Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

science > definitions - set 5 > Flashcards

definitions - set 5 Flashcards

1
Q

mitosis

A

nuclear division giving rise to genetically identical cells in which the chromosome number is maintained by the exact duplication of chromosomes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

monoculture

A

a large area of the same crop plant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

monosaccharide

A

a simple sugar; a carbohydrate whose molecules are made of one sugar unit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

morphology

A

the overall shape and form of an organism’s body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

movement

A

an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

mutagen

A

a substance that causes mutations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

mutation

A

a change in a gene or a chromosome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

myelin

A

a fatty substance surrounding the axons of many neurones, enabling the nerve impulse to travel faster

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

natural selection

A

the greater chance of passing on of genes by the best-adapted organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

nectary

A

a gland producing a sugary fluid, found in many insect- or bird- pollinated flowers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

negative feedback

A

a mechanism used in homeostasis, in which a change in a parameter brings about actions that push it back towards normal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

nephron

A

one of the thousands of tiny tubules in a kidney, in which urine is produced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

nerve

A

a bundle of axons or dendrons belonging to many different neurones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

nerve impulse

A

an electrical signal that sweeps along a neurone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

neurone

A

a nerve cell; a cell specialised for the rapid transfer of electrical impulses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

nicotine

A

an addictive drug found in tobacco smoke

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

nitrifying bacteria

A

bacteria that obtain their energy by converting ammonia or nitrite ions to nitrate ions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

nitrogen fixation

A

changing unreactive nitrogen gas into a more reactive nitrogen compound such as nitrate or ammonia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

nitrogenous waste

A

excretory products containing nitrogen - for example, ammonia, urea, uric acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

non-biodegradable

A

not able to be broken down by microorganisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

normal distribution

A

a curve in which the largest number occurs near the midpoint, with approximately equal quantities on either side of this point and a gradual decrease towards the extremes

22
Q

nucleus

A

a large organelle in which chromosomes are found

23
Q

nutrition

A

taking in materials that are required for energy, growth and development

24
Q

oesophagus

A

the part of the alimentary canal along which food travels from the mouth to the stomach

25
Q

oestrogen

A

a hormone secreted by the ovaries that helps to control the menstrual cycle

26
Q

optimum temperature

A

the temperature at which something happens most rapidly

27
Q

organ

A

a structure made up of a group of tissues, working together to perform specific functions

28
Q

organ system

A

a group of organs with related functions, working together to perform body functions

29
Q

organelle

A

a structure within a cell

30
Q

organic

A

a term used to describe substances that have been made by living organisms, or whose molecules contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

31
Q

organism

A

a living thing

32
Q

osmosis

A

the diffusion of water molecules from a region of high water potential to a region of lower water potential, through a partially permeable membrane

33
Q

ovary

A

an organ in which female gametes are made

34
Q

oviduct

A

the tube leading from an ovary to the uterus

35
Q

ovulation

A

the release of an egg from an ovary

36
Q

ovule

A

a structure in the ovary of a flower which contains a female gamete

37
Q

oxygen debt

A

the extra oxygen that must be taken in by the body following strenuous exercise, when anaerobic respiration took place; the oxygen is needed to break down the lactic acid that accumulated as a result of anaerobic respiration

38
Q

oxygenated blood

A

blood containing a lot of oxygen; in humans, blood becomes oxygenated in the lungs

39
Q

palisade layer

A

the upper mesophyll layer in a leaf, made up of rectangular cells containing many chloroplasts

40
Q

pancreas

A

an organ lying close to the stomach, which is both an endocrine gland (producing insulin and glucagon) and an exocrine gland (producing pancreatic juice)

41
Q

pancreatic juice

A

the liquid secreted into the pancreatic duct by the pancreas; it flows into the duodenum where its enzymes help with digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates

42
Q

partially permeable

A

allowing some molecules to pass through, but not others

43
Q

passive immunity

A

having antibodies provided from another organism, that temporarily protect against a pathogen

44
Q

pathogen

A

a disease-causing organism

45
Q

pelvis

A

(in kidney) the part from which the ureter emerges

46
Q

penicillin

A

an antibiotic which destroys bacteria by damaging their cell walls

47
Q

pepsin

A

a protease enzyme found in the stomach

48
Q

peripheral nervous system

A

all the nerves and receptors in the body, not including the brain or spinal cord

49
Q

peristalsis

A

rhythmic contractions of muscles that ripple along a tube - for example, peristalsis pushes food through the alimentary canal

50
Q

petiole

A

a leaf stalk

science (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions