Definitions Flashcards
diffusion
it is the net movement of particles from a region of higher conc to a region of lower conc (down a conc gradient)
osmosis
it is the 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
it is the process in which energy is used to move the particles of a substance across a membrane against its conc gradient (lower to higher)
enzyme
it is a protein that functions as biological catalyst.
it can alter/speed up chem rxns
it remains chemically unchanged at the end of the rxn
peristalsis
it is the rhythmic, wave-like muscular contractions in the wall of the alimentary canal
translocation
it is the transport of manufactured food substances in the phloem
transpiration
it is the loss of water vapour from a plant, mainly through the stomata of the leaves
aerobic respiration
it is the breakdown of food substances in the presence of oxygen with the release of a large amt of energy.
carbon dioxide and water are released as waste products
anaerobic respiration
it is the breakdown of food substances in the absence of oxygen.
anaerobic resp releases less energy than aerobic resp
excretion
it is the process by which metabolic waste products and toxic substances are removed from the body of an organism
homeostasis
it is the maintenance of a constant internal environment
asexual reproduction
the process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from
one parent
sexual reproduction
the process involving the fusion of nuclei to form a zygote and the production of genetically dissimilar offspring
gene
a unit of inheritance
