Ryan's Deck Flashcards
To learn biology.
Plasmid
A genetic structure in a cell that can replicate independently of the chromosomes, typically a small circular DNA strand in the cytoplasm of a bacterium or protozoan. Plasmids are much used in the laboratory manipulation of genes.
PCR
Known as Polymerase Chain Reaction. It is the laboratory production of numerous copies of a gene by separating the two strands of the DNA containing the gene segment, marking its location with a primer, and using a DNA polymerase to assemble a copy alongside each segment. This happens again and again.
Gel Electrophoresis
It is the technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or protein molecules using an electric field applied to a gel matrix based on their size. Smaller molecules move more quickly than larger ones, so they should be further along the gel.
DNA Ligase
DNA ligase is basically an enzyme that repairs single-stranded discontinuities in double stranded DNA molecules. It seals the two DNA fragments into a recombinant DNA molecule.
ETC
An electron transport chain (ETC) couples a reaction between an electron donor (such as NADH) and an electron acceptor (such as O2) to the transfer of H+ ions across a membrane, through a set of mediating biochemical reactions. This releases ATP.
Passive Transport
Diffusion across the cell membrane (phospholipid bilayer) without the need of energy. This can be with the help of proteins, such as aquaporins or other transport proteins. This consists of facilitated diffusion and osmosis.
Active Transport
It is the movement of a substance across the cell membrane against the concentration gradient (from low to high concentration). This differs from passive transport due to its necessity for ATP, or energy. An example is the Sodium-Potassium Pump.
Convergent Evolution
Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages.
Divergent Evolution
It is the divergence of a single population or species into two or more descendant species, hence “diverging”.
Hardy-Weinberg Theorem
The principle that frequencies of alleles and genotypes in a population remain constant from generation to generation. They must satisfy the five conditions: random mating, large population, no genetic drift, no gene flow, and no natural selection.
Inflammatory Response
When tissues are injured by bacteria or any other cause, the mast cells secret histamines, causing the blood vessels to leak and swell. White blood cells, a type of phagocyte, then “eat” the germs and dead or damaged cells.
Specific Defenses
This includes T cells (killer, supressor, helper, and memory) and B cells (plasma and memory). These activate to a specific disease or pathogen, thus labelled as “specific” defenses.
Non-Specific Defenses
This includes neutrophil, macrophages, phagocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells. These are also known as innate defenses, and they are one of the beginning lines of defense that protect your body.
Competitive Inhibition
Competitive inhibition is a form of enzyme inhibition where binding of the inhibitor to the active site on the enzyme prevents binding of the substrate and vice versa.
Non-competitive Inhibition
Non-competitive inhibition is a type of enzyme inhibition where the inhibitor reversibly binds to an allosteric site, a site different than the active site, on the enzyme, preventing the substrate from being able to bind to the active site.
