Bio Key Words and definitions

Question 1

tetrad

Answer 1

term for a group of 4 sister chromatids (inside in the homologous chromosome pair)

Question 2

bivalent

Answer 2

the pair of the 2 homologous chromosomes.

Question 3

homologous chromosomes

Answer 3

2 chromosomes that are matching, in terms of structure and contain the same types of genes in the same location.

Question 4

chiasmata

Answer 4

where the 2 homologous chromosomes overlap, and is the point of breakage during meiosis.

Question 5

recombinant chromosomes

Answer 5

formed when large sections of the DNA double helix move from one chromosome to another, increasing genetic diversity.
- formed in prophase 1

Question 6

Synaptonemal Complex

Answer 6

the tripartite proteinacious structure, that forms between the homologous chromosomes, serving as a scaffold, holdin them in place and ensuring accurate crossing over.

Question 7

olfactory nerve

Answer 7

the nerve that sends impulses to the brain regarding how something smells.

Question 8

Hemopoiesis / hematopoiesis / hematogenesis / hemogenesis

Answer 8

the process of making new blood cells, in the bone marrow

Question 9

hematopoietic stem cells

Answer 9

an immature cell that can develop into all types of blood cells.

Question 10

erythropoiesis

Answer 10

the process of erythrocytes production

Question 11

erythrocytes

Answer 11

Red Blood cells

Question 12

leukocytes

Answer 12

type of bood cellsm that defend against pathgoens, made in the bone marrow and found in the blood and lymph tissue.

Question 13

Megakaryocytes

Answer 13

a large bone marrow cell, with a lobed nucleus, that fragements into platlets / thrombocytes

Question 13

Leukopoiesis

Answer 13

the process of producing leukocytes, which is stimulated by certain messenger molecules.

Question 13

hemostasis

Answer 13

the mechanism that stops bleeding, through vascular spams, platlet plug formation and coaguation.

Question 13

thrombocytes

Answer 13

platelets

Question 13

agglutinogens

Answer 13

like antigens - proteins produced by foreign cells or genetic material.

Question 14

sinusoid

Answer 14

a specialised capillary with large spaces in the cappillary wall, allowing blood cells and proteins to be exchanged between the blood and tissues.

Question 14

fribrinolysis

Answer 14

the degradation of the fibrin network of a blood clot.

Question 15

agglutinins

Answer 15

they are antibodies, produced by the body as part of an immune response.
they cause agglutination or the clumping of the antigens.

Question 16

Rh factors

Answer 16

inheited proteins that are found on the surface of RBCs. when finding blood groups, Rh factors state if someone is either positive or negative.

• if protein present = +ve blood type
• if lacks Rh = -ve blood type

Question 17

Keratinocytes

Answer 17

a majour cell types of the epidermis, the outermost layers of the skin

Question 18

desmosomes

Answer 18

specialised adhesive protein complexes, that localise intercellular junctions and are responsible for maintaining the mechanical integrity of tissues.

Question 19

defensins

Answer 19

cysteine-rich cationic proteins, for direct antimicrobial activity, or immune signalling activities or both.

Question 20

the complement system

Answer 20

made up of distinctive plasma proteins, that take part in opsonisation, chemotaxis, cell lysis, and agglutination (clumping)

Question 21

chemotaxis in terms of immunity

Answer 21

process of attracting macrophages and neutrophiles, as a response of signalling molecules.

Question 22

Phosphofructokinse

Answer 22

the allosteric enzyme that catalyses the phosphorylation of fructose-6-phosphate using ATP = fructose-1,6-diphosphate in glycolysis.

Question 23

exergonic reaction (vs. exothermic)

Answer 23

a spontaneous reaction, that release energy from the system to the surroundings. unlike exothermic, which has nothing to do with spontaneity.

Question 24

pyruvate dehydrogenase

Answer 24

the enzyme that catalyses the cnversion of pyruvate to acetyl-coenzyme A, in the links reaction.

Question 25

obligate anaerobes

Answer 25

organisms that can only survive in oxygen free environemts, cos O2 is toxic for them.

Question 26

Facultative anaerobes

Answer 26

orgs that prefer O2 rich environments, but can also survive without O2.

Question 27

obligate aerobes

Answer 27

orgs that can only survive with oxygen. they can take part in anearobic respiration, but cannot survive on it.

Question 28

HLA complex - Human Leukocyte antigens

Answer 28

they are genes in majour histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) that help code for proteins that differentate between self and non-self.

Question 29

Histocompatibilty test

Answer 29

aka the HLA test, done to determine the compatibiltiy between a donor and a recipient for transplantation purposes.

Question 30

Centrosomes and centrioles

Answer 30

cetrosomes are found in the cell and are made up of 2 cetrioles, or microtubule rings. function - chromatid seperation in cell division.

Question 31

condensin proteins

Answer 31

the chromatin coils and condenses with condensin protiens, to form visible chromosomes in prophase.

Question 32

cohesin proteins

Answer 32

they glue replicated sister chromatids together until they are split as anaphase.

Question 33

phagocytosis

Answer 33

type of endocytosis that involves large, particulate substances

Question 34

pinocytosis

Answer 34

endocytosis of substances dissolved in extracellular fluid.

Question 35

peroxisomes

Answer 35

an organelle that - 1. breaks down org, material into H2O2 and then H2O2 -> H20 + O2 2. Involved in the lipid synthesis, like cholesterol and phospholipids that are found in the heart and brain tissue. 3. prevents kidney stones from forming.

Question 36

zona pellucida

Answer 36

the protective (glycoprotein) membrane surrounding the egg, that the sperm recognises and binds to.

Question 37

chordate phylum

Answer 37

a feuture resulting from the notochord to define into the notochrod.

Question 38

Apoptosis

Answer 38

Programmed cell death, controlled and organsised, involving important mediators called caspases. crucial in development, tissue homeostasis, and elimination of damaged cells.

Question 39

Necrosis

Answer 39

uncontrolled cell death - form injury infection or disease.

Question 40

caspases

Answer 40

they are cysteine proteases, involved in apoptosis.

Question 41

autolysis

Answer 41

self digestion of cells after death

Question 42

rigor mortis

Answer 42

postmortem stiffening of muscles cos of the depletion of ATP.

Question 43

corpus luteum

Answer 43

a yellow secreting hormone, that sectretes eastrogen and progesterone. - the hormone is formed at the ovary where an ovum has been released during ovultation.

Question 44

gestational period

Answer 44

time between conception and birth, fertilisation occurs at week 2 of the gestation period.

Question 45

Sertoli cells

Answer 45

Somatic cells, where spermatids develop around in it of the tubules of the testi

Question 46

Genetic code redundancy (degenerate)

Answer 46

when amino acids are specified by more than one mRNA codon.

Question 47

non-overlapping genetic code

Answer 47

triplets or codons are read in a sequence and are seperate from each other. - bases arent shared amongst each other.

Question 48

universal genetic code

Answer 48

the same bases code for the same amino acids for all living organisms.

Question 49

which chromosome X or Y carries more genes

Answer 49

X is a larger chromosome, so most genes are only carried on X = X-linked genes.

Question 50

Calcified tissues

Answer 50

refers to the hardening of tissues due to the buildup of calcium deposits. - some calcifications are harmless but others can indicate underlying conditions.