enzymes that are attached or fixed to one another or to an inert material

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31
Q

pharynx

A

throat

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32
Q

larynx

A

voicebox

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33
Q

inhalation

A

breathing in

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34
Q

exhalation

A

breathing out

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35
Q

Ectotherms

A

Gain or lose heat from their external environment

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36
Q

Endotherms

A

generate their own heat from metabolic reactions

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37
Q

piloerection

A

when erector muscles contract forming goosebumps. this causes the hairs to stand up on your skin

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38
Q

vasoconstriction

A

when we are cold, blood vessels in our face contract. this reduces heat loss through the skin

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39
Q

glomerular filtrate

A

dilute solution of waste products such as glucose, amino acids, vitamins , hormones,salts, water and urea that are forced out of the blood plasma and stored in the bowmans capsule

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40
Q

filtration

A

means that water and small molecules pass (under high pressure) from the blood into the nephron

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41
Q

reabsorption

A

means that molecules pass from the nephron back into the blood

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42
Q

active transport

A

means that energy (in the form of ATP ) is used to move molecules often against concentration gradient i.e from areas of low concentration to areas of high concentraton

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43
Q

secretion

A

some substances pass from the blood into the nephron

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44
Q

gonad

A

an organ that produces sex cells in animals

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45
Q

semen

A

fluid containing sperm and seminal fluid

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46
Q

puberty

A

the beginning of sexual maturity

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47
Q

secondary sexual charachteristics

A

those features that distinguish males from females, apart from the sex organs themselves

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48
Q

infertility

A

the inability to produce offspring

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49
Q

ovulation

A

the release of an egg from the ovary

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50
Q

oviduct

A

collective term for the fallopian tubes and the funnel

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51
Q

menstrual cycle

A

a series of events that occurs on average, every 28 days in the female if fertilisation has not taken place

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52
Q

menopause

A

when ovulation and menstruation stop happening in a female

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53
Q

menstruation

A

the discharge of the lining of the uterus (the endometrium and the unfertilized egg)

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54
Q

copulation

A

the act of sexual intercourse

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55
Q

orgasm

A

the physical and emotional sensations experienced at the peak of sexual excitement

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56
Q

ejaculation

A

the release of semen from the penis

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57
Q

insemination

A

the release of semen into the vagina, just outside the cervix

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58
Q

chemotaxis

A

if ovulation has occured and an egg is present, it releases a chemical that attracts the sperm

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59
Q

fertilisation

A

occurs when the nucleus of the sperm fuses with the nucleus of an egg, forming a diploid zygote

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60
Q

implantation

A

the embedding of the fertilised egg into the lining of the uterus

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61
Q

in vitro fertilisation

A

involves removing eggs from an ovary and fertilising them outside the body

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62
Q

morula

A

solid ball of cells formed from a zygote by mitosis

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63
Q

blastocyst

A

a hollow ball of cells formed from a morula

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64
Q

germ layers

A

basic layers of cells in the blastocyst from which all adult tissues and organs will form

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65
Q

gestation

A

the length of time spent in the uterus from fertilization until birth

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66
Q

lactation

A

the secretion of milk by the mammary glands of the female

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67
Q

birth control

A

refers to the methods taken to limit the number of children that are born

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68
Q

contraception

A

refers to the deliberate prevention of fertilization or pregnancy

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69
Q

prolactin

A

stimulates milk production

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70
Q

biology

A

the study of living things

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71
Q

the scientific method

A

a process of investigation in which problems are identified and their suggested explanations are tested by carrying out experiments

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72
Q

observation

A

when something is noticed

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73
Q

hypothesis

A

an educated guess based on observations

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74
Q

experiment

A

designed to test a hypothesis

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75
Q

data

A

consists of the measurements, observations or information gathered from experiments

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76
Q

conclusion

A

a summary of the results of an experiment

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77
Q

theory

A

a hypothesis that has been supported by many different experiments

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78
Q

principle or law

A

arises from a theory that has been shown to be fully valid when tested over a long period of time

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79
Q

experiment

A

a test for a hypothesis

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80
Q

variable

A

a factor that may change in an experiment

81
Q

control

A

used to provide a comparison, or standard against which the actual experiment can be judged

82
Q

replicate

A

a repeat of an experiment

83
Q

double-blind

A

means both the investigator and the participant are unaware of the nature of the treatment the participant is receiving

84
Q

ethics

A

relate to whether conduct is right or wrong

85
Q

science

A

the study of the physical, material and living world

86
Q

organism

A

a living thing

87
Q

metabolism

A

sum of all the chemical reactions in an organism

88
Q

continuity of life

A

means that living things arise from other living things of the same kind

89
Q

life

A

is defined as the possession of all the following charachteristics;
organisation, nutrition, excretion, reproduction,response

90
Q

excretion

A

the removal of waste products of metabolism from the body

91
Q

response

A

the way in which all living things react to their environment

92
Q

biomolecules

A

chemicals made inside a living thing

93
Q

phospholipids

A

fat like substances in which one of the fatty acids has been replaced by a phosphate group, or has had a phosphate group added to it

94
Q

anabolic reactions

A

use energy to convert smaller molecules into larger molecules

95
Q

catabolic reactions

A

release energy when a complex molecule is broken down into a simpler form

96
Q

ecology

A

the study of the interactions between living things, and the interactions between living things and their environments

97
Q

biosphere

A

the part of the planet containing living organisims

98
Q

ecosystem

A

a group of clearly distinguished organisms that interact with their environment as a unit

99
Q

habitat

A

the place where a plant or animal lives

100
Q

population

A

all the members of the same species living in an area

101
Q

community

A

all the different populations in an area

102
Q

abiotic factors

A

none-living factors

103
Q

biotic factors

A

living factors

104
Q

climatic factors

A

refer to weather over a long period of time

105
Q

edaphic factors

A

relate to soil

106
Q

producers

A

organisms that carry out photosynthesis

107
Q

flora

A

all the plants in an ecosystem

108
Q

consumers

A

organisms that take food from other organisms

109
Q

fauna

A

all the animals in an ecosystem

110
Q

decomposers

A

organisms that feed on dead organic matter

111
Q

detritus feeders

A

organisms that feed on small pieces of dead organic matter

112
Q

food chain

A

a grazing food chain is a sequence of organisms in which each one is eaten by the next one in the chain

113
Q

trophic level

A

feeding stage in a food chain

114
Q

food web

A

consists of two or more interlinked food chains

115
Q

pyramid of numbers

A

represents the number of organisms at each trophic level in a food chain

116
Q

niche

A

the functional role an organism plays in its community

117
Q

nutrient recycling

A

the way in which elements such as carbon and nitrogen are exchanged between the living and none living components of an ecosystem

118
Q

nitrogen fixation

A

the conversion of nitrogen gas into ammonia, ammonium or nitrate

119
Q

nitrogen fixation

A

the conversion of ammonia and ammonium compounds into nitrites and then nitrates

120
Q

denitrification

A

the conversion of nitrates to nitrogen gas

121
Q

pollution

A

any harmful addition to the environment

122
Q

pollutants

A

harmful additions to the environment

123
Q

conservation

A

the wise management of the existing natural recourses in an ecosystem in order to maintain a wide range of habitats and prevent the extinction of organisms

124
Q

competition

A

occurs when organisms actively struggle for a resource that is in short supply

125
Q

intra specific competition

A

takes place between members of the same species

126
Q

inter specific competition

A

takes place between members of different species

127
Q

contest competition

A

in contest competition there is active physical contest between two organisms

128
Q

scramble competition

A

in scramble competition all the competing individuals get some of the recourse

129
Q

predation

A

the catching,killing and eating of another organism

130
Q

predator

A

an organism that catches kills and eats another organism

131
Q

prey

A

organism that is eaten by the predator

132
Q

parasitism

A

occurs when two organisms of different species live in close association and one organism (the parasite) obtains its food from , and to the disadvantage of, the second organism (the host)

133
Q

symbiosis

A

occurs when two organisms live, and have to live in close association to one another and at least one benefits

134
Q

catalyst

A

a substance that speeds up a reaction , whithout it itself being used up in the reaction

135
Q

enzymes

A

proteins that are used to speed up a reaction without it itself being used up in the reaction

136
Q

solar energy

A

energy from the sun

137
Q

cellular energy

A

energy stored in the bonds of biomolecules

138
Q

substrate

A

the substance which an enzyme acts on

139
Q

product

A

the substance an enzyme forms

140
Q

denatured enzyme

A

has lost its shape and can no longer function

141
Q

bioprocessing

A

the use of enzyme controlled reactions to make a product

142
Q

bioreactor

A

a vessel or container in which living cells or their products are used to make a product

143
Q

immobilised enzymes

A

enzymes that are attached or fixed to each other or to an inert material

144
Q

photolysis

A

the splitting of water by light

145
Q

aerobic respiration

A

the controlled release of energy from food using oxygen

146
Q

anaerobic repiration

A

the controlled release of energy from food without using oxygen

147
Q

fermentation

A

another name for anaerobic respiration

148
Q

biotechnology

A

the use of living things or their components to make a useful product

149
Q

glycolysis

A

the conversion of two molecules of glucose into pyruvic acid

150
Q

plasma

A

the liquid part of the blood

151
Q

serum

A

plasma without the clotting proteins

152
Q

open circulatory system

A

means that blood leaves blood vessels and flows freely around the animal’s body before entering blood vessels again

153
Q

closed circulatory system

A

blood remains in a continuous system of blood vessels

154
Q

blood pressure

A

the force the blood exerts against the wall of a blood vessel

155
Q

valves

A

control the direction of blood flow

156
Q

portal system

A

a blood path that begins and ends in capillaries

157
Q

pulse

A

the alternate expansion and contraction of the arteries

158
Q

diastole

A

when the heart chambers relax

159
Q

systole

A

when the heart chambers contract

160
Q

pulse

A

the alternate expansion and contraction of the arteries

161
Q

herbivores

A

animals that feed mainly on plants

162
Q

carnivores

A

animals that feed mainly on animals

163
Q

omnivores

A

animals that feed on plants and animals

164
Q

digestion

A

the physical and chemical breakdown of food

165
Q

peristalsis

A

a wave of muscular action in the walls of the alimentary canal to move the contents along

166
Q

balanced diet

A

consists of all the necessary food types in the correct proportions

167
Q

homeostasis

A

the ability of an organism to maintain a constant internal environment

168
Q

heredity

A

the passing on of features from parents to offspring by means of genes

169
Q

gene

A

a section of DNA that causes the production of a particular protein

170
Q

gene expression

A

the way in which genetic information in a gene is decoded in the cell and used to make a protein

171
Q

characteristics

A

traits or features that are inherited genetically

172
Q

the genetic code

A

the sequence of bases in DNA that provide the instruction for a cell (using RNA) to form a protein.

173
Q

triplet/codon

A

a sequence of three bases in DNA (or RNA) that act as a code for an amino acid

174
Q

DNA profile

A

(also called a DNA or a genetic fingerprint) is a method of making a unique pattern of bands from the DNA of a person, which can then be compared with the DNA profile of another person

175
Q

forensic medicine

A

the way in which medical knowledge is used in legal situations

176
Q

genetic screening

A

testing the DNA for the presence or absence of a particular gene or an altered gene

177
Q

transcription

A

the copying of a sequence of genetic bases fro DNA onto messenger RNA

178
Q

translation

A

the conversion of a sequence of genetic bases on messenger RNA into a sequence of amino acids.

179
Q

anticodon

A

a sequence of three bases (a triplet) on tRNA that are complementary to a sequence of three bases on mRNA

180
Q

gametes

A

haploid cells capable of fusion

181
Q

fertilisation

A

the union of two gametes to form a single haploid cell called a zygote

182
Q

dominant

A

the allele that prevents the recessive allele from being expressed

183
Q

recessive

A

the allele is prevented from being expressed by the dominant allele

184
Q

locus

A

the locus of a gene is its position on a chromosome

185
Q

genotype

A

the genetic makeup of an organism ie the genes that are present

186
Q

phenotype

A

the physical makeup of an organism

187
Q

progeny

A

refers to all offspring that are produced

188
Q

homozygous

A

means that two alleles are identical

189
Q

heterozygous

A

means that two alleles are different

190
Q

a punnett square

A

used to show the ratio of genotypes in the progeny of a genetic cross

191
Q

incomplete dominance

A

means that neither allele is dominant or recessive with respect to the other
both alleles are equally expressed in the heterozygous genotype to produce an intermediate phenotype

192
Q

pedigree

A

a diagram showing the genetic history of a group of related individuals

193
Q

the law of segregation (Mendel’s first law)

A

characteristics are controlled by pairs of alleles which separate (or segregate) at gamete formation with only one from each pair being found in each gamete

194
Q

monohybrid cross

A

involves the study of one charachteristic

195
Q

dihybrid cross

A

involves the study of two charachteristics

196
Q

the law of independant assortement

A

when gametes are formed, either of a pair of alleles are equally likely to combine with either of another pair of alleles

197
Q

linkage

A

genes are located on the same chromosome

198
Q

sex linkage

A

means that a charachteristic is controlled by a gene located on a sex (or X) chromosome

199
Q

axial skeleton

A

consists of the skull, spine, ribs and sternum

Biology (17 decks)

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