cells to enzymes Flashcards
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Cell
The building block of living things
Nucleus
Controls the activities of the cell. It contains chromosomes made of DNA.
Cytoplasm
Jelly-like contents of a cell where many chemical reactions take place.
Cell membrane
A thin layer around a cell that controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell.
Cell wall
Rigid cellulose layer outside the cell membrane of a plant or bacterial cell.
Chloroplast
Small disc in the cytoplasm of plants containing chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
Permanent vacuole
Fluid-filled area in plant cells, containing sap.
Mitochondria
The site of aerobic respiration in plant and animal cells.
Bacteria
A microorganism 1-5 ?m long. It?s DNA is not contained within a nucleus.
Fungi
Organisms with a cell wall made of chitin, rather than the cellulose found in plant cell walls.
Specialised cell
A cell that has a structure well suited to its function.
Differentiation
When a cell develops into a type that is specialised for a specific function.
Diffusion
When the net movement of particles is from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Concentration gradient
Difference in concentration of a substance from one area to another.
Multicellular
Being built up of many cells, all working together as an organism.
Tissue
Group of similar cells working together to perform a common function e.g. muscle or xylem.
Organ
Collection of different tissues working together to perform a function within an organism e.g. stomach, or leaf.
Organ system
Collection of different organs working together to perform a major function within an organism e.g. digestive system, or flower.
Epidermal tissue
Tissue one cell thick on the surface of plant roots, stems and leaves, that protects the organs.
Xylem
Plant tissue, made up of dead cells, that has the function of transporting water and dissolved substances through the plant.
Phloem
Plant tissue, made up of living cells, that has the function of transporting food substances through the plant.
Palisade mesophyll
Layer of tall column shaped cells in the leaf containing chloroplasts, where the majority of photosynthesis occurs.
Chlorophyll
Green pigment found in chloroplasts, that traps light energy for photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis
Chemical reaction that enable plants to build carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water, using energy from sunlight.
Word equation
A way of representing a chemical reaction using the names of chemicals e.g. oxygen and glucose.
Chemical equation
A way of representing a chemical reaction using symbols of chemicals e.g. CO2 and H20
Stomata
Pores (holes) on the surface of a leaf that allows water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen to move in and out of the leaf.
Rate of photosynthesis
How quickly a plant is photosynthesising. This is affected by factors including levels of CO2, light, and temperature.
Limiting factor
E.g. carbon dioxide level, light intensity or temperature, which will affect the rate of photosynthesis if it is in short supply.
Distribution
Detail of where species are found over the total area of where they occur. E.g. woodlice have a high distribution under a log.
Population
The number of organisms of the same species in a selected area.
Community
All the populations of organisms that live together and interact in the same area.
Relationship
Interaction between different species living together in the same area.
Sampling
Counting a small number of a large total population in order to study its distribution.
Quadrat
A quadrat is a square grid used in ecology for sampling purposes.
Transect
A line or path through part of the environment showing a range of different habitats.
Mean
The average of a collection of data. Found by adding up all results, and dividing by the number of results collected.
Median
The middle value of a collection of data.
Mode
Most common value of a collection of data.
Protein
Large molecules made up of many amino acids. Many roles within organisms, e.g. muscle, hormones and enzymes.
Amino acids
The building blocks of proteins. When proteins are digested, amino acids are absorbed into the blood.
Enzyme
Biological catalyst made of protein. They catalyse chemical reactions in living organisms.
Catalyst
Substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up itself.
Substrate
Substance acted upon by an enzyme in a chemical reaction.
Optimum
Best. E.g. the optimum temperature for an enzyme is the temperature at which the enzyme performs best.
Denatured
When the shape of an enzyme has altered and it can no longer carry out its function. Often caused by temperature or pH.
Chemical digestion
The break down of food within the body due to the action of enzymes on large food molecules.
Amylase
An enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of starch into sugar molecules.
Protease
An enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of proteins to amino acids.
Lipase
Enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of fats (lipids) into fatty acids and glycerol.
Biological detergent
Detergent that contains enzymes.
Fermenters
Large container used for growing large numbers of microorganisms.
Carbohydrase
E.g. Amylase - Enzymes that catalyse the breakdown of large carbohydrate molecules e.g. starch into smaller sugar molecules.
Isomerase
Type of enzyme that rearranges the atoms of a molecule. E.g. when converting glucose into fructose.
