Structure and Functions in living organisms Flashcards
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nucleus
controls the cells activity (by making proteins)
contains the chromosomes (strands of DNA which carry genes which code for a protein)
cell membrane
boundary between the cytoplasm and the cell’s surrounding.
controls what substances enter and exit the cell.
cytoplasm
jelly-like liquid where reactions occur
mitochondria
carries out some aerobic respiration, which produces ATP
ribosomes
synthesize (assemble) proteins and amino acids
chloroplasts
contain chlorophyll, absorb light energy and use it to carry out chemical reactions of photosynthesis making biological molecules for plants.
cell wall
helps keep plants in a fixed shape
vacuole
filled with a water liquid called cell sap, stores dissolved sugars, mineral ions and other substances.
similarities of plants and animal cells
nucleus
cytoplasm
mitochondria
cell membrane
ribosomes
differences of plants and animal cells
plants only:
cell wall (cellulose)
vacuole
chloroplasts
what is the acronym of chemical molecules in carbs, lipids and protein
CHO CHO CHON
carbohydrate structure
large molecules made up of smaller basic units.
starch and glycogen from simple sugars (smallest unit of carbs).
complex carbs are made up of 1000s of simple sugars joined together.
lipid structure
large molecules made up of smaller basic units.
fatty acids and glycerol.
made of 3 fatty acids joined to a glycerol.
protein structure
large molecules made up of smaller basic units. made of many amino acids joined together.
20 different amino acids can be joined together in any order to create millions of different proteins.
the shape of a protein helps it carry out its job
why are starch and glycogen good storage molecules
less soluble as simple sugars so have less effect on osmosis
what uses starch and glycogen
plants store glucose as starch
animals and fungi store glucose as glycogen
practical - investigate food samples for the presence of glucose
glucose - benedicts test
1. add benedicts solution to a sample of food
2. place in water bath at 80’c for 5 mins
3. colour changes from blue -> brick red
functions of lipids
- thermal insulation
- electrical insulation (around nerve cells)
- buoyancy
- part of cell membranes
- energy storage (can be used in respn)
functions of proteins
- structural molecules
- controlling chemical reactions (enzymes are proteins)
- messenger molecules (hormones are proteins)
- combatting disease (antibodies are proteins)
- transport (haemoglobin and cell membrane proteins)
practical - investigate food samples for the presence of starch
starch - iodine test
1. add a few drops of orange iodine solution to the sample on a spotting tile
2. color changes from orange to blue/black
practical - investigate food samples for the presence of proteins
protein - buriets test
1. add 2cm water to a food sample and shake
2. add equal volume of dilute potassium hydroxide and shake
3. add 2 drops of 1% copper sulphate solution
4. original colour -> pale purple
practical - investigate food samples for the presence of lipids
lipid - emulsion (ethanol)
1. food sample is placed in test tube
2. add a small volume of absolute ethanol and shake to dissolve any lipid in the alcohol
3. add equal volume of water
4. original colour -> cloudy white
what is an enzyme
a biological catalyst
how does temperature affect enzyme function
as temperature increases the enzyme and substates have more kinetic energy which means they move faster so have more successful collisions
once temperature has got to a certain point the temperature breaks the bonds that hold together the amino acids (which make the proteins) which changes the shape of the enzyme.
this is denaturing
once the enzyme has denatured the substrate can no longer fit in the active site (as it has lost its shape) meaning that the reaction will stop
practical - investigate how enzyme activity can be effected by changes in temperature
amylase digests starch
- mix 10cm of 10% starch solution with 5cm of 5% amylase in a boiling tube.
- heat in a water bath
- every minute add 1 drop of this solution to 1 drop of iodine in a spotting tile
- repeat using different temps of water baths
when the starch has been fully digested (so none is present) iodine will stay orange
diffusion
the random movement of particles from a high to a lower concentration
so particles of O2 will move out of the lungs into the RBCs as the lower conc of O2 is in the RBCs
active transport
the movement of molecules from a low to high concentration using ATP
plants use active transport in their root hair cells to absorb mineral ions.
organisms have special carrier proteins in the cell membrane. These use ATP to provide the energy to move the substances across the membrane against the concentration gradient.
osmosis
the movement of water molecules from a high potential to a lower potential across a partially permeable membrane
how does surface area to volume ratio affect movement of substances in and out of cells
A larger surface area speeds up the rate of diffusion as there are more opportunities for the molecules to move, which is why surfaces such as alveoli in lungs are so large. Surface area to volume ratio is more significant, as the two counteract (oppose) each other: an efficient exchange surface has a surface area which is very large compared to the distance the molecules must travel. SA:V is increased when structures are small.
how does distance affect movement of substances in and out of cells
Diffusion takes longer if the molecules have to travel further. Therefore cells are small (smaller volume reduces distance).
how does temperature affect movement of substances in and out of cells
At higher temperatures, molecules have more kinetic energy and so move faster.
how does concentration gradient affect movement of substances in and out of cells
If there is a very large difference in concentration between to areas, molecules will diffuse from the higher to the lower concentration quickly. If the concentration gradient (difference) is small, diffusion will happen more slowly.
practical - investigate diffusion and osmosis using living systems
- Make a 5 different concentration of sucrose solutions
- Measure 5cm3 of each dilution into separate test tubes.
- Use a cork borer to cut out six potato chips and cut down the sections into identically sized chips. Dry each chip using a paper towel to remove excess
water but do not squeeze. - Weigh each before the start of the experiment.
- Place a potato chip in each test tube (one per sucrose concentration) and leave
for 20 minutes. - Remove each potato chip, dry gently using paper towel, and weigh them in turn.
- Calculate the percentage change in mass for each sucrose solution.
practical - investigate diffusion and osmosis using non-living systems
- Add sucrose solution to a section of Visking tubing – a selectively permeable substance used to model a cell membrane.
- Weigh the Visking tubing and its contents.
- Add the Visking tubing to a beaker of water.
- Leave for 1 hour.
- Pat the Visking tubing dry to remove excess water.
- Reweigh the Visking tubing and its contents.
what does photosynthesis do
plants produce glucose from simple inorganic molecules – carbon dioxide and water – using light energy
word equation for photosynthesis
water + carbon dioxide -> (light energy) oxygen + glucose
chemical equation for photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
how do CO2 levels affect photosynthesis rate
adding more CO2 increases rate of reaction because there are more molecules for the enzymes to collide with. there is a point where it doesn’t matter how much CO2 there is as other factors are now limiting
How does light intensity effect the photosynthesis rate
adding more light (increasing brightness) increases rate of reaction because there is more energy for the reaction to occur. there is a point where it doesn’t matter how much light there is as other factors are now limiting
How does temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis
increasing temperature increases the rate of reaction because the enzymes and substrates have more kinetic energy up until a point where the temperature increases too much when the enzymes will denature
how is the SA of the leaf specialized for photosynthesis
large SA and thin, to maximize SA of the leaf absorption of sunlight by the photosynthesis cells. it also increases the amount of stomata, so CO2 can diffuse quicker
how is the upper epidermis of the leaf specialized for photosynthesis
upper epidermis is transparent which allows light to pass through to the mesophyll
how is the palisade of the leaf specialized for photosynthesis
palisade mesophylls are long and thin and tightly packed. they contain large numbers of chloroplasts which maximize sunlight absorption. the palisade mesophylls is the main site of photosynthesis
how is the stomata of the leaf specialized for photosynthesis
stomata allow gas to diffuse into the air spaces of the leaf. this allows a short diffusion distance for CO2. also can close to reduce water loss (at night)
how is the xylem of the leaf specialized for photosynthesis
xylem transports the water into the leaves. this provides a short distance for the water to diffuse into the photosynthesis cells
why do plants need mineral ions
to grow
why do plants need magnesium ions
for chlorophyll
why do plants need nitrate ions
for amino acids
practical 2.23 - evolution of oxygen from a water plant
- Take a bundle of shoots of a pondweed
- Submerge them in a beaker of water
- Use a light a set distance from the plant (measure with a ruler)
As oxygen is produced, the bubbles of gas will appear - count the number of bubbles over a set time, eg 60 secs
Repeat steps for different distances of the light
and calculate mean
what are the components of a balanced diet
carbohydrates, proteins, lipid, vitamins, minerals, water, dietary fiber
what foods give carbs
bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, cereals, fruit
what food give protein
meat, eggs, fish, quinoa, quorn
what foods give lipids
butter, cooking oils, cream, avocados
functions of carbs
fuel for respiration
functions of proteins
growth and repair of cells and tissues
fuel for respiration
functions of lipids
store of energy
fuel for respiration
insulation for (thermal and electrical)
sources of iron
red meat, liver, spinach
sources of vit A
fish liver oil, liver, butter, carrots
sources of calcium
milk and dairy products
sources of vit C
fresh fruit and vegetables
functions of iron
forms part of hemoglobin which binds to oxygen
sources of Vit D
dairy products, oily fish
functions of calcium
needed to form bones and teeth
functions of vit A
making a chemical retina and also protects the surface of the eye
functions of vit C
needed for cells and tissues to stick together
functions of vid D
needed to absorb calcium and phosphate ions from food
iron deficiency
amenia
calcium deficiency
rickets
vit A deficiency
night blindness and damaged corena
vit C deficiency
scurvy
vit D deficiency
rickets caused from weak bones
functions of water
water is an essential solvent and is used to transport the components of blood and is crucial for temperature regulation by sweating
functions of dietary fibre
fiber helps the movement of food through the intestine, preventing constipation and bowel cancer.
how does age affect energy requirements
Young people need more energy requirements as it is used for growth and muscle development
how does activity levels affect energy requirement
When a person is more active there is more energy requires as there are more muscle contractions which requires more respiration as it needs more energy
how does pregnancy affect energy requirement
Energy requirements increase as energy is needed to support fetus, and the larger mass the mother needs to carry
ingestion
taking food in through the mouth and swallowing
digestion
breaking down large insoluble molecules into smaller pieces (physical digestion) and smaller soluble molecules
absorption
movement of small soluble molecules out of the gut and into the blood by diffusion and active transport
egestion
passing out undigested food out through the anus
assimilation
building larger biomolecules from the small soluble molecules in all cells
what are the first 2 parts of the digestive system
mouth + oesophogus
what happens in the mouth
mechanical + chemical digestion + swallowing
mechanical - food is broken down into smaller molecules by chewing. this increases SA for enzymes and prevents discomfort when swallowing
chemical - saliva is released by the salivary glands. saliva makes food easier to swallow and it contains amylase
swallowing - before swallowing food is shaped into a ball and pushed to the back of the mouth by the tongue. this ball is called a bolus. there is a flap called epiglottis which blocks food from entering the trachea
what is chemical digestion
food broken down into smaller soluble molecules by enzymes, bile and acids
what is mechanical digestion
food broken down via physical methods such as churning, grinding and chewing
what happens in the oesophagus
long tube that connects the mouth and the stomach. the bolus is pushed down/through by peristalsis
what is peristalsis
the gut muscles contracting and relaxing to form a wave to push the bolus down/through the oesophagus.
circular muscles contract + longitudinal muscles relax
circular muscles relax + longitudinal muscles contract
what happens in the stomach
the gastric glands in the stomach walls secrete pepsin which starts to digest protein
contractions of the stomach wall causes the contents to mix maximizing the contact between the enzymes and food
the stomach is acidic because HCl is released from the gastric glands as the optimum pH for pepsin is acidic. the low pH would burn through the stomach walls so they are covered in mucus to prevent this. the HCl also kills most bacteria and fungi present in the food.
what happens in the small intestine
both digestion and absorption happen in the small intestine
made up of duodenum and ileum
what happens in the duodenum
the final place of chemical digestion.
the pancreas makes several enzymes and secretes them into the duodenum.
trypsin, amylase, lipase
the duodenum also contains glands which secrete the enzymes they produce into the duodenum
maltase, peptidase
the duodenum also contains bile
what is bile
bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder
- neutralizes the stomach acid because the duodenum enzymes work best at 7-8 pH
- emulsifies lipids - breaks down the large droplets into smaller droplets, increasing SA for lipase to digest the fat
what happens in the ilium
absorption begins. the small soluble molecules are absorbed. some by diffusion but some such as glucose by active transport.
how is the ilium optimized for diffusion
large SA - folding of the ileum, villi & microvilli (folds on the surface of cells lining the villi) increase SA
short diffusion distance - the villi cells are one cell thick
high concentration gradient - provided by capillary network and lacteals removing absorbed molecules
what happens in the colon
site of all reabsorption of water
what happens the rectum
the faeces are stored in the rectum and egested from the anus
whats execretion
the removal of waste products by chemical reactions
eg urea removed by the kidneys and sweating
what does the pancreas do
produces and secretes amylase, trypsin, lipase into the duodenum
secretes an alkaline fluid into the duodenum to neutralize the acidity of the stomach