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Key Concepts in Biology Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two type of cells?

A
  • Eukaryotic
  • Prokaryotic
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2
Q

What is the difference between a eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell?

A

A eukaryotic cell contains a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, a prokayotic cell doesn’t.

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3
Q

What are the five components both animal and plants cells have?

A
  • Nucleus
  • Cytoplasm
  • Cell membrane
  • Mitochondria
  • Ribosomes
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4
Q

How is genetic information stored in a eukaryotic cell?

A

Within the nucleus, arranged in chromosomes.

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5
Q

Other than storing genetic information, what is the function of the nucleus?

A

Controls cellular activities.

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6
Q

What’s the structure of the cytoplasm?

A
  • Fluid component of the cell
  • Contains organelles, enzymes and dissolved ions and nutrients
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7
Q

What is the function of the cytoplasm?

A

Site of cellular reaction, e.g. first stage of respiration

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8
Q

What is the function of the cell membrane?

A

Controls the entry and exit of materials into and out of the cell

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9
Q

What is the function of the mitochondria?

A

Site of later stages of aerobic respiration in which ATP is produced

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10
Q

What is the function of the ribosomes?

A

Joins amino acids in a specific order during translation

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11
Q

Which organelles are found in plant cells only?

A
  • Large, permanent vacuole
  • Cell wall
  • Chloroplasts
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12
Q

What is the cell wall made of?

A

Cellulose

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13
Q

What is the function of the cell wall?

A
  • Provides strength
  • Prevents the cell bursting when water enters by osmosis
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14
Q

What does the permanent vacuole contain?

A

A solution of salts, sugars, and organic acids

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15
Q

What is the function of the permant vacuole?

A

Supports the cell, maintaininf its turgidity

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16
Q

What is the function of the chloroplasts?

A

Site of photosynthesis

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17
Q

When looking at a cell using a light microscope, why do chloroplasts appear green?

A

Contain chlorophyll, a green pigment

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18
Q

Which six organelles are found in prokaryotic cells?

A
  • Chromosomal DNA
  • Plasmid DNA
  • Cell Wall
  • Cell Membrane
  • Ribosomes
  • Flagella
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19
Q

How is genetic information stored in a prokaryotic cell?

A

Found free within the cytoplasm as:
* Chromosomal DNA (single large loop of circular DNA)
* Plasmid DNA

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20
Q

What are plasmids?

A
  • Small, circular loops of DNA found free in the cytoplasm and separate from the main DNA
  • Carry genes that provide genetic advantages, e.g. antibiotic resistance
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21
Q

What is the prokaryotic cell wall composed of?

A

Peptidogylycan

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22
Q

What is a flagellum?

A
  • Long, rotating, ‘whip-like’ protrusion
  • Enables bacteria to move
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23
Q

What is a haploid cell?

A

A cell that contains a single copy of each chromosome (half the number of chromosomes).

24
Q

What is a diploid cell?

A

A cell that contains two copies of each chromosome (full set of chromosomes).

25
What are gametes?
* Reproductive cells * Haploid cells
26
What is sexual reproduction in terms of chromosome number?
* Two haploid gametes fuse * Resulting embryo has two chromosomes for each gene and two copies of each allele: a diploid
27
How are egg cells adapted to their function?
* Haploid nucleus contains genetic material * Mitochondria in cytoplasm produce energy for the developing embryo * Cytoplasm contains nutrients after the developing embryo * Cell membrane hardens after fertilisation, preventing the entry of other sperm ans ensuring the zygote is diploid
28
How are sperm cells adapted to their function?
* Haploid nucleus contains genetic information * Tail enables movement * Mitochondria provide energy for tail movement * Acrosome contains enzymes that digest the egg cell membrane
29
Where are ciliated epithelial cells found?
Found lining the surface of structures such as respiratory tract and uterus
30
What are the function of ciliated epithelial cells lining the airways?
Move in syncronised waves to beat mucus (containing dirt pathogens) up to the back of the throat when it can be swallowed.
31
What is magnification?
The number of times bigger an image appears compared to the size of the specimen.
32
How can the total magnification of an image be calulated from lens powers?
total magnification = eyepiece lens magnification x objective lens magnification
33
How can the magnification of an image be calculated?
magnification = size of image / size of specimen
34
What is resolution?
The smallest distance between two objects that can be distinguished.
35
How does a light microscope work?
Passes a beam of light through a specimen which travels through the eyepiece lens, allowing the specimen to be observed.
36
What are the four advantages of light microscopes?
* Inexpensive * Easy to use * Portable * Observe both dead and living specimens
37
What is the disadvantage of light microscopes?
limited resolution
38
How does an electron microscope work?
It uses a beam of electrons which are focused using magnets. The electrons hit a fluorescent screen with emits visible light, producing an image.
39
What are the two types of electron microscope?
* Transmission electron microscope (TEM) * Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
40
What is the advantage of electron microscopes?
Greater magnification and resolution
41
Why do electron microscopes have a greater magnification and resolution?
They use a beam of electrons which has a shorter wavelength that photons of light.
42
How have electron microscopes enabled scientists to develop their understanding of cells?
* Allow small sub-cellular structures to be observed in detail * Enable scientists to develop more accurate explanations about how cell structure realtes to function
43
What are the disadvantages of electron microscopes?
* Expensive * Large so less portable * Require training to use * Only dead specimens can be observed
44
How do you convert from m to mm?
x 1,000
45
How do you convert from m to um?
x 1,000,000
46
How do you convert from m to nm?
x 1,000,000,000
47
How do you convert from nm to m?
/ 1,000,000,000
48
How do you convert from m to pm?
x 1000,000,000,000
49
What are enzymes?
Biological catalysts that increase the rate of a chemical reaction without being permanently altered themselves.
50
What is an advantage of enzymes in the body?
They enable cellular reactions to take place at lower temperatures
51
What is the active site of an enzyme?
The region of an enzyme to which a substrate molecule binds and the reaction takes place
52
Why are enzymes described at having 'high specificity' for their substrate?
Only substrates with a specific, complementary shape can fit into an enzyme's active site.
53
What's the lock and key model?
* Substrate collides with the active site of an enzyme * Substrate binds, enzyme-substrate complex forms * Substrate converted to products * Products released from the active site which is now free to bind to another substrate
54
What factors affect the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction?
* Temperature * pH * Substrate concentration
55
How does increasing the temperature initially affect the rate of an enzyme controlled reaction?
* As temperature increases molecules have more KE * Movement of molecules increases * Probability of successful collision increases * More enzyme-substrate complexes form * Rate of reaction increases
56
How does increasing the temperature above the optimum affect the rate of an enzyme controlled reaction?
* Temperature increases above the optimum * Increased vibrations break bonds in enzyme's structure * Active site changes shape, enzyme is denatured * No more enzyme-substrate complexes can form * Rate of reaction decreases
57

Biology (3 decks)

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