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Biology > Organisation > Flashcards

Organisation Flashcards

1
Q

What is a cell?

A

The basic building block of a living organsim

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2
Q

What is a tissue?

A

A group of cells with a similar structure and function working together. For example, muscular tissue contracts to bring about movement

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3
Q

What is an organ?

A

A collection of tissues working together to perform a specific function. For example, the stomach contains glandular, muscular and epithelial tissues

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4
Q

What is an organ system?

A

A group of organs working together to perform specific functions. For example, the digestive system contains organs such as the stomach, the small intestine and the large intestine

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5
Q

What is the main function of the digestive system?

A

To digest food and absorb the nutrients obtained from digestion

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6
Q

What is the role of the pancreas and the salivary gland in the digestive system?

A

The pancreas and the salivary gland are glands which produce digestive juices containing enzymes

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7
Q

What is the role of the stomach in the digestive system?

A

Produces hydrochloric acid - which kills any bacteria present and provides the optimum acidic pH for the protease enzyme to function

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8
Q

What is the role of the small intestine in the digestive system?

A

The small intestine is the site where soluble food molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream

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9
Q

What is the role of the liver in the digestive system?

A

Produces bile (stored in the gallbladder which emulsifies lipids and allows the lipase enzyme to work more efficiently

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10
Q

What is the role of the large intestine in the digestive system?

A

Absorbs water from undigested food, producing faeces

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11
Q

What is the role of enzymes in the digestive system?

A

Enzymes act as biological catalysts which speed up the rate of biological reactions (the breakdown of food) without being used up

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12
Q

How does the shape of an enzyme affect its function?

A

Enzymes have a specific active site which is complementary to their substrate

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13
Q

What is metabolism?

A

The sum of all the reactions in a cell or an organism

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14
Q

What types of metabolic reactions do enzymes catalyse?

A

Building larger molecules from smaller molecules eg. glucose to starch.
Changing one molecule to another eg. glucose to fructose.
Breaking down larger molecules into smaller molecules eg. carbohydrates to glucose

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15
Q

What is the lock and key hypothesis of enzyme function?

A

The shape of the enzyme active site and the substrate are complementary, so can bind together to form an enzyme-substrate complex

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16
Q

How does temperature affect enzyme action?

A

Up to a certain point, increasing temperature increases enzyme action, as molecules have a higher kinetic energy. Above a certain temperature, the shape of the active site is altered and the enzyme becomes denatured, so it can no longer catalyse the reaction. The optimum temperature is around 37 degrees

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17
Q

How does pH affect enzyme function?

A

The optimum pH for most enzymes is 7 (apart from proteases in the stomach). If the pH is too extreme, the shape of the active site may be altered and the enzyme may no longer work

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18
Q

Where are carbohydrases, proteases and lipases produced in the body?

A

Carbohydrases: amylase - salivary gland and pancreas; maltase - small intestine.
Proteases: pepsin - stomach; otheres - pancreas and small intestine.
Lipases: pancreas and small intestine

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19
Q

What is the role of carbohydrases in the digestive system?

A

Carbohydrases break down carbohydrates into monosaccharides and disaccharides. Amylase breaks down starch into maltose, and maltase breaks down maltose into glucose

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20
Q

What is the role of proteases in the digestive system?

A

Proteases break down proteins into amino acids

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21
Q

What is the role of lipases in the digestive system?

A

Lipases break down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol

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22
Q

How are the products of digestion used?

A

They are used to build bigger molecules such as carbohydrates and proteins. Glucose is used as a substrate in respiration

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23
Q

Where is bile made and stored in the body?

A

Bile is made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder

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24
Q

What is the role of bile in the digestive system?

A

Bile is an alkaline substance which neutralises the hydrochloric acid secreted by the stomach.
Bile emulsifies lipids to form droplets - this increases the surgace area for the lipase enzyme to work on

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25
Q

What is the heart?

A

An organ that pumps blood around the body

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26
Q

What is the purpose of the circulatory system?

A

Caries oxygen and other useful substances to bodily tissues, and removes waste substances

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27
Q

How does the double circulatory system work?

A

One pathway carries blood from the heart to the lungs - where the gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
One pathway carries blood from the heart to the tissues

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28
Q

Where does blood pumped by the right ventricle go?

A

The lungs

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29
Q

Where does blood pumped by the left ventricle go?

A

Body tissues

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30
Q

Why is the double circulatory system important?

A

It makes the circulatory system more efficient - for example, oxygenated blood can be pumped around the body at a higher pressure by the left ventricle

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31
Q

How many chambers does the heart have and what are they called?

A

4 - right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle

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32
Q

Why is the wall of the left ventricle thicker?

A

The left ventricle has to pump blood at a higher pressure around the whole body

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33
Q

What are the four main blood vessels associated with the heart?

A

Aorta (left) - carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body
Pulmonary vein (left) - carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
Vena cava (right) - carries deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart
Pulmonary artery (right) - carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs

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34
Q

What is the purpose of valves in the heart?

A

prevent the backflow of blood

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35
Q

What is the purpose of coronary arteries?

A

Coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygenated blood

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36
Q

Describe the process of blood flow through the heart

A

Blood enters the right atrium via the vena cava, and the left atrium via the pulmonary vein.
The atria contract, forcing blood into the ventricles and causing valves to shut.
After the ventricles contract, blood in the right ventricle enters the pulmonary artery (to the lungs) and blood in the left ventricle enters the aorta (to the body)

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37
Q

What is the approximate value of the natural resting heart rate?

A

70 beats per minute

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38
Q

How is the heart rate controlled?

A

Heart rate is controlled by a group of cells in the right atrium which act as a pacemaker. They release waves of electrical activity which cause the heart muscle to contract

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39
Q

How can an abormal heart rhythm be treated?

A

Irregular heart rhythms can be treated using an artificial pacemaker, which sends out electrical signals to correct the heart’s rhythm

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40
Q

What are the three types of blood vessel in the body?

A

Arteries
Veins
Capillaries

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41
Q

How are arteries adapted for their function?

A

Function: carry blood away from the heart.
Thick muscle layer - adds strength to resist high pressure.
Thick elastic layer - allows arteries to stretch and recoil - in order to withstand high pressure

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42
Q

How are veins adapted for their function?

A

Function: carry blood towards the heart
Wide lumen - enables low pressure
Valves - prevent backflow of blood

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43
Q

How are capillaries adapted for their function?

A

Function: enable transfer of substances between the blood and tissues.
Walls are one cell thick - short diffusion path.
Permeable walls - substances can diffuse across.
Narrow lumen - blood moves slowly - more time for diffusion

44
Q

How would you calculate the rate of blood flow?

A

Volume of blood / number of minutes

45
Q

Where are the lungs found in the body?

A

The lungs are located in the thorax (within the chest). They are protected by the ribcage and separated from the rest of the abdomen by the diaghragm

46
Q

What tissues make up the gas exchange system?

A

Trachea
Intercostal muscles
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli
Diaphragm

47
Q

Explain how the lungs are ventilated by the action of intercostal muscles

A

Intercostal muscles contract
Ribcage moves upwards and outwards
Diaphragm flattens and volume of the chest increases
Increased volume results in decresed pressure
Air is drawn into lungs down pressure gradient

The inverse occurs when air moves out of the lungs

48
Q

Describe how gas exchange occurs at the alveoli

A

Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the capillary bloodstream down its concentration gradient.
Carbon dioxide diffuses from the capillary into the alveoli down its concentration gradient

49
Q

Describe how alveoli are adapted for gas exchange

A

Small and arranged in clusters - larger surface area
Rich blood supply - maintains concentration gradient
Thin alveolar wall - short diffusion pathway

50
Q

How would you calculate the breathing rate

A

number of breaths / number of minutes

51
Q

What substance carries the different components of blood around the body?

A

plasma

52
Q

What substances are transported by plasma?

A

Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets
Carbon dioxide
Urea
Products of digestion

53
Q

What is plasma?

A

A yellow liquid within blood that transports substances around the body

54
Q

What is the purpose of red blood cells in blood?

A

Transport of oxygen around the body

55
Q

How are red blood cells adapted for their function?

A

Biconcave shape - increased surface area to volume ratio.
No nucleus - more room for haemoglobin to bind oxygen.
Contain haemoglobin - binds to oxygen

56
Q

What is the purpose of white blood cells in blood?

A

They form part of the immune system, which protect the body from invading pathogens

57
Q

How are white blood cells adapted for their function?

A

Have a nucleus - contains DNA which codes for proteins.
Can produce antibodies.
Can produce antitoxins.
Can engulf and digest pathogens (phagocytosis)

58
Q

What is the purpose of platelets in blood?

A

Platelets are small cell fragments which aid the clotting of blood at the site of a wound

59
Q

Why is the function of platelets important?

A

Platelets aid in the process of blood clotting (conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin). As a result, red blood cells are trapped in the fibrin network, forming a clot which prevents excessive bleeding. Scab formation (after the clot has dried) prevents bacteria from entering the wound.

60
Q

What is coronary heart disease?

A

Coronary heart disease occurs when the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle become blocked with a buildup of fatty material. This restricts the supply of oxygen to the heart, possibly leading to a heart attack or death.

61
Q

What is a stent and how does it work?

A

A stent is a metal mesh tube that is inserted into a blocked artery so that it remains open. The stent is inflated using a balloon, which is later removed to allow blood to flow freely

62
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of stents?

A

Advantages:
insertion can be carried out without general anaesthetic
Quick recovery time
Lower the risk of a heart attack

Disadvantages:
Risk of postoperative infection
Risk of blood clots at site of stent

63
Q

What are statins?

A

Statins are drugs which reduce the level of LDL (bad) cholesterol which contributes to the development of coronary heart disease

64
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of statins?

A

Advantages:
Reduce risk of strokes, coronary heart disease and heart attacks
Increase level of HDL (good) cholesterol

Disadvantages:
Have to be taken continuously
May have side effects
Effect may not be immediate

65
Q

What is a heart bypass surgery?

A

A surgery where blocked coronary arteries are replaced with sections of veins taken from other parts of the body

66
Q

What are the consequences of leaky heart valves?

A

Blood flows in the wrong direction, causing the heart to become less efficient. Patients may become breathless and die as a result

67
Q

What types of valves can replace leaky valves?

A

Mechanical - made of metal or polymers
Biological - taken from animals (pigs, sometimes humans)

68
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical valves?

A

Advantages:
last for a very long time

Disadvantages:
Need to take medication to prevent blood clotting around valve

69
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of biological valves?

A

advantages:
work very well - no medication required

Disadvantages:
only lasts 12-15 years

70
Q

What is the purpose of an artificial heart?

A

artificial hearts are intended to support a patient’s heart while they wait for a suitable donor heart

71
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of artificial hearts?

A

advantages:
less likely to be rejected by immune system
Allows damaged heart to rest to help recovery

Disadvantages:
risk of infection due to surgery
Risk of blood clots
Have to take blood-thinning drugs

72
Q

What is health?

A

Health is the state of physical and mental wellbeing

73
Q

What is a communicable disease?

A

A disease caused by a pathogen which can be transmitted from one person to another eg. the flu

74
Q

What is a non-communicable disease?

A

A disease which can not be transmitted from person to person eg cancer

75
Q

How can diet affect health?

A

Too little food / lack of nutrition - anaemia, vitamin deficiencies
Too much food / too much unhealthy food - obsity, type 2 diabetes

76
Q

How can stress affect health?

A

Prolonged stress is linked to a wide range of health problems including heart diseases, cancers and mental health issues

77
Q

How can life situations affect health?

A

Many life factors such as location, gender, financial status, ethnic group and healthcare provision can impact a person’s mental and physical health

78
Q

Give examples of how health problems can interact (4)

A

infection with certain viruses can lead to cancer eg. hepatitis infections can lead to liver cancer
A compormised immune system (eg. due to cancer) can lead to a higher risk of infection with communicable diseases.
Immune reactions caused by a pathogen can trigger allergic reactions.
Problems with physical health can lead to mental health issues

79
Q

What is a risk factor?

A

A risk factor is an aspect of a person’s lifestyle or a substance found in the body or the environment which can increase the risk of a disease

80
Q

What is a causal mechanism?

A

A mechanism which demonstrates how one factor biologically influences another

81
Q

How do diet, smoking and exercise affect the development of cardiovascular disease?

A

Diet: high levels of LDL cholesterol causes arteries to become blocked, increasing blood pressure and the risk of a heart attack
Smoking: nicotine increases heart rate; other chemicals damage the artery lining and increase blood pressure.
Exercise: lowers blood pressure, reducing strain on the heart

82
Q

How does obesity affect the development of type 2 diabetes?

A

Obesity is strongly linked with the onset of type 2 diabetes - a disease in which the body stops responding to insulin

83
Q

How does alcohol affect liver and brain function?

A

Excessive long-term alcohol use may lead to liver cirrhosis (scanning of the liver).
Increases risk of liver cancer.
Damages brain tissue and nerve cells

84
Q

How does smoking affect the development of lung disease and lung cancer?

A

Tar in tobacco can damage the alveoli of the lungs, leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Tar also damages the cells which line the lungs, leading to lung cancer.

85
Q

How do smoking and alcohol affect unborn babies?

A

Carbon monoxide from tobacco smoke reduces the amound of oxygen the foetus receives, which can lead to premature birth or stillbirth.
Alcohol passes across the placenta and damages the developing foetus. Once born, the baby may have a number of deformities and health problems as part of foetal alcohol syndrome.

86
Q

How do carcinogens affect the development of cancer?

A

Ionising is a type of carcinogen which can cause mutations in DNA, potentially leading to cancer

87
Q

What is cancer?

A

Cancer is the development of a tumour as a result of uncontrolled cell division

88
Q

What is a benign tumour?

A

A tumour that is contained in one location, usully within a membrane.
They are not cancerous and do not invade other parts of the body.
Can grow large very quickly - may cause damage to another organ

89
Q

What is a malignant tumour?

A

A tumour that can spread around the body via the blood and lymphatic system.
Can invade other tissues (metastasis).
Cells divide more rapidly and have a longer lifespan.
Disrupts healthy tissues and may lead to death.

90
Q

Give examples of factors which can lead to cancer

A

Genetics - certain genes increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Smoking
Obesity
Ionising radiation - UV light and X-rays
Viral infections - HPV and cervical cancer

91
Q

How is epidermal tissue adapted for its function?

A

Epidermal tissue covers the entire plant. It has a waxy cuticle which helps reduce water loss from the leaf surface

92
Q

How is palisade mesophyll tissue adapted for its function?

A

Palisade mesophyll tissue contains lots of chlroplasts which allows photosynthesis to progress at a rapid rate

93
Q

How is spongy mesophyll tissue adapted for its function?

A

Spongy mesophyll tissue has lots of air spaces which allow gases (including oxygen and carbon dioxide) to diffuse in and out

94
Q

How is xylem adapted for its function?

A

Made up of dead cells which form a continuous hollow tube - allows the movement of water and mineral iions from the roots to the leaves.
Strengthened by lignin - makes the vessel strong and waterproof.
Has bordered pits - allow minerals to be transported to specific places.

95
Q

How is the phloem adapted for its function?

A

Made up of elongated living cells
Cells have sieve plates that connect them together - cell sap can move through plates into other cells.
Sieve tube cells have few organelles to allow the efficient transport of substances.

96
Q

How is meristem tissue adapted for its function?

A

Made up of stem cells which can differentiate into many different cell types, allowing the plant to grow.

97
Q

What tissues does the leaf organ contain?

A

Epidermis
Palisade mesophyll
Spongy mesophyll
xylem
Ploem
Guard cells

98
Q

What is the fuction of guard cells?

A

Guard cells control the opening and closing of the stomata, according to the water content of the plant.

99
Q

How are stomata adapted for their function?

A

Stomata allow the control of gaseous exchange and water loss from the leaf.
More stomata on the base of the leaf - minimises water loss as this side is cooler and shaded.
Have guard cells which control their opening and closing

100
Q

How are root hair cells adapted for their function?

A

Root hair cells allow the uptake of water and mineral ions from the soil.
Large surface area - maximises rate of absorption.
Contain lost of mitochondria = release energy for active transport of mineral ions

101
Q

What is translocation?

A

Translocation is the movement of dissolved sugars from the leaves to other parts of the plant

102
Q

What is transpiration?

A

Transpitation is the evaporation of water vapour from the surface of a plant

103
Q

How does transpiration work?

A

Water evaporates from the leaf surface via the stomata
Water molecules cohere together - more water is pulled up the xylem in an unbroken column.
More water is taken up from the soil - creating a continuous transpiration stream

104
Q

How does temperature affect the rate of transpiration?

A

Increasing the temperature increases the rate of transpiration.
Higher rate of evaporation and diffusion of water - therefore rate of transpiration is increased

105
Q

How does humidity affect the rate of transpiration?

A

Increasing relative humidity decreases the rate of transpiration.
High relative humidity will reduce the water vapour concentration gradient. The rate of evaporation will decrease, and so will the rate of transpiration.

106
Q

How does wind speed affect the rate of transpiratioin?

A

Increasing wind speed/air movement increases the rate of transpiration.
Increased air movement lowers water vapour concentration outside of the leaf. This increases the water vapour concentration gradient, thereby increasing the rate of evaporation and transpiration

107
Q

How does light intensity affect the rate of transpiration?

A

Increasing the light intensity increases the rate of transpiration.
The rate of photosynthesis increases, so more stomata open, This allows the rate of evaporation to increase, increasing the rate of transpiration.

Biology (7 decks)

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