Biology Flashcards
Explain the characteristics of a light microscope.
- Uses a beam of light to form an image.
- Can magnify objects up to 2000 times. (School ones usually only go up to 400 times.)
- Can be used to view living objects.
- Relatively cheap and easy to move around.
Explain the characteristics of an electron microscope.
- Uses a beam of electrons to form an image.
- Can magnify objects up to 2,000,000 (2 million) times.
- Cannot be used for living objects.
- Very expensive and need to be kept in special conditions.
Which type of microscopes are usually used in schools?
Light microscopes.
What does resolving power mean for a microscope?
The measure of how close 2 dots can be distinguished through a microscope on an object.
What is the equation for magnification?
Magnification = image size / object size
What is the purpose of a nucleus?
To control the cell’s activities.
What is contained in the nucleus of a cell?
Genes on chromosomes which carry instructions for making proteins.
What is the purpose of cytoplasm?
A liquid gel in which organelles are suspended, also the site of many chemical reactions.
What is the purpose of the cell membrane?
To control movement of substances into and out of the cell.
What is the purpose of the mitochondria?
Site of energy transfer for aerobic respiration.
What is the purpose of ribosomes?
Organelle where protein synthesis takes place.
What is the purpose of cell walls?
A cellulose structure to provide structure to the cell.
What is the purpose of chloroplasts?
They contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
What is the purpose of the permanent vacuole?
To contain cell sap, keeping the cell rigid and helps support the plant.
What organelles are found in animal cells?
- Nucleus
- Cytoplasm
- Cell membrane
- Mitochondria
- Ribosomes
What organelles are found in plant cells?
- Nucleus
- Cytoplasm
- Cell membrane
- Mitochondria
- Ribsomes
- Cell wall
- Chlorophyll / Chloroplast
- Permanent vacuole.
What is the difference between a eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?
Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus holding genetic material, whereas prokaryotic cells have plasmids (DNA loops) containing genetic material.
What do nerve cells do?
Carry electrical impulses around the bodies of animals.
What are the adaptations of a nerve cell?
- Dentrites to make connections to other nerve cells.
- An axon to carry the impulse from one place to another.
- Nerve endings or synapses which pass impulses to other cells by producing transmitter chemicals.
- Many mitochondria in synapses to transfer the energy needed to make transmitter chemicals.
What do muscle cells do?
They contract and relax to move around your body.
What are the adaptations of a muscle cell?
- Special proteins that slide over each other.
- Many mitochondria to transfer the energy required for chemical reactions.
- A store of glycogen which can be broken down and used in respiration to transfer energy.
What do sperm cells do?
Carry genetic information from the male parent to the female parent. (The egg.)
What are the adaptations of a sperm cell?
- Long tail (flagellum) which whips side to side to move the sperm.
- A middle section full of mitochondria to transfer energy needed by the flagellum to move.
- An acrosome to store digestive enzymes to break down the outer layers of the egg.
- A large nucleus to contain genetic information.
What do root hair cells do?
Absorb water and mineral ions in the soil.
What are the adaptations of a root hair cell?
- Large surface area for quick abosorbing.
- Large permanent vacuole to speed up movement of water through osmosis.
- Many mitochondria to transfer the energy required for active transport.
What do photosynthetic cells do?
Absorb sunlight to make food.
What are the adaptations of a photosynthetic cell?
- Chloroplasts to trap light for photosynthesis.
- Continuous layers in the leaf and outer layers of the stem.
- Large permanent vacuole to keep the cell rigid.
What do xylem cells do?
Transports water and mineral ions from the roots to the stem and leaves. It also contains xylem tissues which supports the plant.
What are the adaptations of a xylem cell?
- Long hollow tubes for water and mineral ions to move up.
- Spirals and rings of lignin to make the tubes of xylem very strong.
What does the phloem cell do?
Tissue which transports food made by photosynthesis to the rest of the plant.
What is diffusion?
Movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, along the concentration gradient.
What is osmosis?
Movement of water from a dilute to concentrated solution.
What is active transport?
Movement of particles from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration. Going against the concentration gradient.
Which one(s) require energy out of:
1) Diffusion
2) Osmosis
3) Active transport
1) No energy
2) No energy
3) Requires energy
What is the word for 2 solutions with the same concentrations?
Isotonic
What does isotonic mean?
2 solutions with the same concentration.
What is the word for a solution with higher concentration?
Hypertonic.
What does hypertonic mean?
A solution with a higher concentration.
What is the word for a solution with a lower concentration (dilute)?
Hypotonic
What does hypotonic mean?
A solution with a lower concentration.
What is turgor pressure?
When no water can enter a cell due to the pressure inside.
What is plasmolysis?
When the cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall.
What is cystic fibrosis?
When a person produces abnormally thick mucus because the active transport system in their mucus cells aren’t working properly.
Where is oxygen inhaled into?
The alveoli in the lungs.
What is the stomata in plants?
Tiny openings (pores) in plant tissues which allow gas exchange.
Where is villi found and what does it do?
It is found in the small intestine and it uses it’s large surface area to absorb food molecules.
What is mitosis?
When a cell splits into 2 identical cells.
Why is mitosis important?
It allows living organisms to grow, but also allows body repairs and replacing cells that have died.
What is the cell cycle?
The steps in the process of cell division. (Mitosis.)
What are the 3 stages of the cell cycle?
1) Cells grow and increase in mass. Near the end of the stage, they replicate their DNA to make 2 copies of each chromosome and make more sub-cellular structures such as mitochondria and ribosomes. (The longest stage.)
2) A set of chromosomes are pulled to each end of the cell and the nucleus divides. (Mitosis.)
3) The cytoplasm and cell membrane divide to form two new identical cells.
How many pairs of chromosomes do human body cells have?
23 pairs of chromosomes.
(Or 46 singular chromosomes.)
(23 come from the female parent, and 23 come from the male parent.)
How many chromosomes do egg cells and sperm cells have each?
23 chromosomes.
(They combine to form 46 chromosomes, enough for a normal body cell.)
What is cell differentiation?
When a cell changes into different types of cells to carry out functions.
(i.e. they specialise.)
What are unspecialised cells called?
Stem cells
What is a meristem?
An actively dividing plant tissue.
What is cloning?
Producing genetically identical offspring.
Why is it difficult to clone animals?
Because once cells are differentiated, they cannot become unspecialised again.
What is a zygote?
The product of an egg cell and sperm cell fusing. The zygote divides many times to form a ball of cells, known as an embryo.
Where can adult stem cells be found?
In the bone marrow.
What conditions can human stem cells be used to treat?
- Paralysis by differentiating stem cells into nerve cells.
- Macular degeneration in the eye to restore lost vision.
- Diabetes, by producing cells which are sensitive to blood sugar and can produce insulin.
What are the benefits of cloning plants?
- Rare plants can be saved from extinction.
- Large populations of plant species can be produced for research.
- Large numbers of exotic plants can be produced for sale.
- Plants can be produced with special features such as disease resistance.
Where are embryonic stem cells found?
In the inner layers of the ball of cells which forms an embryo.
Where are stem cells found in plants?
In the meristems.
What are some of the issues from stem cell production?
- Some people believe that taking stem cells from an embryo is violating its rights.
- Some people, usually in religions, believe that producing stem cells is interfering with the natural process of reproduction.
- Some people think that money is being wasted on stem cell research.
- Scientists find it difficult to ‘persuade’ stem cells to differentiate, development is slow and expensive.
- Embryonic stem cells divide rapidly and there are fears that it could cause cancer.
- Adult stem cells could transmit viruses or trigger and immune response.
What is therapeutic cloning?
The process of producing an embryo with genes which are identical to the patient, and then using embryonic stem cells for medical treatment.
What is an advantage of theraputic cloning?
The cells produced are genetically identical to the patient so they are less likely to be rejected.
What is a tissue?
A group of cells with similar structures and functions which work together to carry out a task.
Name the 4 types of tissues in animals and their function.
1) Muscular: movement.
2) Glandular: production of enzymes and hormones.
3) Epithelial: covering the outsides of organs and structures.
4) Connective: supports, protects and provides structure to other tissues and organs.
What is an organ system?
A group of organs working together to carry out a task.
(For example, the digestive system.)
What does the digestive system do?
Changing food that you eat from insoluble molecules to soluble molecules, then absorbing them into the blood.
Where is bile produced and where is it stored?
It is produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder.
What does the small intestine do?
Helps further digest food from the stomach, then absorbs nutrients through the villi.
What does the large intestine do?
Absorbs remaining water
What are some adaptations of villi?
- Very large surface area.
- Thin wall for short diffusion path.
- Good blood supply to carry food away to maintain a concentration gradient.
What are carbohydrates made of?
Units of sugar.
What are lipids?
Molecules made from 3 molecules of fatty acids linked to a molecule of glycerol.
What are proteins made of?
Long chains of amino acids.
What is an enzyme?
A biological catalyst. They speed up reactions.
What is an active site?
The area of an enzyme where substrates fit.
(Specific molecules can fit in each active site. Lock and key theory.)
What can enzymes do to substrates?
- Build large molecules from many small ones, such as building starch from glucose molecules.
- Change one molecule into another, such as converting sugars.
- Break down larger molecules into smaller ones.
What is metabolism?
The sum of all chemical reactions that take place in the body. These reactions break and/or build up molecules.
What is denaturing in enzymes?
When the temperature gets too high, the shape of the active site changes. This will slow down or completely stop an enzyme from functioning as substrates won’t be able to fit in the active site.
What is the effect of pH on an enzyme?
If the pH is too high or too low, the forces which hold together the proteins in an enzyme weaken and the enzyme changes shape. This will denature the enzyme.
What are the 3 words used to describe pH?
1) Acidic
2) Neutral
3) Alkaline
What are the 3 digestive enzymes?
1) Amylase (carbohydrase)
2) Proteases
3) Lipase
What temperature to enzymes work best at?
37°C
(Body temperature)
What pH conditions do the 3 enzymes work best at?
Protease: Acidic.
Amylase and lipase: Slightly alkaline.
What does bile do?
- Neutralises stomach acid.
- Makes the small intestine slightly alkaline.
- Emulsifies fats (breaking down fats into smaller droplets) to increase surface area.
What are the contents of blood?
- Plasma
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells
- Platelets
What does plasma do in the bloodstream?
It is the watery fluid which holds all the components of blood flow.
What do red blood cells do?
It uses haemoglobin to bind with oxygen so that it can be carried around the body.
What do white blood cells do?
They form the body’s defence system against microorganisms.
What do platelets do?
They help clot blood at the site of a wound.
What are the adaptations of a red blood cell?
- Bioconcave discs for large surface area.
- Red pigment called haemoglobin to bind with oxygen which forms oxyhaemoglobin.
What do arteries have and do?
- Carry blood away from the heart
- They have thick walls containing muscles and elastic tissues.
What are the 3 types of blood vessels?
- Arteries
- Veins
- Capillaries.
What do veins have and do?
- Carry blood towards the heart.
- Thinner walls than arteries.
- Contain valves to prevent backflow.
What do capillaries have and do?
- Carry blood through organs.
- Narrow and thin-walled.
- Allows exchange of substances with all living cells in the body.
What is a double circulatory system?
A blood transportation system with 2 parts. One carrying blood to the lungs and back to the heart to collect oxygen. And another to carry oxygenated blood to your organs and back to the heart.
What are the 4 chambers of the heart and where would they be on a diagram?
- Right atrium (top left)
- Left atrium (top right)
- Right ventricle (bottom left)
- Left ventricle (bottom right)
What does the right atrium do?
Receives deoxygenated blood from the body from the vena cava.
What does the left atrium do?
Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs from the pulmonary vein.
What does right ventricle do?
Pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary artery to the lungs.
What does the left ventricle do?
Pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta to be transported around the body.
What stops blood from flowing in the wrong direction?
Valves.
What do the coronary arteries do?
Supplies the heart muscles with oxygenated blood.
(If it is blocked, or narrowed, it will likely cause coronary heart disease.)
How do doctors open up arteries?
With a stent.
What could leaky valves potentially do?
Blood could flow in the wrong direction.
What is the beats per min of a pacemaker and where would it be located?
70 beats per min.
Located in right atrium.
What are artifical hearts used for?
- Keeping patients alive while waiting for a heart transplant.
- Allowing heart to rest as an aid to recovery.
What is a disadvantage of artificial hearts?
The patient needs drugs to prevent the blood from clotting.
What are the adaptations of alveoli?
- Large surface area
- Thin walls for short diffusion path
- Good blood supply
Where does oxygen diffuse into after the alveoli?
Capillaries in the lungs.
What is a palisade mesophyll?
A plant tissue which has many chloroplasts and can photosynthesise.
What is a spongy mesophyll?
A plant tissue with some chloroplasts, but many air spaces between cells and a large surface area for diffusion of gases.
What is translocation?
When the phloem tissue in a plant carries dissolved materials from the leaves to the rest of the plant.
What are the 2 transportation tissues in plants?
- Xylem
- Phloem
What does a guard cell do?
Controls the size of the stomata in plants, therefore, changing the rate of gas diffusion.
What is transpiration?
When water vapour diffuses out of the plant through the stomata.
What 4 factors affect rate of photosynthesis and how?
- Temperature. When temperature increases, molecules move faster, making rate of diffusion faster too.
- Humidity. The rate of diffusion of water is quicker in dry air than damp air.
- Wind. Windy conditions increase rate of evaporation and blow away water vapour, increasing concentration gradient.
- Light intensity. More light increases rate of photosynthesis.
How do plants control water loss?
- Waxy, waterproof cuticles on leaves.
- Most of the stomata are under the leaves.
- Wilting, as surface area will decrease.
- Stomata can close which can reduce water loss but also reduce rate of photosynthesis.
What is a communciable disease?
A disease which can be spread from one organism to another.
What is a non-communicable disease?
A disease which cannot be spread from one organism to another.
What factors can affect health?
- Diet
- Stress
- Living conditions
- Gender
- Financial status
- Ethnicity
- Number of people in contact with
Where do viruses live in the body?
Inside cells.
What is a pathogen?
A microorganism which can cause disease.