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433 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
A molecule consisting of two amino acids joined by a peptide bond.
Dipeptide
The process of taking materials into a cell by surrounding them with plasma membrane, which pinches off to form a vesicle inside the cell. This is an active process requiring ATP.
Endocytosis
A specialised area adapted to make it easier for molecules to cross from one side of the surface to the other.
Exchange surface
Taxonomic group used in the classification of living organisms. Contains related genera.
Family
A vessel used to grow microorganisms in large numbers.
Fermenter
Sex cells, usually haploid (one set of chromosomes). Fuse during sexual reproduction to form zygotes (diploid).
Gamete
The sum total and variety of all the genes in a population or species at a given time.
Gene pool
The covalent bond formed when carbohydrate molecules are joined together in condensation reactions.
Glycosidic bond
The place where an organism or population lives. It includes the climatic, topographic and edaphic factors as well as the plants and animals that live there.
Habitat
The iron-containing prosthetic group found in haemoglobin.
Haem
The acid produced when haemoglobin takes up hydrogen ions.
Haemoglobinic acid
The rupturing of animal cell surface membranes, and subsequent release of their contents, when cells placed in a solution of higher water potential and water enters by osmosis.
Haemolysis
Complete mental, physical and social wellbeing.
Health
Type of protein associated with DNA in eukaryotes. DNA is wound around them to form chromatin.
Histone
Chemicals made in endocrine glands that are carried in the blood to target cells/tissues/organs. They act as chemical messengers.
Hormone
A chain of carbon atoms bonded together with hydrogen atoms bonded onto the carbons.
Hydrocarbon chain
A response to an antigen, which involves the activation of lymphocytes.
Immune response
Ability of the immune system to respond very quickly to antigens that it recognises as they have entered the body before.
Immunological memory
The number of new cases of a disease in a certain time period.
Incidence
The theory of enzyme action in which the enzyme molecule changes shape to fit the substrate molecule more closely as it binds to it.
Induced fit (hypothesis)
A group of factors with non-specific antiviral activity. They also affect the immune system.
Interferon
Inside the cell.
Intracellular
An atom (or group of atoms) carrying a positive or a negative charge.
Ion
Attraction between oppositely charged ions.
Ionic bond
Fibrous protein found in skin, hair and nails.
Keratin
White blood cells.
Leucocytes
A diverse group of chemicals that includes triglycerides, fatty acids and cholesterol.
Lipids
The simple theory of enzyme action where the active site is directly complementary to the substrate molecule.
Lock-and-key hypothesis
A cavity surrounded by a cell wall in cells, such as xylem vessels, which have lost their cell contents. Also used for the central cavities of blood vessels.
Lumen
A type of white blood cell activated as part of the immune response.
Lymphocyte
Membrane-bound vesicles made by pinching off from the Golgi body. They usually contain digestive enzymes.
Lysosomes
Large, phagocytic, amoeba-like white blood cells that engulf, ingest and destroy bacteria, damaged cells and worn-out red blood cells.
Macrophages
The number of time greater an image is than the object.
Magnification
A type of RNA polynucleotide involved in protein synthesis. Carries the information coding for a polypeptide from the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Proteins associated with microtubules. The proteins can move along microtubules. Kinesin moves towards the (+) end of the microtubules and dynein moves towards the (–) end.
Microtubule motors
Nuclear division that results in the formation of cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.
Mitosis
A crop of plants of a single species bred to be very similar.
Monoculture
Large, phagocytic white blood cell.
Monocyte
A small molecule that is one of the units bonded together to form a polymer.
Monomer
A simple sugar molecule. The monomer of polysaccharides.
Monosaccharide
The proportion of people in a population who are ill with a particular disease at any one time.
Morbidity
The number of people who die from a disease in a certain time period.
Mortality
A slimy substance secreted by goblet cells in animal epithelial tissues. It is made up mostly of glycoproteins and protects and/or lubricates the surface on to which it is secreted.
Mucus
A change in the structure of DNA, or in the structure and number of chromosomes.
Mutation
The mass of filaments (hyphae) that make up the body of a fungus.
Mycelium
The mechanism for evolution in which the best-adapted organisms in a population can outcompete those that are less well-adapted.
Natural selection
The exact role of an organism in the ecosystem – its use of the living and non-living components of the ecosystem.
Niche
An inhibitor of an enzyme-controlled reaction that binds to the enzyme molecule in a region away from the active site.
Non-competitive inhibitor
The double membrane structure surrounding the nucleus in eukaryotic cells.
Nuclear envelope
The monomer of nucleic acids consisting of a phosphate, a sugar and an organic base.
Nucleotide
A large, membrane-bound organelle found in eukaryotic cells, which contains the genetic material in the form of chromosomes.
Nucleus
The total substances taken into an animal or plant for use in metabolism (the sum total of its diet).
Nutrition
Steroid hormone made in ovaries.
Oestrogen
An animal that eats plant and animal material.
Omnivore
Infection caused by an organism that infects a host with a weakened (compromised) immune system.
Opportunistic infection
A collection of tissues that work together to perform a specific overall function or set of functions within a multicellular organism.
Organ
Structure inside a cell. Each has a specific function and many are surrounded by membrane.
Organelle
Nitrogenous coompound in nucleic acid: adenine, thymine, uracil, cytosine, guanine are examples.
Organic base
The amount of oxygen in the air expressed as the pressure created by the presence of oxygen, expressed in kilopascals (kPa).
Oxygen tension
Describes blood carrying oxygen in the form of oxyhaemoglobin.
Oxygenated
Haemoglobin with oxygen molecules attached.
Oxyhaemoglobin
Describes a disease that is spreading worldwide or over continents.
Pandemic
Relatively unspecialised plant cells. They have living contents and thin, permeable cellulose cell walls. They may be able to photosynthesise, store food or support young plants.
Parenchyma
The proportion of total pressure provided by a particular gas as part of a mixture of gases.
Partial pressure
A membrane that will allow some molecules to pass through but will not allow some others to pass through.
Partially permeable membrane
Immunity acquired indirectly without activation of the lymphocytes, such as through the placenta, from breast milk, or by injection.
Passive immunity
An organism that causes disease.
Pathogen
A molecule consisting of a small number of amino acids bonded together by (covalent) peptide bonds.
Peptide
The covalent bond formed when amino acids are joined together in condensation reactions.
Peptide bond
Muscular contractions of muscle layers of gut to squeeze food along.
Peristalsis
Gives measure of acidity/alkalinity of a solution. It is the reciprocal of the logarithmic value of the hydrogen ion concentration.
pH
A cell that can carry out phagocytosis and ingest bacteria or small particles. Macrophages and neutrophils are phagocytes.
Phagocyte
A vacuole inside a phagocyte which is created by an infolding of the plasma (cell surface) membrane to engulf a foreign particle. The foreign particle is held inside this.
Phagosome
A tissue in plants that is used to transport dissolved sugars and other substances.
Phloem
A molecule consisting of a glycerol molecule, two fatty acid molecules and a phosphate group covalently bonded together. Forms the basis of cell membranes.
Phospholipid
Process by which plants, some bacteria and some protoctists make food using carbon dioxide, water and sunlight energy.
Photosynthesis
The evolutionary relationships between organisms.
Phylogeny
A taxonomic group used in classification of living organisms. Contains similar classes.
Phylum
The process of endocytosis involving the bulk movement of liquids into a cell.
Pinocytocis
Thin areas in the lignified walls of xylem tissue cells that allow communication between adjacent cells.
Pits (or bordered pits)
Fatty material built up under the endothelium of an artery.
Plaque
Mature B-lymphocytes (white blood cells) that secrete a specific kind of antibody.
Plasma cells
Proteins made in the liver that are found in the non-cellular fraction of the blood.
Plasma proteins
Small, circular piece of DNA present in some bacterial cells. May have genes for antibiotic resistance and can also be used as vectors in genetic engineering.
Plasmid
A fine strand of cytoplasm that links the protoplasm of adjacent cells through a thin area of cell wall called a pit.
Plasmodesma(ta)
Detachment of the plasma membrane from the cell wall as the cytoplasm shrinks when water is lost from a plant cell.
Plasmolysis
Fragments of cells in the blood that play a part in blood clotting.
Platelets
Stem cells capable of differentiating to become a limited number of cell types found in the organism (e.g. cells of an early embryo).
Pluripotent
A large molecule made up of many/repeating similar, smaller molecules (monomers) covalently bonded together.
Polymer
A polymer consisting of many nucleotide monomers covalently bonded together (DNA and RNA are examples).
Polynucleotide
A polymer consisting of many amino acid monomers covalently bonded together.
Polypeptide
A polymer consisting of many monosaccharide monomers covalently bonded together.
Polysaccharide
Apparatus used to measure water uptake in a leafy shoot and so to estimate rate of transpiration.
Potometer
A suspension of small solid particles in a liquid, produced by a chemical reaction.
Precipitate
The number of people with a particular disease at a certain time.
Prevalence
The defences that prevent the entry of a pathogen into the body.
Primary defences
The sequence of amino acids found in a protein molecule.
Primary structure
An organism with cells that do not contain a true nucleus.
Prokaryote
The phase of mitosis where the chromosomes become visible as a pair of sister chromatids joined at the centromere.
Prophase
A non-protein organic molecule that forms a permanent part of a functioning protein molecule.
Prosthetic group
An enzyme capable of digesting proteins.
Protease
A polymer consisting of many amino acid monomers covalently bonded together.
Protein
The circulation of the blood through the lungs.
Pulmonary circulation
The vein carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.
Pulmonary vein
Adenine and guanine – nitrogenous bases consisting of a double ring structure.
Purine
Specialised tissue (muscle fibres) in the septum of the heart that conducts the electrical stimulus from the sinoatrial node to the ventricles.
Purkyne tissue (Purkinje tissue)
Thymine, cytosine and uracil – nitrogenous bases consisting of a single ring structure.
Pyrimidine
A square frame used for sampling in field work.
Quadrat
A study is that does not involve quantity (numbers). For example, simple observations to see if a particular species lives in a selected area.
Qualitative
A study involving quantity (numbers). For example, if you count the number of individuals of a species in a selected area.
Quantitative
Protein structure where a protein consists of more than one polypeptide chain e.g. Haemoglobin and insulin.
Quaternary structure
Protein or glycoprotein molecules on cell surfaces, used for attachment of specific substances such as hormones or viruses.
Receptor sites
A carbohydrate monomer or dimer that gives a positive result in Benedict’s test because it is able chemically to reduce copper sulfate in solution.
Reducing sugar
Chemical reaction involving the gain of electrons or the addition of hydrogen.
Reduction
The ability to distinguish two separate points as distinct from each other.
Resolution
The process in which energy is released from complex molecules, such as glucose, within cells and transferred to molecules of ATP.
Respiration
The 5-carbon (pentose) sugar found in RNA nucleotides.
Ribose
The nucleic acid found in ribosomes.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
The organelle on which proteins are synthesised inside the cell.
Ribosome
A factor that increases the chance that you may develop a particular disease.
Risk factor
A single-stranded polynucleotide molecule that exists in three forms. Each form plays a part in the synthesis of proteins within cells.
RNA
Cells in the epithelium of roots that have long extensions to increase surface area for the absorption of water and minerals.
Root hair cells
Defences that attempt to kill or inactivate pathogens that have already invaded the body.
Secondary defences
The local coiling or folding parts of a protein molecule due to the formation of hydrogen bonds formed as the protein is synthesised. E.g. a-helix and b-pleated sheets.
Secondary structure
The release of a substance made inside the cell using the process of exocytosis.
Secretion
An external pressure that drives evolution in a particular direction.
Selection pressure
The replication of a DNA strand where the replicated double helix consists of one old strand and one newly synthesised strand.
Semi-conservative replication
Valves between the ventricles and the main arteries leading out of the heart, which prevent backflow of blood.
Semilunar valves
The wall separating the ventricles of the heart.
Septum
Production of a new individual formed by the fusing of gametes from two different parents so that the offspring have a unique combination of alleles from both parents.
Sexual reproduction
A cell in phloem tissue through which sap is transported. It has very little cytoplasm, no nucleus, and non-thickened cellulose cell walls, with the end walls perforated.
Sieve tube element
The movement of molecules from a region of their higher to lower concentration.
Simple diffusion
A circulation in which blood flows through the heart once during each circulation of the body.
Single circulatory system
A part of a plant that removes sugars from the phloem.
Sink
The patch of tissue that initiates the heartbeat by sending waves of excitation over the atria.
Sinoatrial node (SAN)
A type of muscle (involuntary muscle) found mostly in certain internal organs and involved in involuntary movements such as peristalsis.
Smooth muscle
A solid that dissolves in a liquid.
Solute
The component of water potential that is due to the presence of solutes – the potential energy of a solution provided by the solutes.
Solute potential (Ys)
Liquid with dissolved solids.
Solution
A liquid that dissolves solids.
Solvent
A part of the plant that releases sugars into the phloem.
Source
The formation of a new species.
Speciation
A group of organisms whose members are similar to each other in shape, physiology, biochemistry and behaviour, and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
Species
A structure consisting of protein fibres found in eukaryotic cells during cell division. They guide the movement of chromosomes to opposite end of the cell at telophase.
Spindle
A polysaccharide found in plant cells. It is formed from the covalent bonding together of many glucose molecules.
Starch
Undifferentiated cells that are capable of becoming differentiated to a number of possible cell types.
Stem cells
Pore in leaf epidermis, surrounded by two guard cells. Changes in turgidity of the guard cells can open or close the stoma. Allow gaseous exchange and transpiration in plants.
Stoma (pl: stomata)
The gel-like matrix found in chloroplasts. The membranes of the thylakoids/grana are embedded in it.
Stroma
The substance that is used up in an enzyme-controlled reaction, leading to the formation of product. It fits into the active site of the enzyme at the start of the reaction.
Substrate
The ‘skin’ on the surface of water formed as a result of hydrogen bonding in water molecules pulling the surface molecules downwards.
Surface tension
A chemical that can reduce the surface tension of a film of water.
Surfactant
Development that does not cause excessive harm to the surrounding environment. The local biodiversity and people can continue to live and operate alongside the development.
Sustainable development
Speciation that occurs within one area – some factor other than geographical separation has prevented free interbreeding between members of the species.
Sympatric
The route taken by water through the cytoplasm of cells in a plant.
Symplast pathway
The circulation that carries blood around the body, excluding the circulation to the lungs.
Systemic circulation
The stage of the heart cycle in which heart muscle contracts to pump blood.
Systole
A taxonomic group, such as a class or a family, used to aid classification.
Taxon (pl: taxa)
The study of the principles behind classification.
Taxonomy
Final phase of mitosis. Two new nuclear envelopes form around the two new nuclei.
Telophase
String-like tendons used to attach the atrioventricular valves of the heart to the sides of the ventricle wall. Sometimes called heart strings.
Tendinous cords
The overall three-dimensional shape of a protein molecule. Involves hydrogen bonding, disulfide bridges, ionic bonds and hydrophobic interactions.
Tertiary structure
Steroid hormone made in the testes.
Testosterone
A blood clot.
Thrombus
Flattened membrane sacs in chloroplasts, which hold the pigments used in photosynthesis and are the site of the light reactions. A stack of thylakoids forms a granum.
Thylakoid
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in DNA. It pairs with adenine.
Thymine
A group of similar cells that perform a particular function.
Tissue
The fluid, derived from blood plasma, that surrounds the cells in a tissue.
Tissue fluid
Undifferentiated cell that is capable of differentiating into any kind of specialised cell.
Totipotent
The windpipe leading from the back of the mouth to the bronchi.
Trachea
The assembly of an mRNA molecule that is a copy of the DNA coding strand (and complementary to the template strand).
Transcription
A line through a habitat used to help take samples and study the habitat.
Transect
A type of polynucleotide involved in protein synthesis. It transports amino acids to the ribosomes to be added to the growing polypeptide chain.
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
Organism that has genetic material from another organism, usually by genetic engineering.
Transgenic
The movement of sucrose and other substances up and down a plant.
Translocation
The way in which a microorganism or other pathogen travels from one host to another.
Transmission
The loss of water vapour from the aerial parts of a plant due to evaporation.
Transpiration
A molecule consisting of a glycerol molecule and three fatty acid molecules covalently bonded together.
Triglyceride
Describes a cell that is full of water as a result of entry of water due to osmosis such that pressure of the cell wall prevents more water entering.
Turgid
The detailed structure of the internal components of cells as revealed by the electron microscope rather than by the light microscope.
Ultrastructure
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in RNA. Pairs with adenine.
Uracil
Chemical made in the liver from amine groups from deaminated amino acids and carbon dioxide. It is toxic and is removed from the body in urine.
Urea
A preparation of antigens given to provide artificial immunity.
Vaccine
The pathway taken by water in plants as it passes from cell to cell via the cell cytoplasm and vacuole.
Vacuolar pathway
Condition in an experimental investigation. Can be independent (altered by the experimenter) or dependent (respond to changes in the independent variable).
Variable
The differences between individuals.
Variation
The transport tissue in a plant – usually found as a bundle containing both xylem and phloem.
Vascular tissue / bundle
An organism that carries a disease-causing organism (pathogen) from one host to another. Also describes an agent (such as a plasmid) that can transfer genetic material.
Vector
Either of two large veins that carry deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart.
Vena cava
Breathing – movement of diaphragm and rib cage that bring air into and out of the lungs.
Ventilation
The lower chambers in the heart.
Ventricles
A membrane-bound sac found in cells and used to transport materials around the cell.
Vesicle
Folds in the wall of an organ or tissue that increase surface area.
Villi
Chemical needed in small amounts for healthy metabolism. Some organisms can make them, some organisms have to obtain them in the diet.
Vitamin
A measure of the ability of water molecules to move freely in solution. Decreased by the presence of solutes.
Water potential (Y)
The potential energy of water vapour in a gas – it is used to indicate how much water vapour is present.
Water vapour potential
A plant specially adapted to living in dry areas.
Xerophyte
A plant tissue containing vessels (and other cells) that are used to transport water in a plant and provide support.
Xylem
Diploid cell made from fusion of male and female gametes.
Zygote
The frequency of occurrence of plants in a sampled area, such as a quadrat.
Abundance
The level of energy required to enable a reaction to take place. Enzymes reduce the amount of energy required to allow a reaction to proceed.
Activation energy
Immunity that is acquired by activation of immune system.
Active immunity
The area on an enzyme molecule to which the substrate binds.
Active site
Force of attraction between molecules of two different substances.
Adhesion
A protein secondary structure – a right-handed spiral held in place by hydrogen bonds between adjacent C=O and NH groups.
a-helix
Speciation due to organisms of a species being separated by geographical barriers so that eventually they become so different that they cannot interbreed.
Allopatric
An organic compound that contains both an amino group(–NH2) and a carboxyl group (–COOH). The monomers of protein molecules.
Amino acid
An enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of starch to maltose.
Amylase
Movement of substances across membranes against their concentration gradient, requiring the use of energy in the form of ATP.
Active transport
A version of a gene.
Allele
A macrophage that has ingested a pathogen and displays some of the pathogen’s molecules on its cell surface membrane.
Antigen-presenting cell
The route taken by water between the cells or through the cell walls in a plant.
Apoplast pathway
Part of a starch molecule, consisting of many thousands of glucose residues bonded together.
Amylose
Term usually applied to the process of incorporating simple molecules of food produced by digestion into the living cells of an animal for use in metabolism.
Assimilation
The use of comparative studies or samples to determine the concentration or quantity of a substance in a sample.
Assay
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in nucleic acids. It pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA.
Adenine
An organism that makes its own food from simple inorganic molecules, such as carbon dioxide and water.
Autotroph
Protein molecules released by the immune system in response to an antigen, which are capable of neutralising the effects of the antigen.
Antibodies
The production of genetically identical new organisms by a single ‘parent’ organism.
Asexual reproduction
Rules governing the complementary bases in nucleic acids. Adenine pairs with thymine (or uracil). Guanine pairs with cytosine.
Base-pairing rules
Describes tissue consisting of cells that store fat/lipid.
Adipose
One of the upper chambers in the heart.
Atrium
A molecule used to store energy temporarily in organisms. The molecule is broken down to adenosine diphosphate + phosphate to release energy to drive metabolic processes.
ATP
Hardening of the artery walls and loss of elasticity caused by atherosclerosis or by deposition of calcium.
Arteriosclerosis
A biochemical test for the presence of proteins.
Biuret test
Airways in the lungs that lead from the trachea to the bronchioles.
Bronchi
Immunity acquired as a result of deliberate exposure to antigens or by the injection of antibodies.
Artificial immunity
The process of deposition of fatty substances in the lining of arteries to form atheroma, which may eventually lead to arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Atherosclerosis / atheroma
The muscle found in the heart. It has its own intrinsic heartbeat (it is myogenic).
Cardiac muscle
A protein found in membranes, which is capable of carrying a specific molecule or ion through the membrane by active transport.
Carrier protein
To use known concentrations of a substance in a solution to make a standard curve on a graph. This can be used to determine the amount of that substance in solutions of unknown concentration.
Calibration
The region of a chromosome where two sister chromatids are joined together, and where the spindle fibre attaches during cell division.
Centromere
A carbohydrate polymer (of b-glucose) that forms plant cell walls.
Cellulose
A patch of tissue in the septum of the heart that conducts the electrical stimulus from the atria in the heart through to the Purkyne fibres.
Atrioventricular node (AVN)
A flexible ring of cartilage that holds the airways open.
Cartilage ring
Material staining dark red in the nucleus during interphase. It consists of nucleic acids and proteins. Condenses into chromosomes during prophase of nucler division.
Chromatin
Test for reducing sugars. Sample is heated to 80ºC with reagent. If a reducing sugar is present, the reagent changes from blue to red precipitate.
Benedict’s test
The sequence of events making up one heartbeat.
Cardiac cycle
Describes a result/data point that does not appear to fit the pattern of the other results.
Anomalous
Genetically identical cells or individuals.
Clones
The movement of chloride ions into red blood cells to balance the loss of hydrogencarbonate ions.
Chloride shift
Feature of a living organism that increases its chances of survival, for example thick fur on an animal that lives in a cold habitat.
Adaptation
An organelle from which the spindle fibres develop during cell division in animal cells.
Centriole
A foreign molecule (which may be protein or glycoprotein) that can provoke an immune response.
Antigen
Also called selective breeding – the process of improving a variety of crop plant or domesticated animal by breeding from individuals with desired characteristics.
Artificial selection
The attraction between water molecules due to hydrogen bonding.
Cohesion
Plant tissue in the stem and root that contains dividing cells.
Cambium
In mitosis, the stage when the newly separated chromatids are pulled towards opposite poles of the nuclear spindle.
Anaphase
An animal that eats meat.
Carnivore
Also known as the Plasma membrane.
Cell surface membrane
A flexible, slightly elastic connective tissue.
Cartilage
Hormone-like proteins produced by vertebrates, which are used for communication between cells, allowing some cells to regulate the activities of others.
Cytokines
The network of protein fibres and microtubules found within the cell that gives structure to the cell and is responsible for the movement of many materials within it.
Cytoskeleton
A lipid molecule (not a triglyceride) found in all cell membranes and involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones.
Cholesterol
A strip of waterproof material (suberin) in the cell walls of root endodermis cells. It blocks the apoplast pathway.
Casparian strip
Airways in the lungs that lead from the bronchi to the alveoli.
Bronchioles
A chemical system that resists changes in pH by maintaining a constant level of hydrogen ions in solution. Certain chemicals dissolved in the solution are responsible for this.
Buffer
To make narrow. For example, in the narrowing of blood vessels.
Constrict
The division of selected cells by mitosis to increase their numbers.
Clonal expansion
The selection of cells (of the immune system) with a specific receptor site. These cells will undergo expansion as part of the immune response.
Clonal selection
The division of the cell, following nuclear division, to form two new cells.
Cytokinesis
A linear DNA molecule wrapped around histone proteins found in the nucleus. Become visible in prophase of cell division.
Chromosome
State of animal cells when they have been immersed in a solution of lower water potential and have lost water by osmosis and become shrivelled.
Crenation
A substance that increases the rate of a reaction but does not take part in the reaction, and so is re-usable.
Catalyst
A substance that causes cancer.
Carcinogen
The folds found in the inner membrane of a mitochondrion. Stalked particles containing ATP synthase are found here.
Cristae
A system of naming living things using two Latin words – the genus name and the specific name.
Binomial system
Variation where there is a range of intermediates, such as height, hair colour and intelligence in humans. Affected by multiple genes and environment
Continuous variation
Trace (graph) showing the electrical activity of the heart muscle (atria and ventricles) during a cycle.
Electrocardiogram
Lining cells that have cilia on their cell surface.
Ciliated epithelium
Classification level introduced by Carl Woese dividing the kingdom Prokaryotae into two and placing all Eukaryotes into a third.
Domain
A type of tissue that consists of separate cells held together by a ground substance (matrix).
Connective tissue
A molecule or ion that helps an enzyme to work. It may be an inorganic ion or an enzyme.
Cofactor
A protein molecule that acts as a biological catalyst.
Enzyme
Variation between living organisms within a species, where there are discrete categories and no intermediates, e.g. blood groups A, B, AB or O in humans.
Discontinuous variation
A departure from full health.
Disease
A chemical bond formed by the sharing of one or more electrons between two atoms.
Covalent bond
The effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen.
Bohr shift / Bohr effect
A molecule consisting of two monosaccharide sugars joined by a glycosidic bond.
Disaccharide
Describes a disease that is always present in an area. May also mean a species that is found only in a particular area and nowhere else.
Endemic
A measure of how far apart two organisms are on the evolutionary scale.
Evolutionary distance
An attractive force between substances or particles.
Affinity
Molecules produced by microorganisms that kill or limit the growth of other microorganisms
Antibiotics
Valves between the atria and ventricles that prevent backflow of blood.
Atrioventricular valves
Method of cell division in bacteria. The DNA replicates and the cell divides into two, each having the same DNA as the parent cell.
Binary fission
The number and variety of living things to be found in the world, in an ecosystem or in a habitat.
Biodiversity
A class of biological molecules with the general formula Cx(H2O)y. It includes sugars, starches, glycogen and cellulose.
Carbohydrate
Small air sacs in the lungs.
Alveoli
Pigments found in chloroplasts of plant (and some protoctist) cells. Each molecule consists of a hydrocarbon tail and a porphyrin ring head with a magnesium atom.
Chlorophyll
A replicated chromosome appears as two strands in early stages of cell division. Each strand is called a…..
Chromatid
Short extensions of eukaryotic cells, typically 2–10 µm long and 0.03 µm in diameter. Used for locomotion or to move fluids or mucus over a surface.
Cilia
Numerical value found by dividing an individual’s mass in kg by the (height in m)2 and used to assess if the individual is underweight, acceptable weight, overweight or obese.
Body mass index
The movement of cells or organisms towards or away from a particular chemical.
Chemotaxis
Refers to structures that fit together because their shapes and/or charges match up. For example, adenine and cytosine in DNA.
Complementary
The difference in concentration of a substance between two regions.
Concentration gradient
Taxonomic group used in classification of living organisms. Below phyla but containing orders (consisting of families, genera and species).
Class
Tissue in plant roots and stems between epidermis and vascular tissue.
Cortex
Vessels that carry blood to the heart muscle.
Coronary arteries
The molecule resulting from combination of carbon dioxide and haemoglobin.
Carbaminohaemoglobin
The 5-carbon sugar in DNA nucleotides.
Deoxyribose
A cell in the phloem involved in actively loading sucrose into the sieve tube elements, to which it is linked by many plasmodesmata.
Companion cell
Part of an experimental investigation – set up to show that the variable being investigated is responsible for the change observed.
Control
A sheet of muscular and fibrous tissue separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.
Diaphragm
Processes that lead to communication and coordination between cells. Hormones binding to their receptors on the cell surface membrane are an example.
Cell signalling
Blood with haemoglobin that carries no or little oxygen.
Deoxygenated
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in nucleic acids. It pairs with guanine in DNA.
Cytosine
A type of chemical reaction in which two molecules are joined together by means of a covalent bond to form a larger molecule, and at the same time a water molecule is released.
Condensation
To make wider. For example, when the lumens of blood vessels become wider.
Dilate
The separation of a molecule into two molecules, atoms or ions without breakage of a covalent bond. For example, the release of oxygen from oxyhaemoglobin.
Dissociation
Conservation in areas other than the natural habitat.
Conservation ex situ
A protein in a cell membrane that allows movement of one molecule when linked to the movement of another molecule in the same direction by active transport.
Cotransporter
A suspension of one material in another as droplets, because it does not dissolve. For example, fat droplets dispersed in water.
Emulsion
A ring of cells between the cortex of a root and the area housing the xylem and phloem.
Endodermis
A polymer of nucleotide molecules that form the instructions for the synthesis of proteins found within organisms. These nucleotides contain the 5-carbon sugar deoxyribose.
DNA
The study of patterns of disease and the factors that influence their spread.
Epidemiology
The intermediate structure formed when a substrate molecule binds to an enzyme molecule.
Enzyme–substrate complex
Removal of amine (NH2) group from an amino acid
Deamination
A tissue that lines the inside of a structure, such as a blood vessel.
Endothelium
Process by which the present diversity of living organisms arose from simple primitive organisms, with new species arising by natural selection.
Evolution
The period when the heart muscle in the ventricles is relaxing and blood pressure is at its lowest.
Diastole
Tissue containing the protein elastin, which is able to stretch and recoil.
Elastic tissue
An organic non-protein molecule that binds temporarily with substrate to an enzyme active site. It is essential for enzyme activity.
Coenzyme
To determine the value of intervals of a scale on an instrument, such as a thermometer.
Calibration
An organelle found in plants, which contains chlorophyll and is responsible for photosynthetic activity in the plant.
Chloroplast
The organisation of living organisms (or other items) into groups according to their shared similarities.
Classification
A structural fibrous protein found in connective tissue, bones, skin and cartilage. It accounts for 30% of body protein.
Collagen
A substance that reduces the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction by binding to the enzyme’s active site.
Competitive inhibitor
The net movement of molecules or ions in a gas or liquid from an area of high concentration to an area where they are less concentrated.
Diffusion
A protein pore that spans a membrane, through which very small ions and water soluble molecules may pass.
Channel protein
The curve on a graph showing the proportion of haemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen at different oxygen tensions.
Dissociation curve
Any system where different parts perform specialised functions, each contributing to the functioning of the whole.
Division of labour
A transport system in which blood travels twice through the heart for each complete circulation of the body.
Double circulatory system
Conservation in the natural habitat.
Conservation in situ
Cells or organisms that have two copies of each chromosome in their nuclei.
Diploid
The regulation of metabolic pathways where the last product in a sequence of enzyme-controlled reactions becomes an inhibitor of one of the enzymes earlier in the sequence.
End-product inhibition
An assessment of the damage that may be caused to the (local) environment by a proposed development.
Environmental impact assessment
Describes the structure of DNA, a twisted helix of two strands with bases joining the strands.
Double helix
The bond formed when fatty acid molecules are joined to glycerol molecules in condensation reactions.
Ester bond
Red blood cells.
Erythrocytes
The development and changes seen in cells as they mature to form specialised cells.
Differentiation
The death of the last individual in a species.
Extinction
A series of membrane-bound, flattened sacs extending from the outer nuclear membrane through the cytoplasm. Comes in rough and smooth forms.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
A tissue that covers the outside of a structure.
Epithelium
Outside the cell - for example describes enzymes that work outside the cell.
Extracellular
The difference in molecular concentration that allows diffusion to occur.
Diffusion gradient
The process of removing materials from the cell by fusing vesicles containing the material with the plasma membrane .
Exocytosis
An organism having cells with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Eukaryote
The intermediate structure in which product molecules are bound to an enzyme molecule.
Enzyme–product complex
A substance added to soil to enhance the growth of plants.
Fertiliser
A term used to describe plant tissue where the cells have lost turgor and are not firm.
Flaccid
Describes a disease that spreads to many people quickly and affects a large proportion of the population.
Epidemic
A biochemical test for the presence of lipids.
Ethanol emulsion test
Taxonomical group used in the classification of living organisms. Contains similar species.
Genus
A 6-carbon monosaccharide sugar. Very important source of energy within cells. Substrate for glycolysis.
Glucose
The movement of gases by diffusion across a barrier such as the atreous wall.
Gaseous exchange
In pairs, these form the stomatal pore in the epidermis plants. They control the opening and closing of the pore by changes in their turgidity.
Guard cells
Membrane-bound organelle in eukaryote cells. Involved in the modification and transport of proteins.
Golgi body
Cells that have a nucleus inside a nuclear envelope, and other membrane-bound organelles.
Eukaryotic cell
A polysaccharide found in animal cells. Formed from the bonding together of many glucose molecules, used as a store of glucose.
Glycogen
An animal that eats plant material.
Herbivore
The passive movement of molecules across membranes down their concentration gradient. Aided by transport proteins but no metabolic energy is required.
Facilitated diffusion
All the genetic material inside an organism (or cell).
Genome
Long fibres of the protein elastin that have the ability to stretch and recoil.
Elastic fibres
Associating with water molecules easily (water-loving).
Hydrophilic
The protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells.
Haemoglobin
An irreversible change in the tertiary structure of a protein molecule. It leads to loss of function in most proteins.
Denaturation
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in nucleic acids. It pairs with cytosine.
Guanine
An animal that produces heat within its cells, from respiration, to maintain a constant body temperature.
Endotherm
Outer layer(s) of cells of a multicellular organism.
Epidermis
The strands that make up the body of a fungus.
Hyphae
Protein channels found in cell membranes, which can be opened or closed in response to cell signals.
Gated channels
All the living organisms and all the non-living components in a specific area, and their interactions.
Ecosystem
Proteins with relatively spherical molecules, soluble in water, often having metabolic roles in organisms.
Globular proteins
Mucus-secreting cells in epithelial tissue.
Goblet cells
A 3-carbon (alcohol) molecule. It forms the basis of lipids when fatty acids are bonded to it.
Glycerol
The ionised form of the product of anaerobic respiration in mammals and some bacteria.
Lactate
A waterproofing substance that impregnates the walls of xylem tissue. Lignin gives wood its strength.
Lignin
A cell or organism that has one set of chromosomes/one copy of each chromosome.
Haploid
A lipid with carbohydrate molecules attached.
Glycolipid
The model of cell membrane structure proposed by Singer and Nicholson – a phospholipid bilayer with proteins ‘floating’ in it.
Fluid mosaic (model)
Simple procedures that show the presence of various biological molecules in samples or structures.
Food tests
Cell-signalling chemicals. Some are involved in activating cells of the immune system. A type of cytokine.
Interleukin
A weak bond formed between partially charged atoms. It is seen in water molecules, and is important in the secondary and tertiary structure of proteins.
Hydrogen bond
A reaction in which a molecule is broken down into two smaller molecules by the addition of a water molecule and the breaking of a covalent bond.
Hydrolysis
A blind-ending branch of the lymph system found in each villus of the small intestine.
Lacteal
Organism that gains nutrients from complex organic molecules. These molecules are digested by enzymes to simple soluble molecules.
Heterotroph
Energy of movement.
Kinetic energy
A protein with carbohydrate molecules attached.
Glycoprotein
The loss of genetic variation due to (artificial) selection.
Genetic erosion
Taxonomic group. Living organisms are grouped into one of five: Prokaryotae, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia.
Kingdom
Mixture of lipids, mainly triglycerides with saturated fatty acids, that is solid at body temperature. Act as an energy store, insulation, waterproofing and may give buoyancy.
Fat
The phase of the cell cycle where synthesis of new DNA and organelles takes place.
Interphase
Chemical produced by monocytes to signal to other cells. Also called lymphokines.
Monokines
Chromosomes in diploid organisms that have the same genes at the same loci and that pair up during meiosis. Can also refer to structures that have a common evolutionary origin.
Homologous
Components of the cell cytoskeleton. Involved in mitosis, cytokinesis and movement of vesicles within cells.
Microtubules
Rate of reaction at the beginning before a significant amount of product has been formed or reactant used up.
Initial reaction rate
Pressure created by a fluid pushing against the sides of a container.
Hydrostatic pressure
Describes muscle tissue (heart muscle) that generates its own contractions.
Myogenic
Nuclear division that results in the formation of cells containing half the number of chromosomes of the adult cell.
Meiosis
B and T cells that remain in the body after an immune response. Their presence enables a much faster and greater second immune response.
Memory cells
Cells that make keratin.
Keratinocytes
A protein with a relatively long, thin structure, which is insoluble in water and metabolically inactive, often having a structural role within the organism.
Fibrous protein
Used by animal and plant breeders to help select individuals with the desired genotype. The desired gene is linked to a section of DNA that is easy to identify in a young individual.
Marker-assisted selection
A group of organisms that share a common ancestor and therefore belong to the same classification group.
Monophyletic
Another word for totipotent.
Omnipotent
A polymer of nucleotide molecules.
Nucleic acid
Term used to describe a large range of species in an area or a population of organisms that have significant genetic variation.
Diversity
All the chemical reactions that take place in an organism.
Metabolism
The movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential to a region of lower water potential across a partially permeable membrane.
Osmosis
A system of lymph nodes and lacteals with lymph fluid.
Lymphatic system
A respiratory pigment (protein) with a higher affinity for oxygen than haemoglobin.
Myoglobin
The phase of mitosis where the chromosomes line up at the equator of the spindle.
Metaphase
Folds in the membrane of a cell that increase its surface area.
Microvilli
A disaccharide molecule consisting of two a-glucose molecules bonded together.
Maltose
A variable that limits the rate of a process. If it is increased, then the rate of the process will increase.
Limiting factor
A very large molecule.
Macromolecule
Muscles between the ribs, responsible for moving the rib cage during breathing.
Intercostal muscles
A state in which the chambers in the heart contract out of rhythm.
Fibrillation
The slowing of an enzyme-controlled reaction by a molecule that slows down or prevents the formation of enzyme–substrate complexes.
Inhibition/inhibitor
The membrane that surrounds every cell, forming the selectively permeable boundary between the cell and its environment.
Plasma membrane or cell surface membrane
A length of DNA that carries the code for the synthesis of one (or more) specific polypeptide(s).
Gene
The organelle found in cells in which most of the ATP synthesis occurs. It is the site of aerobic respiration.
Mitochondrion
Undifferentiated plant cells capable of rapid cell division.
Meristem cells
Immunity acquired through exposure to disease during the normal course of life.
Natural immunity
Water-repelling (water-hating).
Hydrophobic
Phagocytic white blood cells. They engulf and digest bacteria. They have a many-lobed nucleus, and a granular cytoplasm due to the large numbers of lysosomes present.
Neutrophils
An enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of lipid molecules.
Lipase
An organism that lives in or on another living organism (its host), deriving nutrition from the host, benefiting at the expense of its host.
Parasite
Taxonomic group used in classification of living organisms. Contains similar families.
Order
The second, longer part of the small intestine.
Ileum
A chemical made in the body that is involved in inflammatory reactions.
Prostaglandin
A layer of cells in the root that lies just inside the endodermis. It usually consists of meristematic cells whose division gives rise to lateral roots.
Pericycle
The condition that gives the fastest rate of reaction in enzyme-controlled reactions.
Optimum (temperature / pH)
Describes cytoplasm that is not divided into cells but contains many nuclei.
Multinucleate