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Biology > organisation > Flashcards

organisation Flashcards

1
Q

What is a cell?

A

The basic building block of all living organisms

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2
Q

What is a tissue?

A

A group of cells with a similar structure and function

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3
Q

What is an organ?

A

A group of tissues working together to perform a specific function

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4
Q

What is muscular tissue’s function in the stomach?

A

Contracts and relaxes to churn food and digestive juices in the stomach together

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5
Q

What is the function of glandular tissue in the stomach?

A

Secretes digestive juices that break down food through secretory cells

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6
Q

What is the function of epithelial tissue in the stomach?

A

Covers the inside and outside of the stomach

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7
Q

What is the role of the pancreas?

A

Secretes hormones to control blood sugar (insulin) and secretes enzymes which help digest food

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8
Q

How is the small intestine adapted for digestion?

A

Contains villi, has a good blood supply, and a short diffusion distance to blood vessels

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9
Q

What is the purpose of carbohydrates in the human diet?

A

Breaks down in glucose which is used in cellular respiration to provide energy for metabolic reactions in the body

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10
Q

What are carbohydrates made up of?

A

Simple sugars

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11
Q

What is the function of lipids in the human diet?

A

Energy storage

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12
Q

What are lipids made up of?

A

Three molecules of fatty acids with one molecule of glycerol

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13
Q

What is the function of proteins in the human diet?

A

They make up hormones, enzymes, and haemoglobin

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14
Q

What are proteins made up of?

A

Amino acids

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15
Q

What is the food test for starch?

A

Iodine test (red –> blue-black)

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16
Q

What is the food test for sugars?

A

Benedict’s solution (blue –> brick red)

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17
Q

What is the food test for protein?

A

Biuret test (blue –> purple)

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18
Q

What is the food test for lipids?

A

Ethanol test (clear –> cloudy)

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19
Q

What is an enzyme?

A

A biological catalyst

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20
Q

How do enzymes work (using the lock and key theory)?

A

The enzyme has an active site complementary to the substrate, which binds and is then broken down into products

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21
Q

What is a human’s metabolism?

A

The sum of all the reactions in a cell or the body

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22
Q

What enzymes break down carbohydrates and where are they produced?

A

Carbohydrases, produced in the pancreas, small intestine, and salivary glands

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23
Q

What enzymes break down proteins, and where are they produced?

A

Proteases, produced in the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine

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24
Q

What enzymes break down lipids, and where are they produced?

A

Lipases, produced in the pancreas and small intestines

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25
Q

How does temperature affect enzyme action?

A

Rate of reaction increases with temperature until optimum temperature (around 37°C), after which enzymes start to denature

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26
Q

What is the optimum pH for amylase enzymes?

A

Relatively alkaline, around 7 or 8

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27
Q

What is the optimum pH level for pepsin?

A

Relatively acidic, around 2

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28
Q

What is the function of bile?

A

Emulsifies fats and neutralizes acid in the stomach

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29
Q

What is the function of plasma in the blood?

A

Transports all blood cells and waste products around the body

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30
Q

What is the function of red blood cells in the blood?

A

Transporting oxygen from the lungs to the cells

31
Q

How are red blood cells adapted to carry out their function?

A

Biconcave shape, contain haemoglobin, no nuclei

32
Q

What is the function of white blood cells in the body?

A

Form part of the body’s immune system, defending against harmful microorganisms

33
Q

What is the function of platelets in the blood?

A

Blood clotting to stop wounds from bleeding

34
Q

What is the function of arteries?

A

To carry blood away from the heart

35
Q

How are arteries structured to carry out their function?

A

Thick walls and small lumen

36
Q

What is the function of veins?

A

To carry blood toward the heart

37
Q

How are veins structured to carry out their function?

A

Thin walls, large lumen, and valves to prevent backflow

38
Q

What is the function of capillaries?

A

Link arteries and veins, allow diffusion of substances

39
Q

How are capillaries structured to carry out their function?

A

Walls are one cell thick

40
Q

What is a double circulatory system?

A

A system where blood passes through the heart twice in one complete circuit

41
Q

Why do humans need a double circulatory system?

A

Higher efficiency for oxygenated blood to reach body areas quickly

42
Q

What is coronary heart disease?

A

Narrowing of coronary arteries, reducing oxygen to the heart

43
Q

What is a stent?

A

A metal mesh placed in a coronary artery to keep it open

44
Q

What is bypass surgery?

A

Replacing blocked coronary arteries with parts of vein from other body parts

45
Q

What are statins?

A

Medications that reduce blood cholesterol levels

46
Q

What is the natural pacemaker?

A

A group of cells in the right atrium that controls heart rhythm

47
Q

What is an artificial pacemaker?

A

An electrical device that sends impulses to stimulate the heart to beat

48
Q

What is the function of alveoli?

A

Allow diffusion of gases into the blood/lungs

49
Q

How are alveoli adapted to carry out their function?

A

Good blood supply, one cell thick walls, spherical shape, large surface area

50
Q

What is the function of a leaf’s waxy cuticle layer?

A

Prevents excess water loss

51
Q

What is the function of a plant’s epidermal tissue layers?

A

Covers surfaces and protects the leaf

52
Q

What is the function of the palisade mesophyll layer in a leaf?

A

Contains chloroplasts for photosynthesis

53
Q

What is the function of the spongy mesophyll layer in a leaf?

A

Contains air spaces and chloroplasts for gas diffusion and photosynthesis

54
Q

What is the function of stomata in a leaf?

A

Allow gases/water vapour to enter or exit the leaf

55
Q

What is the function of guard cells in a leaf?

A

Control the opening and closing of stomata

56
Q

What is translocation?

A

The movement of dissolved sugars from the leaves to the rest of a plant

57
Q

What are uses of glucose in living organisms?

A

Cellular respiration, makes cellulose, can be converted into starch

58
Q

What is transpiration?

A

The process by which plants lose water through stomata

59
Q

What is the transpiration stream?

A

Water moves into root hair cells, up to the stem, and into leaves, replacing lost water

60
Q

What factors increase the rate of transpiration in plants?

A

Higher temperatures, dry conditions, windy conditions, high light intensities

61
Q

What adaptations do plants have to reduce transpiration rates?

A

Wilting, closing stomata, thick waxy cuticle layer

62
Q

How can you measure transpiration rates?

A

Using a potometer to measure water uptake by a plant

63
Q

What is health?

A

The state of physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing

64
Q

What are possible risk factors for non-communicable diseases?

A

Diet, obesity, fitness levels, smoking, alcohol intake

65
Q

What is a causal mechanism?

A

Something that explains how one factor influences another through a biological process

66
Q

What is a tumour?

A

An abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth

67
Q

What is a benign tumour?

A

Growths of abnormal cells contained in one place, usually membrane-bound

68
Q

What is a malignant tumour?

A

Abnormal cell growths that spread around the body, often referred to as cancer

69
Q

What are some possible causal links to cancer?

A

Genetics, carcinogens, ionising radiation

70
Q

How can cancer be treated?

A

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy

71
Q

What can smoking during pregnancy lead to?

A

Premature births or stillbirths due to oxygen deprivation

72
Q

How does smoking affect the lungs?

A

Tar build-up leads to COPD, cilia stop working, increasing infection risk

73
Q

How can excessive alcohol intake affect the liver?

A

Can lead to liver cirrhosis and loss of vital functions

74
Q

How can alcohol affect pregnancies?

A

Can result in stillbirths, premature births, or fetal alcohol syndrome

Biology (12 decks)

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