Year 2 Definitions Flashcards
‘Universal Energy Currency’
ATP found in all living eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, and links energy-releasing and energy-consuming reactions
Phosphorylation
Addition of a phosphate group, providing a -ve charge to the substrate
Electron Carriers
Specialised carrier globular proteins that accept or donate electrons, and have a quaternary structure (since they have a prosthetic group)
Anaerobic respiration
When molecules other than oxygen are used as final electron acceptors, which allows glycolysis to continue and produce 2 ATP
Facultative Anaerobe
Can survive in both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, although growth is faster in aerobic
Respiratory Substrate
An organic molecule that can be oxidised in respiration to produce ATP
RQ
Respiratory Quotient. The ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide evolved to that of oxygen consumed by an organism, tissue or cell in a given time. Indicates the type of respiratory substrate being used
Aerobic Fitness
A measure of the ability of the heart and lungs to respond to the demands of aerobic exercise
VO2 Max
The maximum rate at which oxygen can be taken in, transported and utilised, as measured during incremental exercise
Excessive Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC)
The increased volume of oxygen consumed following vigorous exercise
Respiratory Pigment
A specialised molecule that is capable of binding reversibly with oxygen
Association
The binding uptake of oxygen by haemoglobin to form oxyhaemoglobin
Dissociation
The ability of oxyhaemoglobin to release oxygen from haem groups
Oxygen Dissociation Curve
A graph that shows the relationship between the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) and % saturation of haemoglobin
Bohr Shift
Decrease in blood pH due to presence of carbon dioxide causes more oxygen to dissociate from haemoglobin in erythrocytes. Respiring tissues require more oxygen for more aerobic respiration to produce more ATP, so more carbon dioxide is produced, so less haemoglobin can combine with oxygen, so oxygen is released more easily
Oogenesis
The formation of secondary oocytes
GIFT
Sperm and secondary oocyte inserted into the oviduct and fertilisation occurs naturally inside the woman’s body
ZIFT
Fertilisation occurs in the lab, then the zygote is transferred to the oviduct
Ovulation Induction
Used when oocytes do not develop normally. Anti-oestrogen administered day 5-10, increases production of GnRH and secretion of LH and FSH from APG. Ultrasound detects developing follicles if present
Intrauterine Insemination
Sperm removed and washed to remove mucus and non-mobile sperm. Sperm concentrated in specialised medium, and sperm can then be injected into uterus via artificial insemination
Ageing
The accumulation of physical and physiological changes within a person
Senescence
The deterioration of tissues and the loss of their biological function as a result of time, which increases the mortality of the organism
Ovarian Reserve
The ability of an ovary to produce secondary oocytes that can be fertilised
Menopause
The last menstrual cycle in a woman. Onset normally 50-54 years
Perimenopause
Occurs several years before menopause. Periods become irregular and infrequent. Length of time between periods increases to cessation (menopause)
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Replacement of hormones that are decreasing in concentration due to the menopause
Unopposed Oestrogen
Daily oestrogen. Good for early menopause, but increases risk of uterine cancer
Combined HRT
Daily oestrogen and progestin. Reduces risk of endometrial cancer
Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens
Naturally occurring, mimic oestrogen. Converted to oestrogen-like compounds in gut by hydrolysis, and reduce effects of viral infections, such as isoflavones or lignans
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Increase in cell quantity, result of ageing in men, causing scarring of prostate tissue
Benign Prostate Hypertrophy
Increase in cell size, result of ageing in men, causing scarring of prostate tissue
Light Compensation Point
The amount of light intensity on the light curve where the rate of photosynthesis exactly matches the rate of respiration, usually achieved at dawn and dusk
Food Chain
Illustrates the transfer of energy between organisms within an ecosystem
Ecosystem
The biotic and abiotic components of a specific area, and their interactions
Community
The organisms within an ecosystem
Producer
An autotrophic organism that converts light energy to chemical energy
Primary Consumers
Organisms that gain their organic molecules and chemical energy from the consumption of producers
Secondary Consumers
Carnivores or omnivores that eat primary consumers
Tertiary Consumers
Carnivores or omnivores that eat secondary consumers
Trophic Level
The level at which each consumer eats in a food chain
Ectotherm
An animal that relies on external sources of heat for thermoregulation
Malthusian Crisis
The population in an area grows to exceed its food supply, resulting in mass starvation and population decrease
Overfishing
Over-exploitation where fish stocks are reduced to below acceptable levels
Farm
An ecosystem manipulated by humans to increase productivity based on biotic and abiotic factors
Gross Primary Productivity
The rate that producers convert light energy into chemical potential energy
Net Primary Productivity
The energy available for transfer after a plant uses some for respiration
(NPP = GPP – respiration)
Spray Drift
When herbicides and pesticides kill a non-target species
Food Security
A stable food supply
Sampling
Obtaining an estimate of the variety and quantity of organisms in an ecosystem
Stratified Sampling
Representative random sampling with sub regions
Transect
Identifies correlations between abiotic variables and distribution of organisms
Species Richness
The total number of species in an area
Species Evenness
How evenly a species is represented in an area
Pollination
The transfer of pollen grains from male reproductive structures to female reproductive structures of another plant prior to fertilisation
Self-Pollination
Pollen transferred to the stigma of the same flower, or another flower on the same plant
Cross-Pollination
Pollen is transferred from one plant’s anther to another plant’s stigma
Germination
Plant growth from a seed, including the growth of an embryo root and shoot
Gibberellins
Plant ‘hormones’ required for germination as growth regulators and cell signalling molecules
Photoperiodism
The reactions of Pr and Pfr that occur in daylight and darkness
Global Food Supply
The annual production of a specific crop, plus stockpiles of it carried over from previous years
Monogenetic Trait
A characteristic controlled by a single trait