Whole Glossary Flashcards
1
Q
Extinction
A
The permanent loss of all members of the species from an area or from the world
2
Q
Genetic engineering
A
The process by which scientists can manipulate and change the genotype of an organism
3
Q
carbohydrases
A
enzymes that speed up the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars
4
Q
Tumour
A
A mass of abnormally growing cells that forms when the cells do not respond to the normal mechanisms that control growth and when control of the cell cycle is lost
5
Q
Homozygote
A
Individual with two identical alleles for a characteristic
6
Q
Cellulose
A
The complex carbohydrate that makes up plant and algal cell walls and gives them strength
7
Q
Proteins
A
Molecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen and are made of long chains of amino acids. They are used for building the cells and tissues of the body and form enzymes
8
Q
Pyramid of numbers
A
Model of feeding relationships based on the biomass at each level of the food chain
9
Q
Pathogens
A
Microorganisms that cause disease
10
Q
Vena Cava
A
The large vein that brings deoxygenated blood from the body into the heart
11
Q
hyperopia
A
Long sightedness, where the rays of light from distant objects can be focus clearly on the retina of the rays of light from close objects are not focused and the objects appear blurred
12
Q
White blood cells
A
Blood cells involved in the immune system of the body. They engulf pathogens and make antibodies and antitoxins
13
Q
Limiting factors
A
Limit the rate of a reaction, for example photosynthesis
14
Q
HypERtonic (osmosis)
A
A solution that is MORE concentrated than the cell contents
15
Q
Cerebellum
A
Region of the brain concerned with coordinating muscular activity and balance
16
Q
capillaries
A
the smallest blood vessels. They run between individual cells and have a wall that is only one cell thick
17
Q
Prokaryotic cells
A
From prokaryotic organisms that have a cytoplasm surrounded by a cell membrane and a cell wall that does not contain cellulose. The genetic material is a DNA loop that is free in the cytoplasm and not enclosed by a nucleus. Sometimes there are one or more small rings of DNA called plasmids
18
Q
Urea
A
The waste product formed by the breakdown of excess amino acids in the liver
19
Q
decomposers
A
Micro organisms that breakdown waste products and dead bodies
20
Q
Ciliary muscles
A
The muscles that contract and relax to change the shape of the lens of the eye
21
Q
active transport
A
the movement of substances from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution against a concentration gradient, requiring energy from respiration
22
Q
Producers
A
Organisms such as plants and algae that can make food from raw materials such as carbon dioxide and water
23
Q
Partially permeable membrane
A
A membrane that allows only certain substances to pass through
24
Q
Cytoplasm
A
The water base gel in which the organelles of all living cells are suspended and most of the chemical reactions of life take place
25
Chlorosis
The yellowing seen on the leaves of plants when they cannot make chlorophyll due to lack of magnesium irons
26
Double circulatory system
The circulation of blood from the heart to the lungs is separate from the circulation of blood from the heart to the rest of the body
27
Vaccine
Dead or in active pathogenic material used in vaccination to develop immunity to disease in a healthy person
28
Trophic level
Feeding levels in an ecosystem
29
Suspensory ligaments
The ligaments that connect the lens of the eye to the ciliary muscles
30
Heterozygote
Individual with different alleles for a characteristic
31
Nucleus
Organelle found in many living cells containing the genetic information surrounded by the nuclear membrane
32
Isomerase
An enzyme that converts one form of a molecule into another
33
Tissue culture
A modern way of cloning plants that allows thousands of new plants to be created from one piece of plant tissue
34
Quantitative sampling
Records the numbers of organisms rather than just a type
35
Isotonic (osmosis)
A solution that is the same concentration as the cell contents
36
adult stem cells
stem cells that are found in adults that can differentiate and form a limited number of cells
37
binary fission
reproduction by simple cell division, for example in bacteria
38
Tropism
The responses of plant roots and shoots to environmental stimuli such as light or gravity
39
Species
The smallest group of clearly identified organisms in Linnaeus's classification system, often described as a group of organisms that can breed together and produce fertile offspring
40
Plasma
The clear yellow-liquid part of the blood that carries dissolved substances and blood cells around the body
41
Pulmonary artery
The large blood vessel that takes de-oxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs
42
Stomata
Openings in the leaves of plants, particularly on the underside, opened and closed by guard cells, allowing gases to enter and leave the leaf
43
Catalyst
A substance that speeds up the rate of another reaction but is not used up or changed itself
44
Ovulation
The release of a mature egg (ovum) from the ovary
45
Homoeostasis
The regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to maintain optimum conditions for function in response to internal and external changes
46
cancer
the common name for a malignant tumour, formed as a result of changes in the cells that lead to uncontrolled growth and division
47
Red blood cells
Biconcave cells that contain the red pigment haemoglobin and carry oxygen around the body in the blood
48
amino acids
molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen an nitrogen that are the building blocks of proteins
49
Turgor
The pressure inside a plant cell exerted by the cell contents pressing on the cell wall
50
Ventricles
Chambers of the heart the contract for blood out of the heart
51
dominant allele
the phenotype will be apparent in the offspring even if only one of the alleles is inherited
52
Digestive system
Organ system where food is digestive and absorbed
53
Resolving power
A measure of the ability to distinguish between two separate points that are very close together
54
Ova
The female sex cells, eggs
55
Dialysis
The process of cleaning the blood through a dialysis machine when the kidneys fail
56
Platelets
Fragments of cells in the blood to play a vital role in the clotting mechanism of the blood
57
Denatured
The breakdown of the molecular structure of a protein so it no longer functions
58
cerebral cortex
Region of the brain associated with consciousness memory and language
59
Sensory neurone
Neurone that carries impulses from the sensory organs to the central nervous system
60
adaptations
special features that make an organism particularly well suited to the environment where it lives
61
Placebo
A medicine that does not contain the active drug being tested, used in clinical trials of new medicines
62
Lactic acid
The end product of anaerobic respiration in animal cells
63
Mean
The arithmetical average of a series of numbers
64
Diffusion
The spreading out of particles of any substance in a solution or particles in a gas resulting in a net movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration down a concentration gradient
65
Carbon cycle
The cycling of carbon through the living and nonliving world
66
Effectors
Areas (usually muscles or glands) that bring about responses in the body
67
LDL
LDL (low-density lipoprotein), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, makes up most of your body’s cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.
68
Lipase
Enzymes that speed up the breakdown of lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
69
Organ
And aggregation (collection) of different tissues working together to carry out specific functions
70
phenotype
the physical appearance / biochemistry of an individual for a particular characteristic
71
Coronary arteries
The blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle
72
phloem
the living transport tissue in plants that carries dissolved food (sugars) around the plant
73
anaerobic respiration
an exothermic reaction in which glucose is broken down in the absence of oxygen to produce lactic acid in animals and ethanol and carbon dioxide in plants and yeast. A small amount of energy is transferred for the cells
74
Zygote
The single new self formed by the fusion of gametes in sexual reproduction
75
Preclinical testing
Is carried out on a potential new medicine in a laboratory using cells, tissues and live animals
76
Punnett square diagram
A way of modelling a genetic cross and predicting the outcome using probability
77
Oestrogen
Female sex hormone that controls the development of secondary sexual characteristics girls at puberty, and the buildup and maintenance of the uterus lining during the menstrual cycle
78
Insulin
Hormone involved in the control of blood sugars
79
Type 1 diabetes
A disorder where the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin
80
Selective reabsorption
The process in the kidney where the material is needed in the body such as glucose, some mineral ions, and water are reabsorbed back into the blood from the filtrate
81
Medulla
The region of the brain concerned with unconscious activities such as controlling the heart rate and breathing rate
82
amylase
enzyme that speeds up the digestion of starch into sugars
83
Type 2 diabetes
A disorder where the body cells no longer respond to the insulin produced by the pancreas
84
Incident energy
Light from the sun arriving at the surface of the Earth
85
Palisade mesophyll
The upper layer of the mesophyll tissue implant leaves made up of closely packed cells that contain many chloroplasts for photosynthesis
86
Central nervous system CNS
The part of the nervous system where information is processed it is made up of the brain and the spinal cord
87
Cell membrane
The membrane around the contents of the cell controls what moves in and out of the cell
88
Hybridomas
Cells created during the production of monoclonal antibodies by the fusion of an antibody-specific lymphocyte and a tumour cell
89
Natural selection
The process by which evolution takes place. Organisms produce more offspring than the environment can support. Only those that are most suited to their environment will survive and breed and pass on their useful characteristics to their offspring
90
agar gel
widely used solid (gel) culture medium used for growing microorganisms
91
Eukaryotic cells
Cells from eukaryotes that have a cell membrane, cytoplasm and genetic material enclosed in a nucleus
92
Interdependence
The network of relationships between different organisms within the community, for example each species depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination, seed dispersal, etc.
93
Fatty acids
Part of the structure of a lipid molecule
94
aerobic respiration
an exothermic reaction in which glucose is broken down using oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water and release energy for the cells
95
bacteria
single-celled prokaryotic organisms
96
Gibberellins
Plant hormones that are important in initiating seed germination
97
Sperm
The male sex cells or gametes that carries the genetic material from the male parent
98
Pulmonary vein
The large blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart
99
Haemoglobin
The red pigment that carries oxygen around the body in the red blood cells
100
Pituitary gland
Endo crying "master gland" found in the brain that secretes a number of different hormones into the blood in response to different conditions to control other endocrine glands in the body
101
Reflexes
Rapid automatic responses of the nervous system that do not involve conscious thought
102
algae
simple aquatic organism (protista) that make their own food by photosynthesis
103
Differentiate
Process where cells become specialised for particular function
104
Osmosis
The diffusion of water through a partially permeable membrane from a dilutes solution (which has a high concentration of water) to a concentrated solution (with a low concentration of water) down a concentration gradient
105
recessive
a phenotype that will only show up in the offspring if both of the alleles coding for that characteristic are inherited
106
aphids
insects that penetrate the plant phloem and feed on the dissolved food. They act as plant pathogens and are also vectors that carry pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and fungi into healthy plant tissue
107
active site
the site on an enzyme where the reactants bind
108
Chloroplasts
The organelles in which photosynthesis takes place
109
Extremophile
An organism that can survive and reproduce in extreme conditions
110
ADH
anti-diuretic hormone helps control the water balance of the body and affects the amount of urine produced by the kidney
111
Gravitropism
The response of a plant to gravity
112
Noncommunicable diseases
are not infectious and cannot be passed from one organism to another
113
Cystic fibrosis
And inherited disorder that affects the lungs digestive and reproductive system and is inherited through a recessive allele
114
archaea
one of the three domains, containing primitive forms of bacteria that can live in many of the extreme environments of the world
115
HypOtonic (osmosis)
A solution that is LESS concentrated than the cell contents
116
Xylem
The nonliving transport tissue in plants that transports water from the roots to the leaves and shoots
117
Metabolism
The sum of all the reactions taking place in a cell or the body of an organism
118
biomass
the amount of biological material in an organism
119
Reflex arcs
Bring about a reflex action. They involve the sense organ, sensory neurone, relay neurone and motor neurone
120
Embryonic stem cells
Stem cells from an early embryo that can differentiate the form of specialised cells of the body
121
Polydactyly
A dominant inherited disorder that results in babies born with extra fingers and / or toes
122
Distribution
Where particular types of organisms are found within an environment
123
meiosis
the two stage process of cell division that reduces the chromosome number of daughter cells. It is involved in making gametes fro sexual reproduction
124
Transpiration
The loss of water vapour from the leaves of plants through the stomata when they are open to allow gas exchange for photosynthesis. It involves evaporation from the surface of the cells and diffusion through the stomata
125
Nerve
Bundle of hundreds or even thousands of neurons
126
Secondary consumer
Animals that eat the primary consumers
127
mitosis
part of the cell cycle where one set of new chromosomes is pulled to each end of the cell forming two identical nuclei during cell division
128
Spongy mesophyll
The lower layer of mesophyll tissue implant leaves that contains some chloroplasts and many larger spaces to give a big surface area for the exchange of gases
129
alveoli
tiny air sacs in the lungs that increase the surface area for gaseous exchange
130
Quadrat
A sample area used for measuring the abundance and distribution of organisms in the field
131
Culture medium
A liquid or gel used to support the growth of microorganisms or other cultures often containing specific nutrients
132
Simple sugars
Small carbohydrate units, four example glucose
133
Plasmolysis
The state of plant cells when so much water is lost from the cell by osmosis that the vacuole and cytoplasm shrink and the cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall
134
Correlation
And apparent link or relationship between two factors
135
Permanent vacuole
Space in the cytoplasm filled with cell sap
136
aorta
the artery that leaves the heart from the left ventricle and carries oxygenated blood to the body
137
Cell cycle
The three stage process of cell division in a body cell that involves mitosis and results in the formation of two identical daughter cells
138
biodiversity
a measure of the variety of all the different species of organisms on earth
139
Glucagon
Hormone involved in the control of blood sugar levels
140
benign tumours
growths of abnormal cells that are contained in one area, usually within a membrane, and do not invade other tissues
141
Epidermal
The name given to cells that make up the epidermis or outer layer of an organism
142
auxin
a plant hormone that controls the responses of plants to light (geotropism) and gravity (gravitropism)
143
Nitrates
Mineral ions needed by plants to form proteins
144
Median
The middle value in a list of numbers
145
Testosterone
The main male sex hormone that controls the male secondary sexual characteristics ability and the production of sperm
146
Evolutionary trees
Models used to explain the evolutionary links between groups of organisms
147
Endocrine system
The glands that produce the hormones that control many aspects of the development and metabolism of the body and the hormones they produce
148
bile
neutralises stomach acid to give a high pH for the enzymes from the pancreas and small intestine to work well. It is not an enzyme.
149
Motor neurones
Carry impulses from the central nervous system to the effector organs
150
Ribosomes
The site of protein synthesis in a cell
151
Malignant tumours
Invade neighbouring tissues and spread to different parts of the body in the blood where they form secondary tumours. They also known as cancers
152
Neurones
Basic cells of the nervous system that carry minute electrical impulses around the body
153
Coordination centres
Areas that receive and process information from receptors
154
Stimuli
Changes in the external or internal environment that can be detected by receptors
155
exothermic reaction
Reaction that transfers energy to the environment
156
Glycerol
Part of the structure of a lipid molecule
157
Enzymes
Biological catalysts usually proteins
158
Chlorophyll
The green pigment contained in the chloroplasts
159
Therapeutic cloning
A process where an embryo is produced that is genetically identical to the patient so the cells can be used in medical treatments
160
Organ system
A group of organs that work together to carry out specific functions and form organisms
161
Photosynthesis
The process by which plants make food using carbon dioxide, water, and light
162
dominant allele
the phenotype will be apparent in the offspring even if only one of the alleles is inherited
163
Proteases
Enzymes that speed up the breakdown of proteins into amino acids
164
hormones
chemicals produce in one area of the body of an organism that have an effect on the functioning of another area of the body. In animals hormones are produced in glands.
165
Cloning
The production of identical offspring by asexual reproduction
166
abundance
a measure of how common or rare a particular type of organism is in a given environment
167
Tissue
A group of specialised cells with similar structure and function
168
Veins
Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. They usually carry D oxygenated blood and have valves to prevent the back flow of blood
169
Selective breeding
Speeds up natural selection by selecting animals or plants for breeding that have a required characteristic
170
Translocation
The movement of sugars from the leaves to the rest of the plant through the phloem
171
sexual reproduction
involves the joining (fusion) of male and female gametes producing genetic variation in offspring
172
Mitochondria
The site of aerobic cellular respiration in the cell
173
Myopia
Long sightedness, where the rays of light from distant objects can be focus clearly on the retina with the rays of light from close objects are not focused and the object appears blurred
174
Mode
The number which occurs most often in a set of data
175
Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
Transmitted from an infected person to an infected person by unprotected sexual contact
176
Stem cells
Undifferentiated cells with the potential to form a wide variety of different cell types
177
Phototropism
The response of a plant to light, controlled by auxin
178
Nucleotide
A molecule made up of a sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four different bases. They are key units in the structure of DNA and RNA
179
Primary consumer
Animals that eat producers
180
Range
The maximum and minimum values for the independent or dependent variables – important in ensuring that any patterns are detected
181
Vasoconstriction
Construction or narrowing of the blood vessels
182
bases (DNA)
nitrogenous compounds that make up part of the structures of DNA and RNA. They are represented by the letters A, T, C and G
183
asexual reproduction
involves only one individual and the offspring is identical to the parent. their is no fusion of gametes or mixing of genetic information.
184
Mutation
A change in the genetic material of an organism
185
HDL
HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.
186
sex chromosomes
carry the information that determines the sex of an individual
187
Transect
I measured line or area along which ecological measurements are made
188
Oxygen debt
The extra oxygen that must be taken into the body after exercise has stopped to complete the aerobic respiration of lactic acid
189
Guard cells
Surround the stigmata in the leaves of plants and control their opening and closing
190
Sample Size
The size of a sample in an investigation
191
activation energy
the minimum amount of energy needed for a given chemical reaction to take place
192
atria
the upper chambers of the heart
193
alleles
different forms of the same gene sometimes referred to as variants
194
Glucose
A simple sugar
195
Efficacy
A measure of how effective a drug is
196
arteries
blood vessels that cary blood away from the heart. They usually carry oxygenated blood and have a pulse
197
ovaries
female sex organs that produce eggs and sex hormones
198
Communicable disease
Disease caused by pathogens that can be passed from one organism to another
199
Endothermic reaction
A reaction that requires a transfer of energy from the environment
200
Carcinogens
Agents that cause cancer will significantly increase the risk of developing cancer
201
Glycogen
Carbohydrate store in animals
202
Ionising radiation
Has enough energy to cause ionisation in the materials it passes through, which in turn can make them biologically active and may result in mutation and cancer
203
Toxicity
A measure of how toxic (poisonous) a substance is
204
Community
Group of independent living organisms in an ecosystem
205
Receptors
Cells that detect stimuli – changes in the internal or external environment
206
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Causes the eggs to mature in the ovary
207
Stent
A metal mesh placed in a blocked or partially blocked artery. They are used to open up the blood vessel by the inflation of a tiny balloon
208
Lipids
Include facts and oils and I found in foods such as butter, olive oil, and crisps. They are made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
209
adrenaline
hormone that prepares the body for fight or flight
210
Causal mechanism
Something that explains how one factor influences another
211
Cell wall
The rigid structure around plant and algal cells. It is made of cellulose and strengthens the cell
212
Inoculate
Introducing microorganisms to a culture medium, or introducing modified microorganisms into an individual to protect them against disease
213
Clinical trials
Test potential new drugs on healthy and patient volunteers
214
Ventilated
Movement of air or water into and out of the gas exchange organ, for example lungs or girls
215
Classification
The organisation of living organisms into groups according to their similarities
216
Thermoregulatory centre
The area of the brain that is sensitive to the temperature of the blood
217
carbphydrates
molecules that contain only carbo, hydrogen, and oxygen. They provide the energy for the metabolism and are found in foods such as rice, potatoes, an bread.
218
Statins
Drugs used to lower blood cholesterol levels and improve the balance of HDLs to LDLs in the blood
219
Penicillium
The mould from which the antibiotic penicillin is extracted
220
Competition
The process by which living organisms compete with each other for limited resources such as food light or reproductive partners
