Definitions Flashcards
Abiotic
non-living things (light, oxygen)
Biotic
all living things (animals)
Quantitative
numerical recording
Qualitative
recording of what we can physically see
Observation
- derive generalizations, often about patterns
- can be quantitative or qualitative
Hypothesis
proposed explanation of a phenomenon
Theory
broad scope, supported by a large body of evidence that generates testable hypotheses
Hydrophilic
has an affinity for water
Hydrophobic
does not have an affinity for water
Solution
liquid that is a homogeneous mixture of substances
Aqueous solution
solutes dissolved in the solvent water
Acid
donates a proton to a solution, increasing H+ concentrations of a solution
Base
accepts a proton from the solution, decreasing H+ concentrations of a solution
Buffers
minimize changes in concentrations of H+ and OH- in a solution
Organic
carbon containing compounds
Isomers
same # of atoms of each type but different arrangements of atoms
Polymers
made of small repeating subunits called monomers
Denaturation
loss of 3D structure and loss of proper function
Chaperonins
assist proper folding/refolding of other proteins
Nucleotides
nucleic acid monomer
Amphipathic
describes a molecule with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions
Cytosol
gel like aqueous medium inside cells
Selective barrier
allows passage of some materials (oxygen, nutrients and waste) and block others
Prokaryote
single celled/ unicellular
Eukaryote
single and multicellular forms
Stromatolites
layered rock containing fossilized prokaryotes
Plasmids
small circular chromosomes of DNA concentrated in a nucleoid of a prokaryote
Nuclear envelope
double membrane that encloses the nucleus of eukaryotes
Nuclear lamina
network of proteins on the inside face of the nucleus of eukaryotes that maintains shape
Nuclear pores
openings in the membrane of the nucleus of eukaryotes that allows material to enter and leave
Chromatin
DNA is bundled with proteins in this compact form
Nucleolus/nucleoli
dense granules of ribosomal RNA and proteins during interphase
Lumen
space inside the endoplasmic reticulum
Cisternae
flattened membranous sacs of the golgi apparatus
Vacuoles
vesicles from the plasma membrane, ER or Golgi
Lysosomes
membranous sac of hydrolytic enzymes
Chloroplasts
sites of photosynthesis in plants and algae
Thylakoids:
flattened and connected sacs that are stacked into grana
Stroma:
fluid outside the thylakoids that contain DNA and ribosomes
Endosymbiosis
relationship between two organisms where one lives inside another
Cytoskeleton
network of fibers extending throughout the cytosol
Collagens
major protein embedded in proteoglycans
Proteoglycans
consists of proteins and carbohydrates
Diffusion
spontaneous movement of molecules from high concentrations to low concentrations without energy (ATP) input
Osmosis
diffusion of water
Dynamic equilibrium
as many molecules cross in one direction as cross in the other direction no net difference
Aquaporins
channel proteins for facilitated diffusion of water across fatty acid tails
Tonicity
relative total solute concentration difference that can lead to osmosis
Osmotic pressure
external pressure that would have to be applied to push the water on the higher side down to equalize height
Passive transport
with the concentration gradient, does not require ATP, releases energy
Active transport
against the concentration gradient, requires ATP
Membrane potential
difference in positive and negative ions across the membrane (often more negative inside the cell)
Metabolism
sum of chemical reactions in cells where energy is converted from one form to another
Catabolism
- large molecules are broken into smaller ones, releasing energy that will be used to generate ATP for anabolic reactions
- exergonic reactions
Anabolism
building large molecules from small ones, which requires energy from catabolic reactions
-endergonic reactions
Cofactors
nonprotein enzyme helper (coenzyme)
Free energy (G)
energy in a system that can be used to do work
Energy of activation
energy that must be absorbed for the reaction to reach the transition state
Reduction
gains an electron (becomes more negative)
Oxidation
loses an electron (becomes more positive)
Phosphorylation
-transfer of phosphate from one molecule to another (substrate level phosphorylation)
ADP+Pi+energy = ATP
Dephosphorylation
-transfer of phosphate from one molecule to another (substrate level phosphorylation)
ATP = ADP+Pi+energy
Hydrolysis
water added to the reaction
Dehydration
water released from the reaction
