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Forensic science year 1 > Forensic biology > Flashcards

Forensic biology Flashcards

1
Q

What components are in the plasma membrane and what is its function?

A

Phospholipid bilayer
Fluid mosaic model
Movement in and out
Cell signalling

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2
Q

What is the function of the cytoskeleton?

A

Provide shape and movement

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3
Q

What do Actin Microfilaments do? Where are they found?

A

Inner edge of cytoskeleton
Resist tension

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4
Q

What do Microtubules do? Where are they found?

A

Interior of the cytoskeleton
Resist compression

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5
Q

What do Intermediate filaments do? Where are they found?

A

Hold organelles in place
Cytoskeleton

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6
Q

What is the cytoplasam?

A

Fluid inside of the cell
contains proteins, salts and maintains the internal environment

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7
Q

What are the units of Ribosomes?

A

S=svedberg

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8
Q

What ribosome unit is Eukaryotic?

A

80s, joint 40s and 60s

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9
Q

What ribosome unit is Prokaryotic?

A

70s, joint 50s and 30s

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10
Q

What are Svedberg units used for?

A

Used to measure the sedimentation rate of particles during centrifugation
Larger sediments faster

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11
Q

What are some main features of prokaryotic cells?

A

Lack a membrane-enclosed nucleus
Simple and small = 0.1-5um
Unicellular

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12
Q

What are the structures in a prokaryotic cell?

A

Cytoplasm
ribosomes
nucleoid
plasmids
cell wall
slime capsule
flagella
pilli

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13
Q

What is the function of the cell wall?

A

Protection and structural support
Only allow certain molecules to pass

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14
Q

What is the function of the slime capsule?

A

Protection from chemical attacks
adhesive
immune system protection

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15
Q

What is the function of flagella?

A

Movement

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16
Q

What is the function of Pilli?

A

Adhesive to epithelial surfaces
Conjugation of genetic material
Uptake of proteins and DNA
motility

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17
Q

What are the main features of Eukaryotic cells?

A

Complex and large 10-100um
Multicellular
Compartmentalisation

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18
Q

What are the organelles found in Eukaryotic cells?

A

Ribosomes
Cytoplasm
nucleus
mitochondria
centrioles
rough endoplasmic reticulum
smooth endoplasmic reticulum
golgi apparatus
vesicles/lysosomes

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19
Q

What is the function of the mitochondria?

A

Converts chemical energy to ATP
cristae

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20
Q

What is the function of centrioles?

A

Involved in cell replication (mitosis& meiosis)
Organise microtubules that attach to chromosomes
spindle lengthens -> shortens

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21
Q

What organelles are involved in the secretary pathway?

A

Both endoplasmic reticulums
golgi
vesicles

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22
Q

What is the function of Rough endoplasmic reticulum?

A

Ribosomes on the outside
Synthesise and sort proteins
sends to the smooth

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23
Q

What is the function of Smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

A

No ribosomes = no synthesis
Metabolic processes

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24
Q

What is the function of the Golgi appartus?

A

Processes proteins
Packaging

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25
Q

What is the function of vesicles?

A

Membrane-bound protein ready for delivery

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26
Q

What are lysosomes?

A

Vesicles containing digestive enzymes

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27
Q

What are the components in the plasma membrane?

A

Phospholipid bilayer
Hydrophilic tails
Hydrophobic heads
Receptor proteins
Channel proteins
Carrier proteins

28
Q

What is ATP?

A

Releases energy from glucose
It is adenosine triphosphate

29
Q

Where do Specialised cells come from?

A

Pluripotent stem cells

30
Q

What are Squamous, Columnar , Cuboidal and Ciliated cells all associated with?

A

Epithelium (Skin)

31
Q

What are the 3 main layers to epithelial tissue? In order

A
  1. Epidermis
  2. Dermis
  3. Subcutaneous
32
Q

Describe the Epidermis function

A

Protection
Contains melanin
Helps prevent dehydration

33
Q

Describe the Dermis function

A

Filled with collagen proteins
Hair follicles
Sweat glands
Blood and lymph vessels
Nerves

34
Q

Describe the Subcutaneous

A

Contains collagen networks
Adipose tissue (body fat)

35
Q

What is the role of the Sebaceous gland found in the dermis?

A

Provides 90% of surface lipids
Sweat glands help thermoregulation

36
Q

What are the different types of skin injuries?

A

Enter the body: Cuts, lacerations, gashes and tears
Surface wounds: Scrapes, abrasions, scratches and floor burns
Bruises: crushing with bleeding under the skin

37
Q

What are the 4 main muscle structures? In order of size

A
  1. Skeletal Muscle
  2. Muscle cell
  3. Myofibril
  4. Sarcomeres
38
Q

Describe muscle relaxation

A

Sarcomeres protein filaments actin and myosin are blocked by troponin and tropomyosin

39
Q

Describe muscle contraction

A

Ca+ present
ATP-bound myosin head binds to actin and pulls creating a contraction

40
Q

How do muscles relax after contraction?

A

ATP binds to myosin head to stop the binding

41
Q

What is the blood composition?

A

55% Plasma
<1% leukocytes & Platelets
45% Erytheocytes

42
Q

What protein is secreted to promote erythrocytes being produced?

A

Erythropoietin

43
Q

What are the main specialised components to Erythrocytes?

A

Haemoglobin - binds to O2, Protoporphyrin IX and Ferrous Ion
Mature = no nucleus or organelles
Small and flexible = movement
Biconcave shape = Maximum surface area for absorption

44
Q

What are the main types of leukocytes?

A

Granulocytes - Basophil, Eosinophil and Neutrophil
Lymphocytes
Monocytes

45
Q

What are the main specialised components of Thrombocytes (platelets)?

A

Aggregate at sites of vascular and blood injury
less than 10 day lifespan
Blood clotting

46
Q

What is the Artery composition?

A

Tunica Adventitia - Outer layer contains fibroblasts
Tunica Media - Middle layer containing smooth muscles - has lots of this
Basement membrane - Inner layer
Tunica intima - Most inner layer containing endothelial cells
Small lumen = high pressure

47
Q

What is the Vein composition?

A

Tunica Adventitia - Outer layer contains fibroblasts
Tunica Media - Middle layer containing smooth muscles - has less of this
Basement membrane - Inner layer
Tunica intima - Most inner layer containing endothelial cells
Wide lumen = low pressure
Valves = Prevent flow back

48
Q

What is the Integument System?

A

Body surfaces
First layer of defence

49
Q

What are the functions of the Integument System?

A

Protection from dehydration, Injury, Pathogens
Regulate body temperature
Sensory interface for the environment

50
Q

How does the Integument system interact with the Immune system?

A

Physical barrier from infection

51
Q

How does the Integument system interact with the digestive system, Endocrine & skeletal?

A

Synthesises vitamin D
Required to absorb calcium

52
Q

How does the Integument system interact with the Cardiovascular system?

A

Conserve or release heat by constricting or dilating blood vessels

53
Q

How does the Integument system interact with the Nervous system?

A

Transmit sensations

54
Q

How does the Integument system interact with the Respiratory system?

A

Cilia in respiratory tract

55
Q

How does the Integument system interact with the Urinary system?

A

Excretes waste product

56
Q

What is Algor mortis and when does it happen?

A

Cooling of the body
Less than 15 min

57
Q

What is Rigor mortis and when does it happen?

A

Contraction of the muscle
More than 15 min

58
Q

What is Livor mortis and when does it happen?

A

Blood pooling
Past 20min fixes below 12 hours

59
Q

How is Livor mortis used to identify if a body has been moved?

A

Blood pools in the lowest part of the body
Leaves red-blue-purple discoloration

60
Q

What are the stages of decomposition?

A
  1. Fresh (Autolysis)
  2. Bloat
  3. Active Decay (Putrefaction)
  4. Advanced decay
  5. Skeletisation
61
Q

What happens in the Bloat stage of Decomposition?

A

Cells break down through hydrolytic enzymes and bacteria
Green colouration on the abdomen
Anaerobic bacteria produce gases and skin becomes marbled

62
Q

What happens in the Active Decay stage of Decomposition?

A

Fluids purge

63
Q

What factors affect decomposition?

A

Temperature
Oxygen availability
Humidity
Cause of Death
Body Size/Weight
Clothing

64
Q

What is the function of the Small Intestine?

A

Absorb nutrients
Enzymatic digestion
Moves food along GI tract

65
Q

What is the function of the Large Intestine?

A

Absorbs water and electrolytes
Forms and propelling faeces
Produce and absorb vitamins (K&B)

Forensic science year 1 (6 decks)

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