Biology Flashcards
Concentration gradient
Difference in concentration between 2 regions
Diffusion
net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration
down a concentration gradient
Osmosis
net movement of water molecules from a solution of higher water potential to a solution of lower water potential through a partially permeable membrane
Active transport
process in which energy is used to move the particles of a substance across a membrane against its concentration gradient, that is from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration
Carbohydrates
organic molecules made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms are present in the ratio 2:1
Condensation reaction
Chemical reaction in which 2 simple molecules are joined together to form a larger molecule with the removal of 1 molecule of water
Hydrolysis
reaction in which a water molecule is needed to break up a complex molecule into smaller molecules
fats
organic molecules made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen but with much less oxygen in proportion to hydrogen compared to carbohydrates
Proteins
organic molecules made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. sulfur may also be present
Catalyst
substance which can alter or speed up a chemical reaction, without itself being chemically changed at the end of the reaction
enzymes
proteins that function as biological catalysts
denaturation
change in the 3D structure of an enzyme or any other soluble protein, caused by heat or chemicals such as acids or alkalis
nutrition
process by which organisms obtain food and energy for growth, repair and maintenance of the body
peristalsis
rhythmic wave-like muscular contractions in the wall of the alimentary canal
digestion
process whereby large food molecules are broken down into smaller, soluble molecules that can be absorbed into the body cells
absorption
process whereby digested food substances are absorbed into the body cells
assimilation
process whereby some of the absorbed food substances are converted into new protoplasm or used to provide energy
photosynthesis
process in which light energy absorbed by chlorophyll is transformed into chemical energy. the chemical energy is used to synthesise carbohydrates from water and carbon dioxide. water and carbon dioxide are raw materials for photosynthesis. oxygen is released during the process
phagocytosis
process of engulfing or ingesting foreign particles such as bacteria by the white blood cells
transpiration
loss of water vapour from a plant, mainly through the stomata of the leaves
respiration
breakdown (oxidation) of food substances with the release of energy in living cells
aerobic respiration
breakdown of food substances in the presence of oxygen with the release of a large amount of energy. carbon dioxide and water are released as waste products.
anaerobic respiration
breakdown of food substances in the absence of oxygen. releases less energy than aerobic respiration
gas exchange
exchange of gases between an organism and the environment
excretion
process by which metabolic waste products and toxic substances are removed from the body of an organism
osmoregulation
control of water and solute concentrations in the blood to maintain a constant water potential in the body
homeostasis
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment through self-regulatory corrective mechanisms
reflex action
immediate response to a specific stimulus without conscious control
reflex arc
shortest pathway by which nerve impulses travel from the receptor to the effector in a reflex action