Diagnostic Terms Flashcards
Vocabulary pulled from Diagnostic Biology CLEP test
genotype
The part of a DNA sequence that determines a certain trait (phenotype) of that organism.
incomplete dominance
When the dominant gene is not expressed completely over the recessive. Example would be a red flower ( R ) and white flower ( r ) producing a pink flower (Rr)
Eubacteria
The domain that contains bacteria and other prokaryotic cells (no nucleus, less complex overall)
enzymatic
relating to an enzyme
exothermic
Heat released after some process
Bronchus
The airway that passes conducts air into the lungs. It breaks into the left and right bronchi, and then furhter branches out into other, smaller types of bronchi.
nonpolarity
an inequal polarity
genome
An organisms complete DNA. In humans, the complete genome is held in each cell with a nucleus.
chorion
The outermost membrane of an embroytic sac in mammals.
Chordata
The phylum that contains humans. This phylum all has a “dorsal nerve chord” (spinal chord in humans) and an extension of the body past the anus. Includes most animals from bears to fish. Also some weird ones. Not all are vertebrates but most are.
k-selection
Same as equilibrium, k-selection are organisms that invest in few offspring that will have long lives.
chemical inhibitor
Opposite of a catalyst; it’s a chemical that SLOWS a chemical reaction.
enzyme
Enzymes are proteins unique for their 3D structure. They are catalysts for biochemical processes.
gene frequency
Also called allele frequency, it’s the frequency in which a certain trait appears in a population.
catalysts
A chemical that speeds up a reaction but isn’t changed by that reaction. Enzymes are examples of a catalyst.
The Krebs cycle
The cycle that creates chemical energy (ATP, NADH, etc) from the oxidation of pyruvate (form glucose)
Blood tissue
Basically the part of blood that contains the red and white blood cells. The “matrix” (the part that makes it liquid) is called plasma.
sympathetic nerves
part of the autonomic nervous system–conrols unconcious activities
Animalia
the Kingdom consisting of Animals
Connective tissue
The tissue throughout the body that keeps it connected. Can include adpiose (fat) tissue, bone tissue, blood tissue, etc.
chordates
Same has chordata–include anything with a spinal chord
Leidig cells
Located next to the testicles, these produce testosterone.
Amino acids
Important compounds to biological function–in proteins they comprise a major component of cells, muscles and tissues, and outside of of proteins they play critical rols in things like neurotransmitter transport and biosynthesis. Amino acids are mainly made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.
Epithelial
The tissue that lines the outside (skin) and inside cavitaties of bodies. One of four tissues in addition to connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue.
anabolism
Part of the metabolic (building) process, opposite of catabolism. Anabolism is when the energy released by catabolism (disintegration) is used to build up cells/tissue. Anabolism involves reorganization of cells/energy.
Guanine
It is one of the four chemicals in the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.
Imprinting
The gene from either the mother or father is silenced on a chomosome
ruminants
Animals like goats, cows, antelope that ferment their plant based food in their stomachs
meristematic region
the regions on a plant where meristematic cells have room to grow (into leaves, flowers, etc.)
inhibition
When a chemical reaction is inhibited by a chemical
cytoplasm
Basically the gel-like stuff that fills and cushions cells around the organelles. The nucleus of eukrotatic cells are usually separated and contained in nucleoplasm… similar but different,.
chromatin
The complex of molecules RNA, DNA, protein that control everything about DNA and it’s purposes (prevents damage, allows mitosis, controlsl genes, etc.
chloroplasts
They are organelles (an “organ” in a cell) that facilitates photosynthesis in plants using chlorphil to create ATP from light.
polymers
a large molecule created by binding many repeated subunits
vascular tissue
The tissue that forms the vascular system in plants. Consists of ducts/vessels
Mitosis
Cell division for growth, not sex cells
Abiotic
Exists indepently from life–does not really on living thing
respiration
Cellular respiration is the set of metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into (ATP), and then release waste products.
Cyclooxygenase-2
Its an enzyme. Some pain killers inhibit it. Abbrevated as COX
stomata
Little “mouths” or pores found on leaves/stems of plants to control gas exchange.
the dark reaction
the part of photosynthesis that doesn’t directly require light
cofactor
Can sometimes be defined as enzymes–these are protieins or “helper molecues” that help biochemical transformations.
nucleosome
The basic DNA packaging in the nucleus of eukaryote cells
equilibreal
A type of life strategy (as opposed to oppurtunistic) for species that rely on defined ecological systems rather than pioneering new ones. An oak tree is an example.
phagocytes
cellls that ingest harmful particles, bacteries, or dead cells. White blood cells are an example
primary consumers
Level on the food chain for organisms that consume producers. Can be herbivores or omnivores.
Dominance
A gene that has alleles that hides the recessive version of that trait.
Ammonification
Part of the process of turning waste/biodegradable material back into food for plants (nitrate). The process turns animal waste and bio materials back into ammonia, which then goes through nitrification and turns into nitrate.
cuticles
The protective film on some plants that protects the epidermal (skin) cells. It’s what makes leaves waxy.
overlapping niches
A “niche” is an organisms role in the community, so an overlapping niche would create more competitino between organisms for those resources
Denitrification
The process that pulls nitrogen from materials back into the air. Biodegradradation is an example.
nondisjunction
when cells fail to split correctly resulting in an incorrect number of chromosomes. A number of syndromes can result in the offspring.
glycolysis
This is the process in which glucose is turned into pyruvate–the energy release is used to make ATP.
bulbs
A type of root or stem for some types of plants.
viscosity
Thickness of liquid
visceral sensory nerves
The nerves that respond to impulses like pain/reflex
heterozygous
Refers to a specic genotype when it contains two different alleles for the same trait (i.e. a dominant and recessive)
polymerase
An enzyme that synthesizes nucleic acids (thus is important for DNA/RNA)
Altruism
When an organism acts in a way that will benefit another organism despite potential negative consequences to itself.i.e. Vervet monkeys give alarm calls to warn fellow monkeys of the presence of predators, even though in doing so they attract attention to themselves, increasing their personal chance of being attacked.[
Plantae
The Kingdom that consists of plants
histones
A protein found in the nuclei of eukrayatic cells that package and order the DNA. Main ingredient in chromatin
interphase
The phase between cell divisions. Think of it like the life of a cell
phylum
the ranke below Kingdum and above Class. Kingdom Animalia has 35 phylums
Mitochondria
An important organelle (“organ”) in a eukaryotic cell where energy production and resperation can occure.
myelin sheath
The insulating envelope of myelin that surrounds the core of a nerve fiber or axon and that facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses, formed from the cell membrane of the Schwann cell in the peripheral nervous system and from oligodendroglia cells. Also called medullary sheath
adipocytes
These are the cells that compase adipose tissue (fat.) The main role of these cells is to store energy
chromosome
The packaged structure containing DNA of living organisims.
palisade layer
Beneath the epidermal layer and cuticle of a plant, palisade layer is where photosynthesis takes place
mesophyll tissue
The tissue in a plant where the cells that charry out photosynthesis is located
somatic sensory nerves
The part of the nervous system that controls VOLUNTARY movement
Habituation
A reduction in innate behaviors of organisms to stimuli after learning that they have no biological impact
G1 phase
Also known as Gap 1 phase. It is the first part of a cells life before it finally divides. mRNA and proteins are synthesized.
NADH
Important coenzyme that has extra electrons to give for processes
Fungi
More closely related to animals than plants, so they form a separate kinddom than plants and animals.
photolysis
A chemical proces by which molecules are broken down by light
Protista
Eukaryotic organisms that don’t fit with prokaryotic organisms, but are not plants, animals or fungi. Algae is an example
parenchyma
Basically the functional parts of an organism–like the organs in a human. Different than the connective tissue
arthropods
The phylum of invetrabate animal that have exoskeltons, segmented bodies, and jointed appendages.
Phosphoric acid
a corosive acid and sometimes-inhibitor
FAP
Fixed Action Pattern. Also known as instincts.
Abiotic limiting factors
Factors (independent of life (biotic)) that limit a populations ability to grow that include light, water, nutrients, minerals, oxygen, tempurature, space, etc.
pyruvic acid
Supplies energy to cells. It can be made from glucose and converted back to glucose.
The electron transfer cycle
The transfer of electrons from electron donors to electron receptors (like hydrogen) that facilitates the creation of ATP
catabolism
Catabolism is the state in which cells break down large molecules like fats (lipids), protiens and complex carbs to be used as energy. It leads to the creation of ATP (which facilitates anabolism). Lactic acid is a byproduct of catabolism.
Thymine
It is one of the four chemicals in the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.
synthesize
combination of two things to create something new
diploid
Cell or organism that has two matching chromosomes. Sex cells in humans DO NOT, since they come together to form diploids that populate the rest of the body.
embryonic membranes
All the membranes that protect an embryo. Amnion, yolk sac, allantiois, etc.
modern synthesis
The most modern defiintion of evolution–combinging all previous research
centromere
The physical part at which two chromosomes are connected to make a dyad (that “X” shaped structure). It lets the cell machinaery know when thte chromosomes are ready to split
prostaglandins
A hormone that aids in muscle relaxation contraction, blood vessel constriction/dialation, etc.
Photosynthesis
The processs by which plants turn light into energy (carbon dioxide+water–light–>sugar+oxygen)
propagation
Reproduction in plants
prokaryotic
A single-celled organism lacking a membrane bound nucleus, miocohndria or organelles. Basically the entire cell is a nucleus
Chlorophyll
It’s the molecule that allows plants to get energy from light… important for photosynthesis
substrate
the surface on which an organism lives
Cartilage tissue
Not quite as rigid as bone but not as flexible as muscle, cartilage is a connective tissue that can offer support, frictional support (it can be very smooth), and compressive functions (on muscules).
protein synthesis
The cellular process that results in new proteins
rhizomes
The underground par tof a plant–like a bulb–that sends out roots
carbohydrate molecule
one of the three most important types of molecues for cells to function (in addition to proteins and lipids.) Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Examples of carbs are monosaccharides like glucose and disaccharieds like sucrose.
amnion
The “shell” around the amniotic sac that allows the fluid to be contained. It protects the embyro
H+
Hydrogen
Artery
Blood vesssels that carry blood AWAY from the heart
cristae
The folded area in the mitochondria. The folds allow a greater surface area within the mitochondria (an organlle in a cell) so that different chemical reactions can occure. Cristae are studded with proteins like ATP.
alimentary canal
The digestive tract. Starts at the mouth and ends with the anus
axon
Axons are protrusions of nerve cells (neurons) that transmit signals to muscles and tissue. Similar to dendrites, but they transmit signals while dendrites usually receive them.
cones
A type of seed. Think of pinetree cones
nucleotides
The subunits of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA–ATP is a nucleotide.
plasmodesmata
tubular structures that connect cells in plants
ATP
One of–if not the–most important form engergy takes for cells. “Think of it as an American dollar–it’s what you need to do business in the U.S.” ATP is made through cellular respiration.
transcription step
When a section of DNA is copied into RNA and sent to rhibsomes
Nitrogen fixing
Again part of the nitrifcatino process (turning ammonia into nitrogen cycle)
inorganic
Any non-living substance – may not contain carbon. Of mineral, not biological, origin,
goblet cells
Goblet cells secret mucins which become mucus.
dipeptides
Could mean two things–two amino acids with one peptide bond OR one aminio acid with two peptide bonds
coding
Basically cell coding is like computer coding–it’s the map that cells have to function
yolk sac
The sac of yolk that provides nourishment to reptile/bird/fish embyros
stolens
in plants and fungus, these are slend branches that assist in propagation
pigment
Any colored material of plan or animal cells (en masse, creates eye/sking/hair color)
phosphorylated
By adding phosphoryl to a molecule, many protein enzymes are turned “on” or “off”
gametes
It is a sex cell. In male humans its sperm and in female humans its an egg
peritoneum
The membrane that lines/encloses the cavity of an organism (like a human) that supports their organs. Made partly of connective tissue
Cytosine
It is one of the four chemicals in the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.
glucose
Created during photosynthesis, this is a carbohydrate and is very important for celluar respiration.
Oparin Hypothesis
That solar energy powered protein synthesis at the beginning of life on earth that led to basic carbon based life forms being created
dihybrid cross
The cross of traits (recessive and dominant) that results in an observed trait. Visualized on a Punnett Square
prosthetic group
Tightly bound, specific non-polypeptide unit required for the biological function of some proteins. The prosthetic group may be organic (such as a vitamin, sugar, or lipid) or inorganic (such as a metal ion)
S phase
stage of interphase where DNA copies itself
allantois
A structure that helps pass gases and handle liquid waste for an embryo in a sac. It’s like a stalk.
nematodes
A parasitic species (phylum: nematoda) of worm-like creatures
Ribosome
hen a cell needs to make proteins, it looks for ribosomes. Ribosomes are the protein builders or the protein synthesizers of the cell.
secondary consumers
After primary consumers, secondary consumers are usually carnivores or omnivores.
RNA
The nucleic acid that transfers information from the DNA to the ribosome to form the appropriate protein
Prophase
The first phase of mitosis. In this phase, chromatin (DNA+proteins) condenses.
Archaea
This is a separate domain from the one that contains Animalia (animals). They consist of single celled microogranisms. These “microbes” are prokaryotes (as opposed to eukaryota–mult-cells), meaning that they have no cell nuclus or membrane-bound organelles.
Nitrification
The cycle of ammonia oxidation into nitrate performed by bacteria in the soil. Nitrate is important for plants
ion
an atom or group of atoms or molecule that has a charge
Cytochromes
A protein that contains iron and is primarily responsible for generating ATP. They are a metal which is importatn to oxidation and reduction.
homozygous
Refers to a genotype when it contains two of the same allele for the same trait
enzyme-substrate complex
The resulting complex from an enzyme catalyzing (not a word) a process
protozoa
Protozoa are a diverse group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms. Protista
cilia
An ogranelle (“organ”) found in eukaryotic (has a nucleus) cells. They look like eyelashes. It is speculated they serve a sesnory function for cell growth and chemical sensation.
anaerobic
When something can occur without oxygen
mRNA
Messenger RNA–it is the RNA that pulls data from DNA to protein
centrioles
Found near the nucleus of eurokratic (has a defined nucleus) cells, these are tubular structures made of protein that add in mitosis and meiosis (cell division).
Vagus nerve
The nerve that controls the heart and digestive tract…. Like the front-spinal chord?
alleles
The part of a chromosome that carries genes for specific traits. One allele might be dominanat/recessive to another
neural development
the development of the nervous system
tubers
Structures serving as storage organs for plants. Potatoes are a tuber.
annelids
Basically worms. They are a phylum in the Anamalia kingdom–they are invertebrates with segmented bodies. Earthworm is the classic example.
Cardiac tissue
The type of muscle tissue found only in the heart, making up most of its mass, that pumps blood through the body.
inorganic cofactor
inorganic substances essential for biological function
Adipose tissue
Another word for fat. Stores energy but also insulates for heat and provides cushioning for internal organs
autonomic nerves
The nerves that control involuntary actions like brething, heartbeat, etc. and also other bodily functions like urination and sexual arousal.
phenotype
The physical traits of an organism. Eye color, hair color, etc.
epidermis
Puter layer of cells (i.e. skin)
Fermentation
A metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases or alcohol. Occurs when a recepter like oxygen is absent and renders a transport chain unsable for ATP prodcution
myelin
a fatty white substance that surrounds the axon of some nerve cells, forming an electrically insulating layer
polymerization
when smaller molecures bind to create a larger molecule
Adenine
It is one of the four chemicals in the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.
Punnett square
I diagram used to predict the likelihood of a certain phentic trait
villi
The little hair like things that are found in intestines lining the walls. They increase surface area for maximim nutrient absorbtion.
lysis
The breaking down of a cell by things like virus
photon
the basical particle that makes up light
G2 phase
Also known as Gap 2 phase. It comes after the S phase and is the final part of a cells life before mitosis (cell division). DNA is replicated.
meiosis
The division of cells TWICE to create cells with only half the number of chomosomes. These are the sex cells–they meet up with the other sex cells to create whole diploid cell
