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Biology Paper 1 > Topic 1 - Definitions And Concepts > Flashcards

Topic 1 - Definitions And Concepts Flashcards

1
Q

What is an acrosome?

A

An organelle in the tip of a sperm that contains enzymes which digest the egg cell membrane.

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2
Q

Define active site.

A

A specific region on an enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction takes place.

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3
Q

What is active transport?

A

The movement of substances from a low concentration to a higher concentration (against the concentration gradient) across a membrane, with the use of energy from respiration.

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4
Q

What does Benedict’s test detect?

A

A chemical test used to test for reducing sugars that produces a different colour based on the amount of reducing sugar present.

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5
Q

What is the Biuret test?

A

A chemical test that produces a purple colour when it is added to a solution containing protein.

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6
Q

What does calorimetry measure?

A

A method of measuring heat transfer during a chemical reaction.

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7
Q

What are carbohydrases?

A

Enzymes that break down carbohydrates into simple sugars.

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8
Q

Fill in the blank: A carbohydrate is a large molecule that is synthesised from _______.

A

simple sugars.

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9
Q

What is a cell?

A

The basic building block of all living organisms.

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10
Q

Define cell membrane.

A

A partially permeable barrier that surrounds the cell.

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11
Q

What is the cell wall?

A

An outer layer made of cellulose that strengthens plant cells.

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12
Q

What is the function of chloroplasts?

A

An organelle that is the site of photosynthesis.

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13
Q

What is a chromosome?

A

A long, coiled molecule of DNA that carries genetic information in the form of genes.

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14
Q

What are cilia?

A

Hair-like structures found on ciliated epithelial cells which waft substances across the surface of the tissue in one direction.

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15
Q

What is a ciliated epithelial cell?

A

A type of epithelial cell that lines the surface of structures such as the respiratory tract and uterus.

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16
Q

What is a concentration gradient?

A

The difference in concentration between two areas.

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17
Q

Define denaturation.

A

The permanent change in the shape of an enzyme’s active site that prevents the binding of a substrate upon exposure to high temperatures or extremes of pH.

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18
Q

What is diffusion?

A

The net spreading out of particles from a high concentration to a lower concentration (down their concentration gradient).

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19
Q

What is a diploid cell?

A

A cell that contains two copies of each chromosome (i.e. a full set of chromosomes).

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20
Q

What is an egg cell?

A

A specialised female sex cell involved in reproduction.

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21
Q

What type of microscope uses a beam of electrons to produce an image?

A

Electron microscope.

22
Q

What is the emulsion test?

A

A chemical test that produces a cloudy emulsion when performed on lipids.

23
Q

Define enzyme.

A

A biological catalyst that increases the rate of reactions in living organisms.

24
Q

What is a eukaryotic cell?

A

A type of cell found in plants and animals that contains a nucleus.

25
Q

What are flagella?

A

A long hair-like structure found on bacterial cells that is used for cell movement.

26
Q

What is a haploid cell?

A

A cell that contains a single copy of each chromosome (i.e. half the number of chromosomes).

27
Q

What does the iodine test indicate?

A

Produces a blue/black colour when iodine solution is added to a sample containing starch.

28
Q

What is a light microscope?

A

A type of microscope that uses a series of lenses to magnify the visible light reflecting off a specimen.

29
Q

What do lipases do?

A

Enzymes that break down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol.

30
Q

Define lipid.

A

A large molecule that is synthesised from fatty acids and glycerol.

31
Q

What is the lock and key hypothesis?

A

A theory that describes how substrates must be the correct shape to fit the active site of an enzyme.

32
Q

What is magnification?

A

The number of times bigger an image appears compared to the original object.

33
Q

Fill in the blank: One micrometre (um) is equal to _______ metre.

A

x 10^(-6) metre.

34
Q

Fill in the blank: One millimetre (mm) is equal to _______ metre.

A

x 10^(-3) metre.

35
Q

What is mitochondria?

A

An organelle that is the site of respiration

Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell.

36
Q

Define nanometre (nm).

A

A quantitative unit of length. One nanometre is equal to ×10^-9 metre

Used in measuring things at the molecular or atomic level.

37
Q

What is the function of the nucleus?

A

Contains the genetic material of the cell and controls the activities of the cell

Found in most eukaryotic cells.

38
Q

What is an organelle?

A

A specialised structure found inside a cell

Organelles perform specific functions necessary for the cell’s life.

39
Q

Define osmosis.

A

The diffusion of water molecules from a region of high water concentration to a region of lower water concentration across a partially permeable membrane

Crucial for maintaining cell turgor and overall homeostasis.

40
Q

How is percentage change in mass calculated?

A

Percentage change in mass = (final mass - initial mass) / initial mass × 100

Used to quantify changes in mass over time.

41
Q

What is a picometre (pm)?

A

A quantitative unit of length. One picometre is equal to ×10^-12 metre

Often used in fields like nuclear physics and chemistry.

42
Q

What is a plasmid?

A

Loops of DNA found in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells

Plasmids can carry genes that provide advantages, such as antibiotic resistance.

43
Q

Define prokaryotic cell.

A

A type of cell found in bacteria that does not contain a nucleus

Prokaryotic cells are generally simpler and smaller than eukaryotic cells.

44
Q

What are proteases?

A

Enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids

Important for digestion and cellular processes.

45
Q

What is a protein?

A

A large molecule that is synthesised from amino acids

Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms.

46
Q

What does rate of reaction refer to?

A

The speed at which reactants are converted into products

Influenced by factors such as temperature and concentration.

47
Q

Define resolution in a biological context.

A

The smallest distance between two objects that can be distinguished

Important in microscopy and imaging techniques.

48
Q

What are ribosomes?

A

Sub-cellular structures that are the site of protein synthesis

Can be found free in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

49
Q

What is a specialised cell?

A

A cell that has a structure which makes it adapted to its function

Examples include nerve cells and muscle cells.

50
Q

Define specificity in relation to enzymes.

A

Describes the ability of an enzyme to catalyse only a particular reaction or set of reactions

This occurs because the substrate fits the active site of the enzyme.

51
Q

What is a sperm cell?

A

A specialised male sex cell that is involved in reproduction

Sperm cells are designed for motility and delivering genetic material.

52
Q

What is the function of a vacuole?

A

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

Vacuoles help maintain turgor pressure in plant cells.

Biology Paper 1 (57 decks)

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