Topic 2 Organisation - Definitions Flashcards
Amylase
An enzyme produced in the salivary glands and pancreas that breaks carbohydrates down into simple sugars.
Aorta
The main artery that takes oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body.
Artery
A blood vessel that carries blood at high pressure away from the heart. Benign tumour
Benign tumour
An abnormal cell growth that is contained within one area and does not invade other areas of the body.
Bile
A substance made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder which is used to neutralise stomach acid in the intestine and emulsify fats.
Blood
A tissue containing red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. Cancer
Cancer
A non-communicable disease caused by changes in the cell that lead to uncontrolled growth and division.
Capillary
A very thin blood vessel that is used for exchange of substances.
Cell
The basic building block of all living organisms.
Communicable disease
A disease that can be spread between individuals either directly or indirectly.
Coronary heart disease
A disease caused by the buildup of fatty deposits inside the coronary artery, narrowing it and reducing blood flow to the heart tissue.
Enzymes
Biological catalysts that increase the rate of reactions in living organisms. Health
Health
The state of physical and mental wellbeing.
Heart
An organ that pumps blood around the body in a double circulatory system.
Lipase
An enzyme that is produced in the pancreas that breaks lipids down into fatty acids and glycerol.
Lock and key hypothesis
A theory that describes how substrates must be the correct shape to fit the active site of an enzyme.
Malignant tumour
A cancerous cell growth that invades neighbouring tissues and can spread to different parts of the body in the blood.
Meristem tissue
Plant tissues containing undifferentiated stem cells.
Metabolism
All of the chemical reactions occurring in an organism.
Non-communicable disease
A disease which cannot be spread between individuals.
Organ systems
Groups of organs that work together to form organisms
Organs
Aggregations of tissues performing specific functions.
Palisade mesophyll
A tissue found in plant leaves that is specialised to carry out photosynthesis.
Phloem
A transport tissue found in plants which is specialised to transport sugars from source to sink.
Protease
An enzyme produced in the stomach and pancreas that breaks proteins down into amino acids.
Pulmonary artery
The main artery that takes deoxygenated blood away from the heart to the lungs.
Pulmonary vein
The main vein that takes oxygenated blood back to the heart from the lungs.
Rate of reaction
The speed at which reactants are converted into products.
Risk factor
Something that increases a person’s risk of developing a disease.
Spongy mesophyll
A tissue found in plant leaves that is specialised for gas exchange.
Statins
A class of drugs that are used to reduce blood cholesterol levels which slows down the rate of fatty material deposit.
Stent
A tube that can be surgically implanted into blood vessels to keep them ope
Tissue
A group of cells with a similar structure and function.
Translocation
The movement of food molecules through the phloem tissue.
Transpiration
The process of water evaporating from a plant.
Vein
A blood vessel that carries blood at a low pressure back to the heart.
Vena cava
The main vein that takes deoxygenated blood back to the heart from the body.
Xylem
A transport tissue in plants which is specialised to transport water and dissolved minerals from the roots of the plant to the leaves
