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Higher Human Biology > Unit 2-Glossary > Flashcards

Unit 2-Glossary Flashcards

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1
Q

Active transport

A

Movement of substances across the cell membrane against a concentration gradient, which requires an energy supply

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2
Q

Adrenaline

A

Hormone released by adrenal glands causing a wide range of effects

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3
Q

Allele

A

One of the different forms of a gene

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4
Q

Anomaly scan

A

Ultrasound scan taken between 18-20 weeks of pregnancy,

used to identify any aspects of
physical development of the limbs and vital organs which are unusual

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5
Q

Artificial insemination

A

The placing of sperm into the reproductive tract of a female for the purpose of impregnating the
female by using means other than sexual intercourse

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6
Q

Atheroma

A

A swelling in the artery wall which consists mainly of cholesterol, calcium salts and fibrous
material; also referred to as plaques

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7
Q

Atherosclerosis

A

A condition associated with a thickening of the artery walls that is caused by a build-up of fatty
material, especially cholesterol

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8
Q

Atria

A

Upper chambers of the heart

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9
Q

Atrio-ventricular (AV) node

A

A group of modified muscle cells which initiates the contraction of the ventricles

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10
Q

Atrio-ventricular valves

A

Valves located between the atria and ventricles which prevent backflow into the atria during
ventricular systole

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11
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

ANS - involuntary system which controls basic body functions, e.g. heart rate, digestion, and
breathing

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12
Q

Autosome

A

One of the 22 pairs of chromosomes that control the general functioning of the individual, but
which do not determine the sex

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13
Q

Basal metabolic rate

A

The daily energy use when at rest

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14
Q

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A

BMI = Mass (kg) / (Height (m) 2)

A crude measure of body fat content

BMI greater than 30 indicates obesity

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15
Q

Carbohydrates

A

Chemicals containing only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

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16
Q

Carrier

A

An individual who is heterozygous for particular characteristic, especially applied to genetic
disorders which are caused by a recessive allele carried on an autosome or an X-chromosome

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17
Q

Cervix

A

Lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top of the vagina

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18
Q

Cholesterol

A

A type of lipid found in the cell membrane

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19
Q

Conception

A

The fusion of sperm and egg

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20
Q

Contraception

A

The prevention of fertilisation which may be achieved by natural or artificial means

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21
Q

Corpus luteum

A

Develops from the follicle after ovulation and secretes high levels of progesterone and lower
levels of oestrogen

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22
Q

Cortisol

A

A steroid hormone produced in the adrenal gland in response to stress

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23
Q

Cystic fibrosis

A

An inherited condition which causes the production of thick mucus in the respiratory system

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24
Q

Dating scan

A

Ultrasound scan taken between 8-14 weeks of pregnancy, used to determine the age of the
foetus and hence the expected date of delivery

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25
Q

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A

Clots forming in veins, most usually in the legs, which can form an embolus which may lodge
in the lung causing a pulmonary embolism

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26
Q

Density

A

the mass of one cm3

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27
Q

Diabetes

A

a group of diseases in which a person has chronically high blood sugar levels

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28
Q

Diastole

A

Relaxation of the heart muscle

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29
Q

Diploid

A

a cell containing two sets of chromosomes

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30
Q

Dominant

A

an allele that is expressed in the phenotype of the heterozygote

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31
Q

Embolus

A

a blood clot which has broken free in an artery and may cause a stroke or heart attack

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32
Q

Endometrium

A

inner lining of the uterus into which the blastocyst implants

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33
Q

Endothelium

A

layer of cells forming the inside of all blood vessel walls

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34
Q

Epididymis

A

narrow, coiled tube attached to the back of each testis in which sperm mature and are stored

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35
Q

Evolution

A

the process of change in a species that is driven by the selection of the best adapted genotypes as breeding stock

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36
Q

F1generation

A

the first generation produced by two parents in a cross

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37
Q

F2generation

A

the generation produced by crossing two individuals from the F1 generation

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38
Q

Follicle

A

group of cells in the ovary containing the ovum

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39
Q

FSH

A

follicle stimulating hormone, produced by the pituitary which stimulates gamete production in the testis and ovary

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40
Q

Gamete

A

sex cell: male - sperm; female - ovum/ova

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41
Q

Gene

A

a discrete region of a chromosome whose DNA codes for the production of a polypeptide or protein

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42
Q

Genotype

A

the genetic makeup of an individual with respect to a particular characteristic

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43
Q

Germline

A

cells in the body (at any stage) which could pass their genes on to the next generation, i.e.gametes or their precursors, including undifferentiated stem cells (c.f. somatic cells)

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44
Q

Glomerular filtrate

A

the liquid from the blood which passes by pressure filtration from the glomerulus into the

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45
Q

Glomeruli

A

(glomerulus) a capillary bed surrounded by the Bowman’s capsule of the kidney nephron where blood filtration occurs

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46
Q

Glucagon

A

a peptide hormone (composed of amino acids) released by the ?-cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, which stimulates the liver to convert glycogen to glucose

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47
Q

Gluconeogenesis

A

metabolic pathway located in the liver (and part of the kidney) which makes glucose from non-carbohydrate organic substrates, e.g. glycerol, lactate and certain amino acids

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48
Q

Glucose tolerance test

A

a biochemical test to establish how well a person responds to a large oral dose of is used as a diagnostic test for diabetes glucose; it

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49
Q

Glycogenesis

A

synthesis of glucose into glycogen, in the liver and the muscles

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50
Q

Haploid

A

a cell containing one set of chromosomes (gametes)

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51
Q

HDL/LDL ratio

A

the ratio of high density lipoproteins to low density lipoproteins in the blood

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52
Q

HDLs

A

high-density lipoproteins that carry cholesterol from tissues to the liver

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53
Q

Heterozygous/a heterozygote

A

an individual possessing two different alleles of a gene/individual who is heterozygous

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54
Q

Homologous pairs

A

pairs of chromosomes which carry the same genes at the same place, are the same length and have the centromere in the same place

55
Q

Homozygous/a homozygote

A

an individual possessing two identical alleles of a gene/an individual who is homozygous

56
Q

Hormone

A

a chemical released by a cell or gland in one part of the body which becomes attached to receptors on particular cells, triggering activity in these target cells

57
Q

Hyperglycaemia

A

blood glucose levels above 11mmol/L, causing a wide variety of symptoms including, at worst, coma and death

58
Q

Hypoglycaemia

A

blood glucose levels below 3mmol/L, causing a wide variety of symptoms including, at worst, coma and death

59
Q

Hypothalamus

A

located centrally at the base of the brain, it links the nervous system to the endocrine system through the pituitary gland, produces hormones, and controls body temperature, sleep, hunger, and daily body rhythm

60
Q

ICSH

A

interstitial cell stimulating hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, which stimulates testosterone in the interstitial cells of the testis; also known as LH (luteinising hormone) in the female

61
Q

ICSI

A

intracytoplasmic sperm injection

62
Q

Identical twins

A

(also called monozygotic twins) two individuals produced by the fertilisation of a single egg and the subsequent splitting of the ball of cells - they are therefore genetically identical

63
Q

Incompletely dominant

A

an allele that is not completely masked by the dominant allele and which therefore has some effect on an individual’s phenotype

64
Q

Insulin

A

a peptide hormone (composed of amino acids) released by the ?-cells of the islets of

65
Q

Interstitial cells

A

also known as Leydig cells, located between the seminiferous tubules of the testis, which release testosterone in response to ICSH

66
Q

Invasive

A

test procedures requiring the removal of tissue, e.g. amniocentesis

67
Q

IVF

A

in vitro fertilisation

68
Q

Karyotype

A

an image of the chromosomes of one cell arranged in homologous pairs, the karyotype, which is then analysed to identify any anomalies in terms of the numbers or structure of the chromosomes

69
Q

LDLs

A

low-density lipoproteins that carry cholesterol from the liver to body cells

70
Q

LH

A

luteinising hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, which triggers ovulation and also stimulates the development of the corpus luteum

71
Q

Linked genes

A

genes carried on the same chromosome

72
Q

Lipolysis

A

the break down of fat to fatty acids and glycerol in fat cells

73
Q

Lumen

A

central space in a blood vessel

74
Q

Luteal phase

A

portion of the menstrual cycle from ovulation to the end of menstruation, during which the corpus luteum develops and releases progesterone

75
Q

Lymphocytes

A

a type of white blood cell, which includes natural killer (NK) cells, T cells and B cells

76
Q

Medulla

A

part of the central core of the brain which regulates the basic processes of breathing, heart rate, arousal and sleep

77
Q

Meiosis

A

process of cell division taking place in the testis or ovary which produces gametes with one of each pair of chromosomes, so half the number in other body cells

78
Q

Menopause

A

the stage at the end of a woman’s reproductive life (typically between the ages of 45 and 55) when the ovaries cease to release ova and menstruation no longer occurs

79
Q

Menstrual cycle

A

physiological changes which take place in women of reproductive age, consisting of three phases: follicular, ovulation, and luteal

80
Q

Menstruation

A

shedding of the endometrium over 3-5 days

81
Q

Metabolism

A

a term referring to all of the chemical reactions that go on in cells to keep an organism alive

82
Q

Mitosis

A

process of cell division which gives rise to all cells in the body apart from the sex cells, which exactly copies all of the chromosomes into the daughter cells

83
Q

mmol/L

A

millimoles per litre, i.e. the molecular weight in grams, divided by 1000; for glucose 1mmol = 0.18 g

84
Q

Motile

A

ability to move on its own, using energy to do it

85
Q

Myocardial infarction

A

a heart attack that is caused by the interruption of the blood supply to part of the heart muscle, leading to its death

86
Q

Non-identical twins

A

(also called dizygotic twins) two individuals produced by the fertilisation of two eggs who are no more genetically similar than any other siblings

87
Q

Non-invasive

A

test procedures not requiring the removal of tissue, e.g. ultrasound scans

88
Q

Obesity

A

a condition in which fat has accumulated in the body to the extent that it begins to have an adverse effect on health

89
Q

Oestrogen

A

steroid hormone produced mainly in the follicles of the ovary, which causes the development of female secondary sexual characteristics during puberty and the development of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle

90
Q

Osmotic pressure

A

(OP) a measure of the tendency of a solution to take in water; if blood has a high OP because it contains a high concentration of glucose, it will tend to remove water from tissues with lower solute concentration

91
Q

Ovulation

A

mature follicle ruptures to release the ovum into the fallopian tube

92
Q

Pancreas

A

the organ that is located close under the stomach which supplies digestive enzymes to the small intestine and hormones into the blood

93
Q

Parasympathetic

A

part of the autonomic nervous system which is responsible for ‘rest and digest’ functions, generally slowing processes

94
Q

Pedigree chart

A

a diagram that shows the occurrence of the phenotypes of a particular gene from one generation to the next

95
Q

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

A

an obstruction by atherosclerosis of large arteries other than those in the vicinity of the heart or brain

96
Q

P generation

A

the parents at the start of any pedigree chart

97
Q

Phenotype

A

the expression of a gene in an individual in terms of appearance, behaviour or biochemistry

98
Q

Phenylketonuria

A

(PKU) a genetic disorder caused by a recessive mutation to the autosomal gene which produces the enzyme that converts phenylalanine to tyrosine; the build-up of phenylalanine after birth seriously slows brain development

99
Q

Pituitary gland

A

endocrine gland, attached to the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, which releases nine hormones involved in homeostasis

100
Q

Platelets

A

cell fragments which are formed in the bone marrow; they lack a nucleus and are involved in both blood clotting and tissue regeneration

101
Q

Polysaccharide

A

large carbohydrate molecules consisting of repeating units, e.g. glycogen, which is made up of glucose units

102
Q

Precursor

A

a compound that is part of the chemical reactions that produces another compound

103
Q

Primates

A

the class of vertebrate animals to which humans belongs, which includes species ranging in size from tiny lemurs to the gorilla; humans belong to the Hominidae family along with the great apes

104
Q

Progesterone

A

steroid hormone produced by the corpus luteum and the placenta, which promotes the

105
Q

Puberty

A

sequence of physical changes by which the human body develops from that of a child into that of an adult capable of reproduction

106
Q

Recessive

A

an allele that is not expressed in the phenotype of the heterozygote

107
Q

Red blood cells

A

cells which lack a nucleus; they are formed in the red bone marrow and transport oxygen around the body in the blood, taking it in when the oxygen concentration is high and giving it out when the surrounding oxygen concentration is low

108
Q

Respiratory substrates

A

molecules which may act as the raw materials of respiration, e.g. glucose, amino and fatty acids

109
Q

Saturated fats

A

fat containing only fatty acids which have no double bonds

110
Q

Semilunar valve

A

valve in the opening of the major arteries leaving the heart which prevent backflow into the ventricles during diastole

111
Q

Seminal fluid

A

fluid released during ejaculation by the male which contains sperm, water, proteins, amino acids, acids and minerals

112
Q

Seminiferous tubules

A

site of meiosis in the testes

113
Q

Sex-chromosome

A

one of the pair of chromosomes which determine the sex of the individual (XX in the female and XY in the male)

114
Q

Sex-linked genes

A

genes carried on the X-chromosome

115
Q

Siblings

A

offspring of the same parents, although the term can also be applied children who share a single parent (half- as opposed to full-siblings)

116
Q

Somatic

A

cells of the body other than the germline cells

117
Q

Stroke

A

a loss of brain function resulting from an interruption of blood supply caused by a blockage (thrombosis) or a haemorrhage

118
Q

Sucrose

A

a discaccharide sugar composed of glucose and fructose

119
Q

Superovulation

A

the development of several follicles and ova in a single menstrual cycle as a result of the taking of fertility drugs

120
Q

Sympathetic

A

part of the autonomic nervous system which is responsible for ‘fight or flight’ functions, generally speeding up processes

121
Q

Systole

A

contraction of the heart muscle, atrial systole preceding ventricular

122
Q

Testis

A

male reproductive organ

123
Q

Testosterone

A

steroid hormone, released by the interstitial cells, which stimulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics in puberty, sperm maturation, prevention of osteoporosis and many other effects

124
Q

Thrombosis

A

the formation of a blood clot in an artery, which may break away to form an embolus - this may block the artery, causing a stroke or heart attack

125
Q

Thrombus

A

a blood clot

126
Q

Tissue fluid

A

(interstitial fluid) liquid which leaves the capillaries and bathes all cells; differs from blood in lacking red blood cells and the largest protein molecules

127
Q

Twins

A

two individuals produced in the same pregnancy

128
Q

Type 1 diabetes

A

formerly known as juvenile diabetes, usually developing in childhood, it is caused by autoimmune destruction of the ?-cells in the pancreas which produce insulin

129
Q

Type 2 diabetes

A

also known as non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes, it is caused by the development of insulin resistance or, less often, by failure of insulin production

130
Q

Vasoconstriction

A

narrowing of the smaller arteries and arterioles, restricting blood supply

131
Q

Vasodilation

A

opening up of the smaller arteries and arterioles, increasing blood supply

132
Q

Ventricles

A

lower chambers of the heart

133
Q

White blood cells

A

cells of various types which are formed in the bone marrow and act as part of the immune system, combatting disease

134
Q

Zygote

A

cell formed as the result of fertilisation, the fusion of sperm and egg

Higher Human Biology (27 decks)

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