S4.2.1 Glossary Flashcards
aerobic respiration
Chemical reaction that releases energy, using oxygen as a reactant
adrenaline
A hormone produced by the adrenal glands which causes the “fight or flight” response
alveoli
Small air sacs in the lungs which increase its surface area
amino acids
The monomer of proteins
amylase
Enzyme which breaks down starch into glucose
anaerobic respiration
Chemical reaction that releases energy, without using oxygen as a reactant
aorta
The artery which carries blood away from the heart, towards the body
arteries
Blood vessels which carry blood away from the heart
benedict’s solution
The reagent which tests for sugar, changes from blue to green, yellow, orange to brick red
biuret solution
The reagent which tests for protein, changes from blue to lilac
blood supply
Flow or movement of blood through the body
carbohydrates
Molecules made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, e.g. starch and glucose
carbon dioxide
One of the waste products of aerobic respiration
Central nervous system (CNS)
Made up of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for reacting to stimuli in our environment
circulatory system
Made up of the heart and all of the blood vessels, responsible for the movement of blood around the body
digestion
The process of breaking down large insoluble molecules into smaller, soluble molecules
effectors
Muscles or glands which produce a response
energy
Released or absorbed by chemical reactions
enzymes
Biological catalyst
ethanol
The reagent which tests for lipids/fat, changes from clear to cloudy
exchange surfaces
A surface across which substances are exchanged, e.g. alveoli, small intestines, leaves
exothermic
A reaction which releases energy, usually as heat
fatty acid
A molecule which makes up lipids (fats)
gas exchange
The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, e.g. in the alveoli or leaves
gland
Produces hormones
glucose
The monomer of starch
glycerol
A molecule which makes up lipids (fats)
heart
Organ which pumps blood around the body
iodine
The reagent used to test for starch, changes from orange-brown to blue-black
kidneys
Organs which filter blood to produce urine
lactic acid
Waste product of anaerobic respiration
left ventricle
The bottom chamber of the left side of the heart which pumps blood to the body
lipase
Enzyme which breaks down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
lipids
Also known as fats
liver
Organ which removes toxins from the blood
membrane
A thin layer of cells which acts as a boundary or barrier in the body
motor neurone
Nerve cells which carry electrical impulses from the CNS to the effector
multicellular organism
Organism made of more than one cell
muscles
Tissue which can contract or relax to enable movement
negative feedback
If there is a change within a system, the system acts to reverse that change
neurones
Nerve cells which carry electrical impulses around the body
oxygen
Molecule which acts as a reactant for aerobic respiration
oxygen debt
The amount of oxygen needed to break down the built up lactic acid in the muscles
pacemaker
Cells which regulate heartbeat
pituitary gland
The master gland, produces hormones which act on other glands
plasma
Liquid part of the blood which carries dissolved substances
platelets
Small fragments of cells which help the blood to clot
protease
Enzyme which breaks down protein into amino acids
proteins
Polymers made of amino acids
pulmonary artery
The artery which carries blood away from the heart, towards the lungs
pulmonary vein
The vein which carries blood into the heart, from the lungs
receptor
Something which detects a stimulus
red blood cells
Cells which carry oxygen around the body
relay neurones
Nerve cells which carry electrical impulses within the CNS
response
What the body does when it detects a stimulus
right ventricle
The bottom chamber of the right side of the heart which pumps blood to the lungs
sensory neurones
Nerve cells which carry electrical impulses from the receptor to the CNS
starch
A polymer made of glucose
stimulus
A change in the environment
Sudan III
The reagent which tests for lipids/fat, produces a red layer
surface area
The area of a surface which is exposed
surface area: volume ratio
The ratio of surface area to volume
synapse
The gap between two neurones
thyroxine
Hormone produced by the thyroid which regulates metabolism and body temperature
trachea
Also called the windpipe, connects the mouth and nose to the lungs
urea
A waste product produced by cells, excreted in the urine
valves
Prevent backflow of blood in blood vessels and heart
veins
Blood vessels which carry blood towards the heart
vena cava
Vein which carries blood into the heart, from the body
water
One of the waste products of aerobic respiration
white blood cells
Part of the immune system which protects us against pathogens
