Vocabulary Flashcards
Diffusion
Diffusion is the net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration (down a concentration gradient).
Osmosis
Osmosis is the net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential (dilute solution) to a region of lower water potential (concentrated solution), through a partially permeable membrane.
Water potential
The ability of water molecules to flow freely inside a given environment or system can also be measured using water potential.
Hypertonic vs Hypotonic
A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solute than another solution, meaning water will flow into it. A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solute than another solution, meaning water will flow out of it.
Active transport
Movement of particles across a cell membrane against a concentration gradient using the energy from respiration. Movement comes in the forms of pumps to move the particles the wrong way.
5 biomolecules
Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic acids, Proteins, and Water
Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions.
Active site
The active site of an enzyme is the part of the enzyme where substrate molecules bind and a chemical reaction takes place.
Substrate
The molecules upon which enzymes may act are
called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products.
Products
Enzymes modify the bound substrate, converting it to a different molecule — the product of the reaction.
Anabolism
Set of metabolic pathways that synthesizes larger molecules from smaller ones. Energy is taken in.
Catabolism
Set of metabolic pathways that synthesizes smaller molecules from larger ones. Energy is given out.
Macronutrients
Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Water
Micronutrients
Vitamins and minerals
Calories
The energy in food is measured by a unit called a calorie.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. The term malnutrition addresses 3 broad groups of conditions: undernutrition, micro-nutrient related malnutrition, overweight/obesity.
