Glossary Flashcards
the movement of digested food molecules through the wall of the intestine into the blood or lymph
absorption
the change of shape of the lens, in order to focus on objects at different distances
accommodation
the part of an enzyme molecule into which its substrate fits
active site
the movement of molecules and ions in or out of a cell through the cell membrane, from a region of their lower concentration to a region of their higher concentration against a concentration gradient, using energy released during respiration
active transport
a feature of an organism that helps it survive in its encironment
adaptation (adaptive feature)
tissue made up of cells in which fat is stored
adipose tissue
a hormone secreted by the ______ glands, which prepares the body for ‘flight or fight’
adrenaline
adrenal glands
the release of a relatively large amount of energy in cells by the breakdown of nutrient molecules in the presence of oxygen
aerobic respiration
any of two or more alternative forms of a gene
allele
part of the digestive system; a long tube running from mouth to anus
alimentary canal
an air sac in the lungs, where gas exchange occurs
alveolus (plural: alveoli)
molecules that can link together in a long chains to form proteins; they contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen and sometimes sulfur
amino acids
fluid secreted by the ______, which supports and protects a developing fetus
amniotic fluid
amnion
an enzyme which breaks down starch to maltose
amylase
the release of a relatively small amount of energy by the breakdown of nutrient molecules in the absence of oxygen
anaerobic respiration
the part of a stamen in which pollen is produced
anther
a drug that kills bacteria in the human body, without damaging human cells
antibiotic
chemicals secreted by lymphocytes, which attach to antigens andhelp to destroy them
antibodies
a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
artery
the choice by a farmer or grower of only the ‘best’ parents to breed, generation after generation
artificial selection
the process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from one parent
asexual reproduction
the movement of digested food molecules into the cells of the body where they are used, becoming part of the cells
assimilation
valves between the atria and ventricles in the heart that prevent blood flowing from the ventricles into the atria
atrioventricular valves: tricuspid valves (right) bicuspid valves (left)
a plant hormone which causes cells to elongate
auxin
a nerve fibre that conducts impulses away from the cell body
axon
a diet containing some of each of the different types of nutrients, in a suitable quantity and proportions
balanced diet
a liquid made in the the liver, stored in the gall bladder and emptied into the small intestine, where it helps to emulsify fats
bile
a two-word Latin name for a species of organism, genus+species
biominal
a test for protein
biuret test
muscular movements which cause air to move into and out of the lungs
breathing
the small tubes into which the bronchi branch
bronchioles
one of the two tubes into which the trachea branches, carrying air into each lung
bronchus (plural: bronchi)
a tiny blood vessel that delivers blood to tissues
capillaries
an enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of carbohydrates
carbohydrase
starches and sugars
carbohydrates
the muscle of which the heart is made
cardiac muscle
an animal that gets its energy by eating other animals
canivore
the female part of a flower
carpel
a solution of sugars and other substances inside the vacuole of a plant cell
cell sap
a polysaccharide carbohydrate which forms fibres and is found in the cell walls of plant cells
cellulose
the brain and spinal cord
central nervous system
a thread-like structure of DNA, made up of a string of genes
chromosome
the partly-digested food, that moves from the stomach into the small intestine
chyme
tiny extensions on the surface of a cell, which can wave in unison and cause fluids to move
cilia
a ring of muscle around the lens, which can change its shape
ciliary muscle
a group of genetically identical organisms
clone
a situation in which both alleles in a heterozygote have an effect on the phenotype
codominance
all the organisms, of all the different species, living in an area at the same time
community
a light-sensitive cell in the retina, which responds to light of a particular colour
cone cell
an organism that gets its energy by feeding on other organisms
consumer
differences in the features of a group of organisms in each individual’s features can lie anywhere between two extremes
continuous variation
a condition in which the coronary arteries become partly blocked
coronary heart disease
the structure that forms in an ovary after an egg has been released; it secrets progesterone
corpus luteum
in a kidney, the outer layer; in a plant stem or root, a tissue made of typical plant cells (usually without chloroplasts)
cortex
food storage structures in ground during germination and begin to photosynthesise
cotyledons
the transfer of pollen from the anther of one plant to the stigma of another plant of the same species
cross-pollination
a layer of wax on a leaf
cuticle
jelly-like material that is found in cells
cytoplasm
a metabolic reaction that takes place in the liver in which amino acids is removed to form urea, followed by the release of energy from the remainder of the amino acid
deamination
a stage where the number in a population falls rapidly towards zero
death phase
an organism that gets its energy from dead or waste organic matter
decomposer
the desruction of large area of forest
deforestation
an enzyme is said to be _______when its molecule has changed shape so much that the substrate can no longer fit into it
denatured
bacteria that obtain their energy by converting nitrate ions into nitrogen gas
denitrifying bacteira
a drug that inhibits the nervous system and slows it down
depressant
exchange of substances through a partially permeable membrane; used in kidney faliure
dialysis
the net movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration down a concentration gradient, as a result of their random movement
diffusion
the break-down of large, insoluble food molecules into small molecules using mechanical and chemical processes
digestion
having two sets of chromosomes
diploid
a complex sugar; a carbohydrate whose molecules are made of two sugar units
disaccharide
differences in the features of a group of organisms where each fits into one of a few clearly defined categories
discontinuous variation
the chemical which chromosomes and genes are made
DNA
an allele that is expressed if it is present; written in capital letter
dominant
a condition in which an organism shuts its metabolism down, so that it can survive in adverse condition
dormant
a system in which blood passes twice through the heart on one complete circuit of the body
double circulatory system
any substance taken into the body that modifies or affects chemical reactions in the body
drug
a unit containing all of the organisms and their environment, interacting together, in a given area
ecosystem
unable to regulate body temperature physiologically; the organism’s temperature varies with that of its environment
ecothermic
a part of the body that responds to a stimulus, a muscle or a gland
effector
the passing out of food that has not been digested, as faeces, through the anus
egestion
which is different from excretion
a female gamete
egg
a young organism before birth, and before all the body organs have formed
embryo
breaking large globules of fat into tiny droplets, so that they mix easily with water
emulsification
the ductless glands that secrete hormones into the blood and together make up the _______ system
endocrine glands
able to internally regulate body temperature; the body temperature is independent of the temperature of the environment
endothermic
the increase in the green house effect caused by the addition of more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere
enhanced greenhouse effect
proteins that function as biological catalysts
enzymes
the outer layer of the skin
epidermis (mammals)
a tissue made up of a single layer of cells which covers the top and bottom of a leaf, and the outside of the stem and root
epidermis (plant)
removal from organisms of the waste products of metabolism (chemical reactions in cells including respiration) toxic materials and substances in excess of requirements
excretion
the offspring from a parent homozygous for a dominant allele and a parent homozygous for the recessive allele
F1 generation
the stage in population growth when numbers increase exponentially
exponential/log phase
the change in adaptive features of a population over time, as a result of natural selection
evolution
the breakdown of glucose by yeast, using anaerobic respiration; it produces carbon dioxide and alcohol
fermentation
the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes
fertilisation
a young organism before birth, once all the body organs have formed
fetus
an insoluble protein that forms fibres that help in blood clotting
fibrin
a soluble protein that is converted to insoluble fibrin when blood clots
fibrinogen
the stalk of a stamen
filament
the probability of an organism surviving and reproducing in the environment in which it is found
fitness
a term used to describe a cell that has lost a lot of water, becoming soft
flaccid
a space inside an ovary in which an egg develops
follicle
a chart showing the flow of energy (food) from one organism to the next beginning with a producer
food chain
a network of interconnected food chains showing the energy flow through part of an ecosystem
food web
the part of the retina where cones are most tightly packed
fovea
an ovary of a plant after fertilisation; it contains seeds
fruit
a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland which causes the development of eggs in the ovaries
FSH - follicle stimulating hormone
able to let most substances pass through
fully permeable
sex cells
gamete
the entry of oxygen into an organism’s body, and the loss of carbondioxide
gas exchange
a length of DNA that is the unit of heredity and codes for a specific protein
gene
a change in the base sequence of DNA
gene mutation
taking a gene from one species and putting it into another species
genetic engineering
the genetic makeup of an organism in terms of the alleles present
genotype
a group of similar and related species
genus (plural: genera)
a tangle of blood capillaries in a Bowman’s capsule in the kidney
glomerulus
a hormone secreted by the pancreas, which increases blood glucose level
glucagon
the polysaccharide that is used as an energy store in animal cells and fungi
glycogen
cells which secrete mucus
goblet cells
a response in which a plant grows towards or away from gravity
geotropism
the warming effect of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases, on the earth
greenhouse effect
a permanent increase in size and dry mass by an increase in cell number or cell size or both
growth
one of two sausage-shaped cells in the epidermis in plants, between which there is a hole called a stoma; can change shape to open and close the stoma
guard cell
the place where an organism lives
habitat
having one set of chromosomes
haploid
a blood vessel that transports blood from the digestive system to the liver
hepatic portal vein
an animal that gets its energy by eating plants
herbivore
the scar where a seed was attached to a fruit
hilum
the maintenance of a constant internal environment
homeostasis
the two chromosomes of a pair in a diploid cell; they have genes for the same features at the same positions
homologous chromosomes
having two identical alleles of a particular gene
homozygous - pure-breeding
a chemical substance produced by a gland, carried by the blood, which alters the activity of one or more specific target organs and is then destroyed by the liver
hormone
a plant adapted to live in wet conditions
hydrophyte
having too much glucose in the blood
hyperglycaemia
having too little glucose in the blood
hypoglycaemia
the movement of a young embryo into the lining of the uterus, and its attachment there
implantation
taking substances into the body through the mouth
ingestion
the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation
inheritance
substances that are not made by living organisms
inorganic
a hormone secreted by the pancreas, which reduces blood glucose level
insulin
muscles between the ribs, which help to produce breathing movements
intercostal muscles
an action taken automatically, without conscious thought
involuntary action
the coloured part of the eye, which controls the amount of light allowed through to the lens and retina
iris
groups of cells in the pancreas which secrete insulin and glucagon
islets of Langerhans
a series of questions whose answers lead you to the identificaton of an organism
key
one of the five large groups into which all living organisms are classified
kingdom
a deficiency disease caused by lake of protein in the diet
kwashiorkor
production of milk by mammary glands
lactation
the early stage of population growth, when numbers scarcely change
lag phase
the main part of a leaf
lamina
a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland which cause an egg to be released from an ovary
LH - luteinising hormone
a tough, waterproof material that makes up the walls of xylem vessels; wood is mostly made of this
lignin
something present int eh environment in such short supply that it restricts life processes
limiting factor
an enzyme that digests fats/lipids to fatty acids and glycerol
lipase
fats, oils and waxes
lipids
the fluid found inside lymph vessels, formed from tissue fluid
lymph
organs in which large numbers of white blood cells, which can destroy bacteria or toxins, collect
lymph nodes
an enzyme that breaks down maltose to glucose
maltase
a disaccharide produced by the digestion of starch
maltose
the central area in kidney
medulla
reduction division in which the chromosome number is halved from diploid to haploid
meiosis
the loss of the uterus lining through the vagina
menstruation
the tissues in the centre of a leaf, where photosynthesis takes place
mesophyll (palisade+spongy)
the chemical reactions that take place inside a living organism
metabolic reactions
a tiny hole in the testa of a seed
micropyle
an inorganic ion required in small quantities by living organisms
mineral
organelles in which aerobic respiration takes place, releasing energy for use by the cell
mitochondira
nuclear division giving rise to genetically identical cells in which the chromosome number is maintained by the exact duplication of chromosomes
mitosis
a large area of the smae crop plant
monoculture
a simple sugar; a carbohydrate whose molecules are made of one sugar unit
monosaccharide
an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place
movement
a substance that causes mutations
mutagen
a change in a gene or a chromosome
mutation
a fatty substance surrounding the axons of many neurones, enabling the nerve impulse to travel faster
myelin sheath
the greater chance of passing on of genes by the best-adapted organims
natural selection
a gland producing a sugary fluid, found in may insect- or bird-pollinated flowers
nectary
a mechanism used in homeostasis, in which a change in a parameter brings about actions that push it back towards normal
negative feedback
one of the thousands of tiny tubules in a kidney, in which urine is produced
nephron
a bundle of axons or dendrons belonging to many different neurones
nerve
an electrical signal that sweeps along a neurone
nerve impulse
a nerve cell; a cell specialised for the rapid transfer of electrical impulses
neurone
an addictive drug found in tobacco smoke
nicotine
bacteria that obtain their energy by converting ammonia or nitrite ions to nitrate ions
nitrifying bacteria
changing unreactive nitrogen gas into a more reactive nitrogen compound such as nitrate or ammonia
nitrogen fixation
excretory products containing nitrogen
nitrogenous waste
not able to be broken down by microorganisms
non-biodegradable
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
normal distribution
a large organelle in which chromosomes are found
nucleus
the part of the alimentary canal along which food travels from the mouth to the stomack
oesophagus
the temperature at whcih something happens most rapidly
optimum temperature
a structure made up of a group of tissues, working together to perform specific functions
organ
a group of organs with related functions, working together to perform body functions
organ system
a structure within a cell
organelle
a term used to describe substances that have been made by living organisms, or whose molecules contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
organic
a living thing
organism
the diffusion of water molecules from a region of high water potential to a region of lower water potential, through a partially permeable membrane
osmosis
an organ in which female gametes are made
ovary
the tube leading from an ovary to the uterus
oviduct
the release of an egg from an ovary
ovulation
a structure in the ovary of a flower which contains a female gamete
ovule
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
oxygen debt
blood containing a lot of oxygen; in humans, blood becomes _________ in the lungs
oxygenated blood
oxygenated
the upper mesophyll layer in a leaf, made up of rectangular cells containing many chloroplast
palisade layer
an organ lying close to the stomach, which is both an endocrine gland (producing insulin and glucagon) and an exocrine gland (producing ______ juice)
pancreas
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
pancreatic juice
allowing some molecules to pass through, but not others
partially permeable
a disease-causing organism
pathogen
in kidney the part from which the ureter emerges
pelvis
an antibiotic which destroys bacteria by damaging into cellwalls
penicillin
a protease enzyme found in the stomach
pepsin
all the nerves and receptors in the body, not including the brain or spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
rhythmic contractions of muscles that ripple along a tube
peristalsis
a leaf stalk
petiole
white blood cells that surround, engulf an digest pathogens
phagocytes
the physical or other features of an organism due to both its genotype and its enviroment
phenotype
long tubes made up of living cells with perforated end walls, which transport sucrose and other substances in plants
phloem tubes
the process by which plants manufacture carbohydrates from raw materials using energy from light
photosynthesis
a response in which a plant grows towards or away from the direction from which light is coming
phototropism
in mammals, an organ made up of tissues of both the mother and embryo, through which the mother’s nutrient and embryo’s bodies exchange nutrients and waste materials
placenta
a sticky film, containing bacteria, that builds up on teeth
plaque
the liquid part of blood, in which the cells float
plasma
the condition of a plant cell that has lost so much water that its cytoplasm shrinks and pulls the cell membrane away from the cell wall
plasmolysed
tiny fragments of cells found in blood, which help with clotting
platelets
the young shoot in an embryo plant
plumule
tough, resistant structures containing the male gametes of a flower
pollen grains
the transfer of pollen from the male part of the flower (anther of stamen) to the female part of the plant (stigma)
pollination
a carbohydrate whose molecules are made of hundreds of sugar units linked in long chains
polysaccharide
a group of organisms of one species living in the same area at the same time
population
an animal that kills and eats other animals
predator
herbivores
primary consumers
the process resulting from natural selection, by which population become more suited to their environment over many generation
process of adaptation
an organism that makes its own organic nutrients, usually using energy from sunlight, through photosynthesis
producer
the pregnancy hormone; a hormone secreted by the corpum luteum and the placenta which maintains the lining of the uterus
progesterone
a gland close to a male’s bladder, that secretes fluid in which sperm can swim
prostate gland
an enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of protein
protease
the stage of development during which sexual maturity is reached
puberty
relating to the lung
plumonary
a sideways-on graph, in which the size of the boxes represents the dry mass of organisms in each trophic level of a food chain
pyramid of biomass
a sideways-on graph, in which the size of the boxes represents the number of organisms in each trophic level of a food chain
pyramid of numbers
the young root in an embryo plant
radicle
a cell that is able to detect changes in the environment;often part of a sense organ
receptor
an allele that is only expressed when there is no dominant allele of the gene prosent
recessive
a sugar that turns Benedict’s solution brick red when heated
reducing sugar
a fast automatic response to a stimulus
reflex action
the arrangement of neurones along which an impulse passes during a reflex action
reflex arc
relating to the kdneys
renal
tiny organelles where protein synthesis taken place
ribosome
a light-sensitive cell in the retina, that responds to dim light
rod cell
a tough protective covering over the tip of a root
root cap
carnivores that eat herbivores
secondary consumers
an ovule after fertilisation; it contains an embryo plant
seed
an environmental factor that causes organisms with certain characteristics to have a better chance of survival than others
selectionpressure
the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma on the same plant, not necessarily the same flower
self-pollination
a mixture of sperm and fluids from the prostate gland and seminal vesicles
semen
glands that secrete fluid in which sperm can swim
seminal vesicles
groups of receptor cells, responding to specific stimuli; light, sound, touch, temperature and chemicals
sense organs
the ability to detect or sense changes in the environment/stimuli and to make appropriate responses
sensitivity
an infection that is transmitted via bodily fluids through sexual contact
sexually-transmitted infection
the process involving the fusion of haploid nuclei to form a diploid zygote and the production of genetically dissimilar offspring
sexual reproduction
a condition caused by a codominant allele of the gene that codes for haemoglobin, in which a person has two copies of the gene and suffers serious health problems
sickle cell anaemia
a monosacharide; a carbohydrate whose molecules are made of one sugar unit
simple sugar
a place to which substances are transported in phloem
sink
aliquid in which another substance is dissolved
solvent
a place from which substances are transported in phloem
source
a group of organisms with similar characteristics, which can interbreed with each other to produce fertile offspring
species
the number of different species living in a habitat
species diversity
a male gamete
sperm
a muscle surrounding a tube which can contract to close the tube
sphincter muscle
the tissue beneath the palisade layer in a leaf; it is made up of cells that contain chloroplasts and can photosynthesise, with many air spaces between them
spongy layer
the male parts of a flower
stamen
the polysaccharide that is used s an energy store in plant cells
starch
a stage when the numbers in a population remain approximately constant
stationary phase
a swollen part of a stem, which stores food
stem tuber
the part of a flower that receives pollen
stigma
a drug that makes the nervous system work faster
stimulant
a change in an organism’s surroundings that can be detected by its sense organs
stiulus
a gap between two guard cells, usually in the epidermis on the lower surface of a leaf
stoma
the connection between the stigma and ovary of a flower
style
the substance on which an enzyme acts
substrate
a carbohydrase found in the small intestine, which breaks down sucrose to glucose and frustose
sucrase
a disaccharide, non-reducing sugar, made of a glucose molecule and a fructose molecule linked together; the form in which carbohydrates are transported in the phloem of plants
sucrose
a ring of ligaments linking the ciliary muscles to the lens
suspensory ligaments
one which can be removed from the environment without it running out
sustainable resource
providing for the needs of an increasing human population without harming the environment
sustainable development
an organ that is affected by a hormone
target organ
strong inelastic cords of tissue, which attach muscles to bones; they are also found in the heart, where they attach the atrioventricular valves in the wall of the ventricle
tendons
breeding an offspring with the dominant phenotype with an organism with the recessive phenotype, the offspring of the cross can help to determine the genotype of the parent with the dominant phenotype
test cross
an organ in which sperm are made
testis (plural: testes)
a hormone secreted by the testes, which causes male characteristics
testosterone
a group of cells with similar structure, working together to perform a shared function
tissue
the fluid that surrounds all the cells in the body, formed from blood plasma that leaks out of capillaries
tissue luid
a poisonous substance
toxin
the tube that carries air from the nose and mouth down to the lungs
trachea
the movement of sucrose and amino acids in phloem, from regions of production to regions of storage or utilisation in respiration or growth
translocation
evaporation of water at the surfaces of the mesophyll cells followed by loss of water vapour from plant leaves, through the stomata
transpiration
the pathway of water from the root hairs of a plant, up the root and stem and out of the leaves into the atmosphere
transpiration stream
the position of an organism in a food chain, food web or pyramid of biomass, numbers of energy
trophic level
a plant growth response to a stimulus, in which the direction of growth is related to the direction of the stimulus
tropism
a term used to describe a plant cell that has absorbed water and has cytoplasm that is pressing outwards on the cell wall
turgid
a condition in which the pancreas is unable to make insulin
type 1 diabetes
an organ linking an embryo to the placenta, containing blood vessels (two arteries, one vein)
umbilical cord
make of one cell
unicellular
the main nitrogenous excretory product of mammals, produced in the liver from excess
urea
a tube that leads from a kidney to the bladder
ureter
a tube that leads from the bladder to the outside
urethra
a solution of urea and other excretory products in water, produced by the kidneys
urine
differences between individuals of the same species
variation
a vein in a plant containing exylem vessels and phloem tubes
vascular bundle
narrowing of blood vessels
vasoconstriction
widening of blood vessels
vasodilation
a blood vessel that carries blood towards the heart
vein
a very small vacuole (space inside a cell)
vesicle
a tiny finger-like process in the inner wall of the small intestine; _____ increase the surface area for digestion and absorption
villus (plural: villi)
an action taken as the result of a conscious decision
voluntary action
a measure of the tendency for water to move out of a solution; the more water in the solution, the greater its ________
water potiential
a plant adapted to live in dry conditions
xerophyte
the diploid cell produced when two gametes fuse
zygote
chisel shaped, for biting off pieces of food
incisors
very similar to incisors in humans
canines
have wide surfaces for grinding food
premolars
like premolars, are used for grinding
molars
Animal with a back bone
Vertebrates
Vertebrates with scaly skin, have gills and fins
Fish
Vertebrates with moist, scale-less skin. Have eggs laid in water, larva lives in water. Adult often lives on land. Larva has gills, adult has lungs
Amphibians
Vertebrates with scaly skin, lay eggs with rubbery shells
Reptiles
Vertebrates with feathers. Forelimbs have become wings. Lay eggs with hard shell. Endothermic. Have a beak. Heart has four chambers
Birds
Vertebrates with hair. Have a placenta. Young feed on milk from mammary glands. Endothermic. Have a diaphragm. Heart has four chambers. Have different types of teeth
Mammals
Have several Paris of jointed legs. No backbone. Have exoskeleton
Arthropods
Arthropods with more than four pairs of jointed legs. Not millipedes or centipedes. Breathe through gills
Crustaceans
Arthropods with four pairs of jointed legs. Breathe through gills called book lungs
Arachnids
Arthropods with three pairs of jointed legs. Two pairs of wings (one or both may be vestigial). Breath through tracheae. Body divided into head, thorax and abdomen.
Insects
Body consists of many segments. Each segment has jointed legs
Myrlapods
Have roots, stems and leaves. Have xylem and phloem. Reproduce by producing seeds. Seeds produced inside ovary, inside flower
Flowering plants
Have strap-shaped leaves with parallel veins. Have one cotyledon inside each seed. Number of petals in the multiples of 3
Monocotyledonous
Have leaves which can be board and have a network of branched veins. Have two cotyledons. Petals number multiples of 4 or 5
Dicotyledonous
Animals with bodies made up of ring-like segments
Annelids
Animals with soft, unsegmented bodies. May have a shell.
Molluscs
Animals with long, thin, unsegmented bodies
Nematodes
Pain in joint and muscles, bleeding from gums and under skin (sailers)
Scurvy
Soft bones that deformed (bow legs) (children in industrial area)
Rickets
Not enough red blood cells, tissue not enough oxygen
Anaemia
Caused by eating unbalanced diet
Malnutrition
Lake of protein, when children stopped breast milk (9 months~2 years). Underweight. Swollen abdomen.
Kwashiorkor
