Unit 2 Flashcards
Chromosome compliment
Each species of plant and animal has a specific number of chromosomes in nucleus of its cells.
Having the correct number of chromosomes in each cell ensure that the organism will have the characteristics of its species.
This is called the chromosome complement.
What is a haploid cell?
A Haploid cell has a single set of chromosomes.
e.g. sperm and egg cells
what is a diploid cell?
A cell containing two sets of chromosomes is a diploid Cell.
1 set from mother; 1 set from father
How many chromosomes are there in a normal body cell?
2 sets.
Where do the sets of chromosome come from?
Once it comes from the female parent, one set comes from the male parent.
Why do we need cells?
New cells are needed to allow multi-cellular organisms to grow.
New cells are needed to repair damaged tissue. New cells replace damaged cells to repair the tissue.
What is mitosis?
Mitosis is the process where diploid body cells divide into new cells.
The new cells are identical.
Mitosis importance
Mitosis maintains the diploid chromosome complement of new cells, providing the body with new cells that can be used in GROWTH and REPAIR.
Stages of mitosis
1) in the parent cell, the chromosomes replicate forming 2 identical CHROMATIDS joined in the centre by a centromere.
2) the nuclear membrane breaks down and the chromosomes shorten and thicken, becoming visible under a microscope.
3) the chromatids line up along the EQUATOR of the cell.
4) SPINDLE FIBRES attach to the pairs of chromatids.
5) spindle fibres pull the chromatids apart to the poles of the cell.
6) the cytoplasm divides and nuclear membranes form.
7) 2 diploid daughter cells are produced, containing the same genetic information as the parent cell.
How does cancer happen?
When cell division is no longer controlled, cancer cells form.
Why is mitosis required?
To provide new cells for growth and repair of damaged cells.
Mitosis is necessary for growth and repair.???
What does ‘maintaining the chromosome complement’ mean and why is it important?
Daughter cells are made with the same number of chromosomes as the original cell, ensuring the exactly the same genetic information is passed on from parent cell to daughter cells.
Function of stem cells in animals?
Where are they found?
Stem cells are unspecialised cells.
Stem cells in animals can divide (self-renew) and have the potential to become different types of cell. Stem cells are involved in GROWTH and REPAIR.
Found in embryos and tissues?
How is a red blood cell specialised to their function?
The function of a red blood cell is to transport oxygen around the body.
It is specially adapted to its function because it has a:
- biconcave shape to increase surface area and carry more oxygen.
- no nucleus to allow more space inside the cell to carry oxygen.
- contains heamoglobin which has high affinity to oxygen. The oxygen binds with the haemoglobin to form oxyheamoglobin.
How is a nerve cell specialised to carry out its function?
The function of a nerve cell is the transmission of nerve impulses.
The nerve cell has
- long fibres enable cells to reach all areas of the body.
- protective, insulating sheath allows electrical impulses to travel quickly along the cell.
How is a sperm cell adapted to carry out its function?
The function of the sperm cell is to fertilise the female egg cell.
A sperms cell has:
- a tail to swim towards the egg cell.
- the head of the cell contains many mitochondria which provide the cell with the energy it needs to swim.
How is a root hair cell structure adapted to their function?
The function of a root hair cell is to absorb water from the soil for uptake into the plant.
The root hair cell has:
- long extension into the soil which gives a large surface area.
How is a palisade mesophyll cells structure adapted to carry out its function?
The function of the palisade mesophyll cell is to carry out the process of photosynthesis.
The palisade mesophyll cell has:
- many chloroplasts to increase photosynthesis.
- it has a regular, columnar shape.
How is a guard cells structure adapted to carry out its function?
The function of the guard cell is it controls the opening and closing of stomata.
The guard cell has:
- sausage shaped cells.
- thick inner walls.
What are the levels of organisation in animals?
Cell - tissue - organ - system - organism
A cell is the basic unit of life.
A tissue is a group of cells specialised to perform a particular function. The structure of the cells in these tissues is related to their function.
An organ is a structure composed of many different tissues coordinated to perform one or more functions.
A group of related tissues and organs make up a system.
All cells, tissues, organs and organ systems coordinate together as an organism.
In which form is glucose stored in the liver?
Glycogen
Liver cells can store glucose molecules by connecting them together to make glycogen.
What are gametes?
Gametes are haploid sex cells.
Found in plants and animals and can be male or female.
In humans, gametes (egg and sperm cells) contain 23 chromosomes. (1 set)
Fertilisation
Fertilisation is when the nuclei of 2 haploid gametes fuse together to form a diploid zygote which divides to form an embryo.
(During fertilisation the nucleus of the male gamete fuses with the nucleus of the female gamete to produce a diploid zygote (fertilised egg)
Fertilisation is a RANDOM process.
What is a zygote?
A zygote is a fertilised egg cell.
2 parts of the Central Nervous System (CNS)
The CNS consists of the BRAIN and SPINAL CORD.
Structure of the brain - cerebrum
The cerebrum is the large folded area of the brain.
Function - responsible for conscious thoughts - memory, reasoning etc.
Structure of the brain - cerebellum
The cerebellum is found at the rear of the brain below the cerebellum.
Function - helps us balance and coordinate our movements.
Structure of the brain - medulla
The medulla is found at the top of the spinal cord and contains groups of neurons that transmit electrical impulses to the heart and lungs to:
Function - Controls our heart beating, breathing, gut movements etc.
The pathway of an electrical impulse along a reflex arc
- Receptors detect sensory stimulus
- Sensory neurons pass the information to the central nervous system (spinal cord and then brain)
- The CNS processes the information from our senses (along a relay nerve) which needs a response.
- Motor neurons enable a response to occur, which can be a rapid action from a muscle (which contracts) or a slower response from a gland (which releases a hormone)
Order of neurons: sensory –> inter –> motor
Reflex actions
Reflex actions are fast, automatic response to a specific stimulus. They usually have a protective role.
Reflex actions can happen without any input form the brain so they can’t be controlled.
Examples - blinking, pupils widen in the dark, response to pain (putting up hands when you fall) etc.
What is a synapse?
A synapse is a gap between neurons. The electrical impulse from one neuron is passed to the next using chemicals.
(The chemicals diffuse across the gap to carry the impulse from one neuron to another).
What is an endocrine glands?
Example?
Endocrine glands release hormones into the blood.
E.g. pancreas releases insulin and glucagon
The 3 main enforcing glands are:
- pancreas
- ovaries (female)
- testes (male)
Blood glucose regulation
- high blood sugar (blood glucose level high)
Normal blood glucose level then eat a meal:
- Blood glucose level high
- Pancreas detects change
- Pancreas releases the hormone insulin into blood
- insulin travels to liver in blood. Receptors in the insulin detect the insulin.
- liver changes glucose into glycogen (liver reacts to insulin by storing excess glucose as glycogen).
- blood glucose levels turn back to normal.
Blood glucose regulation
- low blood sugar (blood glucose level low)
Normal blood glucose level then no food eaten:
- blood glucose level low
- pancreas detects change
- pancreas releases the hormone glucagon into the blood
- glucagon travels to liver in blood. Receotors in the liver detect the glucagon.
- liver responds to glucagon by converting glycogen back into glucose
- blood glucose level returns to normal
Discrete variation
Discrete variations is caused by inheritance and is controlled by a single gene.
In discrete variation the characteristic falls into distinct groups.
- blood group, tongue rolling
Continuous variation
Continuous variation is often controlled by more than one gene (polygenic). It can have any value in a range between two extremes.
Most characteristics show continuous variation.
- height
Continuous variation is caused by polygenic inheritance (characteristics affected by more than one gene).
Definition of polygenic inheritance
A characteristic which is controlled by more than one gene, usually shows continous variation.
- e.g. skin colour
Definition of a gene
A gene is a section of DNA that codes for one protein which controls a particular characteristic.
Definition of allele
A form of a gene (different form/version of the same gene)
- tongue rolling gene has 2 forms: roller and non-roller.
Definition of phenotype
The physical expression of the genotype, normally visible and a description (e.g. tongue rolling, white fur)
A phenotype t is a physical description of a characteristic (genotype).
Definition of genotype
The alleles that an organism has for a particular characteristic, written as two letters (e.g. Tt or TT or tt)
Genotype is a description of the genes using letters to represent the alleles.
Definition of dominant allele
Always shows in the phenotype even if it is paired with another recessive allele (homozygous genotype).
Some alleles are dominant over other alleles meaning you only need to inheeir one copy of a dominant allele to express the characteristic. Dominant alleles are always represented by a capital letters.
Definition of recessive allele
Only shows in the phenotype if it is paired with another recessive allele (homozygous genotype). When in a heterozygous genotype, it is masked by the presence of a dominant allele.
Recessive alleles are often masked by dominant alleles. Therefore you have to inherit 2 copies to express this characteristic.
These alleles are represented by lower case letters of the dominant characteristic.
Definition of homozygous
A genotype where the two alleles are the same (TT, tt or YY, yy etc.)
If you inherit 2 of the same alleles, you are HOMOZYGOUS for a characteristic.
Definition of heterozygous
A genotype where the two alleles are different ( e.g. Tt or Yy)
If you inherit 2 different alleles (i.e. 1 recessive and 1 dominat) then you are HETEROZYGOUS for the particular characteristic.
Definition of P, F1 and F2
Parent
First generation
Second generation
Why are predicted ratios not always achieved in the F2 generation?
Fertilisation is a random process.
Main plant organs (3) and travel of water
Roots, stems, leaves
Water travels:
1) from soil into roots
2) up the stem and
3) into the leaves where it is used for photosynthesis
3 facts about the xylem vessels
- Carry water and minerals
- Made of dead cells
- Contain lignin to withstand the pressure changes as water moves through the plant
Why do roots have hairs?
To increase surface area for water absorption
How can the rate of transpiration be affected?
Higher wind speeds
Temperature
Leaf structure
Can speed up transpiration
3 facts about stomata
- Water is lost by evaporation through the stomata
- Opening and closing of stomata is controlled by guard cells. (Guard cells open stomata when they fill with water
- Stomata are mainly found in the lower leaf epidermis.
3 facts about phloem vessels
- Carry sugar from leaves to rest of plant.
- Cells are alive
- Contain sieve plate and companion cells
Components of blood in animals
Blood contains:
Plasma
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Blood transports nutrients, oxygen and carbon dioxide
Pathway of blood around the body
Lungs Pulmonary vein Left atrium Left ventricle Aorta Around body Vena cave Right atrium Right ventricle Pulmonary artery Lungs
What are the function of valves?
To prevent the backflow if blood.
Function of coronary arteries
To supply the heart muscle with oxygenated blood.
Facts about arteries
- Have thick muscular walls and a narrow central channel
2. Carries oxygenated blood at high pressure away from the heart and around the body.