Biology Semester 1 Flashcards
What is an organelle?
Parts of the cell that perform specific functions.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
a membrane network that can be smooth or rough due to ribosomes. Trasports materials between organells (smooth ER = lipids ; rough ER = proteins)
Nucleus
stores most of the genetic material (DNA) and is the control centre of the cell and regulates its activity.
Chloroplast
Contained in plant cells, it is the site of photosynthesis, where the light energy from the sun is converted into glucose.
Vacuole
A membrane-bound organelle used as a storage sac storing and getting rid of waste products and toxins, nutrients, regulating the pH of the cytoplasm and cell, and maintaining osmotic balance (equilibrium of salt and water concentration).
Cell wall
An external layer of protection providing support and mechanical strength and prevents excessive water uptake.
Mitochondria
Organelles responsible for producing energy (main energy source: ATP) for the cell by converting glucose and oxygen to ATP.
Cellular respiration
The breaking down of glucose to produce ATP with chemical reactions.
ATP
Adenosine phosphate - chemical compound providing energy.
Golgi Apparatus
helps process and package proteins and lipid molecules.
Lipids
Fatty, waxy or oil compounds soluble in organic solvents and insoluble in polar solvents such as water.
Enzymes
Proteins that start and accelerate chemical reactions. For example, protease enzymes break down other proteins.
Active site
Empty region or cavity in the enzyme used to bind the substrates with the enzyme.
Substrate
Substances that help enzymes create chemical reaction.
Activation energy
The minimum energy to trigger a chemical reaction, enzymes accelerate this.
Catalyst
Substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.
Anabolic
Supports Synthesis of complex molecules in living organisms from simpler ones together with the storage of energy, also known as constructive metabolism.
How does pH affect Enzymes?
It factors into its ability to bind to a substrate, decrease in efficiency and it factors into it’s likelihood of being denatured or distorted in shape.
How does temperature affect enzymes?
Enzymes have an optimal temperature range that determines efficiency of enzymes with it’s chemical reactions, and also decreases enzyme activity and can cause denature if the temperatures deviates from the range.
Catabolic
Supports the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy in the process.
Product
A result of a chemical reaction with reactants/substrates occurs.
Induced fit
A model describing the theory of the enzyme adjusting the active sites’s shaped with the binded substrate.
Lock and key mechanism
An analogy used to describe the scenario where the enzyme’s active site shape and substrate have a perfect fit without needing to adjust enzyme shape.
Digestion
Breaking down of food into nutrients such as fats or carbohydrates.
Esophagus
The tub that connects food from mouth to stomach.
Stomach
Organ where the food is broken down using digestive juices.
Pancreas
Gland makes enzymes that breaks down the food even more and insulin hormone (which helps body turn food into energy).
Small intestine
Organ where most digestion occurs.