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Biology - IGCSE > Structure and functions in living organisms - IGCSE > Flashcards

Structure and functions in living organisms - IGCSE Flashcards

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1
Q

Cell

A

The basic building block of all living organisms

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2
Q

Organelle

A

A specialised strcture found inside a cell

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3
Q

Organs

A

Aggregations of tissues performing specific functions

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4
Q

Organ systems

A

Groups of organs that work together to form organisms

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5
Q

Tissue

A

A group of cells with a similar structure and function

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6
Q

Cell differentiation

A

The process by which a cell becomes specialised to its function

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7
Q

Cell wall

A

An outer, strctural layer that surrounds some cells
In plant cells, it’s made of cellulose. In fungi it’s made of chitin

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8
Q

Chloroplast

A

An organelle which is the site of photosynthesis

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9
Q

Cytoplasm

A

A jelly-like substance that contains all the organelles of the cell, dissolved nutrients and salts

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10
Q

Mitochondria

A

An organelle which is the site of respiration

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11
Q

Nucleus

A

An organelle found in most eukaryotic cells that contains the genetic material of the cell and controls its activities

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12
Q

Ribosomes

A

Orgamelles that are the site of protein synthesis

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13
Q

Stem cell

A

An undifferentiated cell that can divide to produce many specialised cells of the same tyoe

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14
Q

Vacuole

A

An organelle found in plant cells that stores cell sap and supports the cell

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15
Q

Active site

A

Part of the enzyme that is complementary to the shape of the substrate
The shape of the active site may change if the enzyme is exposed to high temperatues or extremes of pH

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16
Q

Amino acids

A

Small molecules from which proteins are assembled

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17
Q

Enzymes

A

Biological catalysts that increase the rate of reactions in living organisms

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18
Q

Glycogen

A

A large carbohydrate made from many glucose molecules joined together
It serves as an energy store in animals

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19
Q

Lipids

A

A group of large molecules that are made from long fatty acid chains and glycerol
Lipids include fats and oils

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20
Q

Protein

A

Large molecules made up of amino acids

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21
Q

Starch

A

A large carbohydrate molecule made up of many glucose molecules
It contains the elements carbon, oxygen and hydrogen.
It’s an energy storage molecule in plants

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22
Q

Concentration gradient

A

The difference in concentration between two areas

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23
Q

Osmosis

A

The diffusion of water molecules from a more dilute solution to a more concentrated solution across a partially permeable membrane

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24
Q

Surface area to volume ratio

A

The size of the object compared with the amount of area that contacts the environment

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25
Q

Amylase

A

An enzyme produced in salivary glands and pancreas that breakd down starch into maltose

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26
Q

Maltase

A

An enzyme produced in the pancreas that breaks down lipids into fatty acids and gycerol

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27
Q

Protease

A

An enzyme produced in the stomach and pancreas that breaks down proteins into amino acids

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28
Q

Bile

A

A green, watery fluid made in the liver and stored in the gallbladded that is used to neutralise stomach acid in the duodenum and emulsify fats

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29
Q

Oesophagus

A

A muscular tube that takes food from the mouth to the stomach

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30
Q

Peristalsis

A

The squeezing movement of muscles that pushes the bolus of food along the digestive tract

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31
Q

Pancreas

A

An organ that produces digestive enzymes and releases them into the small intestine

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32
Q

Duodenum

A

The first section of the small intestine where digestive enzymes and bile are added to the ingested food

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33
Q

Ileum

A

The second section of the small intestine where the products of digestion are absorbed

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34
Q

Colon

A

The first part of the large intestine where water is reabsorbed

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35
Q

Rectum

A

Part of the large intestine where faeces is stored

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36
Q

Palisade mesophyll

A

A tissue found in plant leaves that is specialised to carry out photosynthesis

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37
Q

Spongy mesophyll

A

A tissue found in plant leaves that is specialised for gas exchange

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38
Q

Stomata

A

Small holes found on the surface of a leaf that allow carbon dioxide and oxygen to diffuse in and out of the leag for photosynthesis
They also control water loss

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39
Q

Waxy cuticle

A

A layer on top of the leaf that reduces water evaporation, but does not block sunlight

40
Q

Aerobic respiration

A

A form of respiration that uses oxygen to release energy from the breakdown of molecules like glucose
glucose + oxygen –> carbon dioxide + water

41
Q

Anaerobic respiration

A

A form of respiration that releases energy from the breakdown of molecules like glucose without using oxygen
glucose –> lactic acid

42
Q

ATP

A

A molecule that releases energy quickly

43
Q

Alveoli

A

Tiny air sacs in the lungs that serve as the gaseous exchange surface

44
Q

Bronchi

A

The two airways branching from the trachea that lead into the lungs

45
Q

Bronchioles

A

The small airways branching from the bronchi in each lung

46
Q

Trachea

A

The windpipe connecting the lungs to the mouth and nose

47
Q

Diaphragm

A

The muscle separating the thorax and the abdomen

48
Q

Intercostal muscles

A

Group of muscles situated between the ribs
They are responsible for the movement of the ribs during breathing

49
Q

Pleural membranes

A

The airtight membranes covering the lungs and the chest wall

50
Q

Heart

A

An organ that pumps blood around the body in a double circulatory system

51
Q

Artery

A

A type of blood vessel that carries blood at high pressure away from the heart to the tissues

52
Q

Vein

A

A blood vessel that carries blood at low pressure back to the heart

53
Q

Aorta

A

The main artery that takes oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body

54
Q

Vena cava

A

The main vein that takes deoxygenated blood back to the heart from the body

55
Q

Pulmonary artery

A

The main artery that takes deoxygenated blood away from the heart to the lungs

56
Q

Hepatic artery

A

The artery that supplies the liver with oxygenated blood

57
Q

Hepatic vein

A

The vein that carries blood away from the liver

58
Q

Pulmonary artery

A

The artery that takes deoxygentaed blood back to the heart from the lungs

59
Q

Pulmonary vein

A

The main vein that carries deoxygenated blood back to the heart from the lungs

60
Q

Renal arteries

A

The arteries that supply blood to the kidneys

61
Q

Renal veins

A

The veins that take blood away from the kidneys

62
Q

Atria

A

The two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood from the veins and pump blood into the ventricles

63
Q

Ventricles

A

The two lower chambers of the heart that receive blood from the atria and expel blood into the artieries

64
Q

Blood

A

A tissue containing red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma

65
Q

Red blood cells

A

Cells in the blood that transport oxygen
They have a biconcave shape, no nucleus, and contain haemoglobin

66
Q

Haemoglobin

A

The red protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen in the blood

67
Q

White blood cells

A

Cells of the immune system that protect the body from invading pathogens via the production of antibodies and antitoxins

68
Q

Phagocyte

A

A type of white blood cell that ingests pathogens

69
Q

Lymphocyte

A

A type of white blood cell that produces specific antibodies against a pathogen

70
Q

Memory cell

A

An immune cell that can recognise a pathogen previously encountered (either from infection or vaccination) and produce antibodies against the pathogen quickly

71
Q

Plasma

A

The straw-coloured liquid in blood that transports carbon dioxide, urea, digested food, hormones and heat energy

72
Q

Platelets

A

Tiny fragments of cells found in the blood that are involved in clotting

73
Q

Xylem

A

A plant transport tissue that is specialised to transport water and dissolved minerals from the roots of the plant to the leaves

74
Q

Phloem

A

A transport tissue found in plants which is specialised to transport sugars from sources to sinks

75
Q

Excretion

A

The removal of waste products and toxic substances from the body

76
Q

Organs of excretion

A

The lungs, kidneys and skin. The lungs excrete carbon dioxide and water vapour, the kidneys excrete water, urea and salts and the skin excretes water and salts

77
Q

Bladder

A

The organ that collects and holds urine

78
Q

Ureters

A

The tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder

79
Q

Urethra

A

The tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body during urination

80
Q

Nephron

A

The functional unit of the kidney

81
Q

Convoluted tubules

A

Tubes of the nephron through which filtrate flows
Substances from the filtrate are reabsorbed into blood in the convoluted tubules

82
Q

Glomerulus

A

A collection of capillaries that is involved in the filtration of blood under high pressure

83
Q

Bowman’s capsule

A

The cup-like strcture at the start of a mephron where the filtrate from the glomerulus is collected and taken to the tubules

84
Q

Loop of Henle

A

Part of the nephron in which water and salts are reabsorbed

85
Q

Collecting duct

A

The final part of the nephron before the ureter in which water is selectively reabsorbed
Its permeability to water is altered by ADH

86
Q

ADH

A

A hormone produced by a pituitary gland that increases the reabsorption of water in the kidney tubules

87
Q

Ultrafiltration

A

The filtration of the blood at the glomerulus to produce a filtrate which contains water, ions, glucose, urea and other molecules
Proteins and cells are not present in the filtrate

88
Q

Adrenaline

A

A hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to fear or stress
It increases the heart rate and boosts the delivery of blood to the brain and muscles as part of the fight or flight response

89
Q

CNS

A

The brain and spinal chord
It coordinates the response of effectors

90
Q

FSH

A

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovary and the secretion of oestrogen

91
Q

Homeostasis

A

The maintenence of a stable internal environment in the body despite fluctuations in internal and external conditions

92
Q

Vasodilation

A

The dilation of blood vessels near the surface of the skin to lose heat

93
Q

Vasoconstriction

A

The constriction of blood vessels near the surface of the skin to conserve heat

94
Q

Insulin

A

A hormone secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose concentration is too high
It reduces blood glucose concentration

95
Q

Reflex arc

A

The pathway of neurones involved in a reflex action
Stimulus - receptor - sensory neurone - interneurone - motor neurone - effector - response

96
Q

Effectors

A

Muscles or glands which bring about responses to restore optimum levels

97
Q

Stimulus

A

A change in an organism’s internal or external environment

Biology - IGCSE (5 decks)

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