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328 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
All the chemical reactions that take place in an organism.
Metabolism
A chemical bond formed by the sharing of one or more electrons between two atoms.
Covalent bond
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 polymer consisting of many amino acid monomers covalently bonded together.
Protein
An organic compound that contains both an amino group(–NH2) and a carboxyl group (–COOH). The monomers of protein molecules.
Amino acid
A substance that increases the rate of a reaction but does not take part in the reaction, and so is re-usable.
Catalyst
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
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
A protein molecule that acts as a biological catalyst.
Enzyme
A disaccharide molecule consisting of two a-glucose molecules bonded together.
Maltose
The process in which energy is released from complex molecules, such as glucose, within cells and transferred to molecules of ATP.
Respiration
A class of biological molecules with the general formula Cx(H2O)y. It includes sugars, starches, glycogen and cellulose.
Carbohydrate
A small molecule that is one of the units bonded together to form a polymer.
Monomer
The covalent bond formed when amino acids are joined together in condensation reactions.
Peptide bond
A large molecule made up of many/repeating similar, smaller molecules (monomers) covalently bonded together.
Polymer
The overall three-dimensional shape of a protein molecule. Involves hydrogen bonding, disulfide bridges, ionic bonds and hydrophobic interactions.
Tertiary structure
The area on an enzyme molecule to which the substrate binds.
Active site
A molecule used to store energy temporarily in organisms. The molecule is broken down to release energy to drive metabolic processes.
ATP
Refers to structures that fit together because their shapes and/or charges match up. For example, adenine and cytosine in DNA.
Complementary
A 6-carbon monosaccharide sugar. Very important source of energy within cells. Substrate for glycolysis.
Glucose
A diverse group of chemicals that includes triglycerides, fatty acids and cholesterol.
Lipid
Process by which plants, some bacteria and some protoctists make food using carbon dioxide, water and sunlight energy.
Photosynthesis
A polymer consisting of many amino acid monomers covalently bonded together.
Polypeptide
The sequence of amino acids found in a protein molecule.
Primary structure
An enzyme capable of digesting proteins.
Protease
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
A polysaccharide found in plant cells. It is formed from the covalent bonding together of many glucose molecules.
Starch
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
An irreversible change in the tertiary structure of a protein molecule. It leads to loss of function in most proteins.
Denaturation
The covalent bond formed when carbohydrate molecules are joined together in condensation reactions.
Glycosidic bond
Chemicals made in endocrine glands that are carried in the blood to target cells/tissues/organs. They act as chemical messengers.
Hormone
Associating with water molecules easily (water-loving).
Hydrophilic
Water-repelling (water-hating).
Hydrophobic
Attraction between oppositely charged ions.
Ionic bond
Energy of movement.
Kinetic energy
General term for a simple sugar molecule. The monomer of polysaccharides.
Monosaccharide
A polymer of nucleotide molecules.
Nucleic acid
A polymer consisting of many monosaccharide monomers covalently bonded together.
Polysaccharide
Chemical needed in small amounts for healthy metabolism. Some organisms can make them, some organisms have to obtain them in the diet.
Vitamin
The use of comparative studies or samples to determine the concentration or quantity of a substance in a sample.
Assay
A carbohydrate polymer (of b-glucose) that forms plant cell walls.
Cellulose
An organic non-protein molecule that binds temporarily with substrate to an enzyme active site. It is essential for enzyme activity.
Coenzyme
The 5-carbon sugar in DNA nucleotides.
Deoxyribose
A molecule consisting of two monosaccharide sugars joined by a glycosidic bond.
Disaccharide
The bond formed when fatty acid molecules are joined to glycerol molecules in condensation reactions.
Ester bond
A 3-carbon (alcohol) molecule. It forms the basis of lipids when fatty acids are bonded to it.
Glycerol
A polysaccharide found in animal cells. Formed from the bonding together of many glucose molecules, used as a store of glucose.
Glycogen
The protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells.
Haemoglobin
A chain of carbon atoms bonded together with hydrogen atoms bonded onto the carbons.
Hydrocarbon chain
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
A change in the structure of DNA involving a change in the sequence of babses. May affect the large-scale structure and number of chromosomes.
Mutation
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
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
A non-protein organic molecule that forms a permanent part of a functioning protein molecule.
Prosthetic group
Protein or glycoprotein molecules on cell surfaces, used for attachment of specific substances such as hormones or viruses.
Receptor site
The 5-carbon (pentose) sugar found in RNA nucleotides.
Ribose
The organelle on which proteins are synthesised inside the cell.
Ribosome
A single-stranded polynucleotide molecule that exists in three forms. Each form plays a part in the synthesis of proteins within cells.
RNA
Liquid with dissolved solids.
Solution
A liquid that dissolves solids.
Solvent
A group of similar cells that perform a particular function.
Tissue
A measure of the ability of water molecules to move freely in solution. Decreased by the presence of solutes.
Water potential
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
Movement of substances across membranes against their concentration gradient, requiring the use of energy in the form of ATP.
Active transport
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in nucleic acids. It pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA.
Adenine
Describes tissue consisting of cells that store fat/lipid.
Adipose
A version of a gene.
Allele
An enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of starch to maltose.
Amylase
Part of a starch molecule, consisting of many thousands of glucose residues bonded together.
Amylose
Describes a result/data point that does not appear to fit the pattern of the other results.
Anomalous
Rules governing the complementary bases in nucleic acids. Adenine pairs with thymine (or uracil). Guanine pairs with cytosine.
Base-pairing rules
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
A biochemical test for the presence of proteins.
Biuret test
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 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
To determine the value of intervals of a scale on an instrument, such as a thermometer.
Calibration
A flexible, slightly elastic connective tissue.
Cartilage
Processes that lead to communication and coordination between cells. Hormones binding to their receptors on the cell surface membrane are an example.
Cell signalling
A lipid molecule (not a triglyceride) found in all cell membranes and involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones.
Cholesterol
A replicated chromosome appears as two strands in early stages of cell division. Each strand is called a…..
Chromatid
A linear DNA molecule wrapped around histone proteins found in the nucleus. Become visible in prophase of cell division.
Chromosome
A molecule or ion that helps an enzyme to work. It may be an inorganic ion or an enzyme.
Cofactor
The attraction between water molecules due to hydrogen bonding.
Cohesion
A structural fibrous protein found in connective tissue, bones, skin and cartilage. It accounts for 30% of body protein.
Collagen
A type of tissue that consists of separate cells held together by a ground substance (matrix).
Connective tissue
Part of an experimental investigation – set up to show that the variable being investigated is responsible for the change observed.
Control
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in nucleic acids. It pairs with guanine in DNA.
Cytosine
Removal of amine (NH2) group from an amino acid
Deamination
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 molecule consisting of two amino acids joined by a peptide bond.
Dipeptide
Describes the structure of DNA, a twisted helix of two strands with bases joining the strands.
Double helix
A suspension of one material in another as droplets, because it does not dissolve. For example, fat droplets dispersed in water.
Emulsion
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
An animal that produces heat within its cells, from respiration, to maintain a constant body temperature.
Endotherm
The intermediate structure in which product molecules are bound to an enzyme molecule.
Enzyme–product complex
The intermediate structure formed when a substrate molecule binds to an enzyme molecule.
Enzyme–substrate complex
A biochemical test for the presence of lipids.
Ethanol emulsion test
Outside the cell - for example describes enzymes that work outside the cell.
Extracellular
The passive movement of molecules across membranes down their concentration gradient. Aided by transport proteins but no metabolic energy is required.
Facilitated diffusion
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
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
A length of DNA that carries the code for the synthesis of one (or more) specific polypeptide(s).
Gene
A lipid with carbohydrate molecules attached.
Glycolipid
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in nucleic acids. It pairs with cytosine.
Guanine
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 cell
The iron-containing prosthetic group found in haemoglobin.
Haem
Organism that gains nutrients from complex organic molecules. These molecules are digested by enzymes to simple soluble molecules.
Heterotroph
Rate of reaction at the beginning before a significant amount of product has been formed or reactant used up.
Initial reaction rate
The phase of the cell cycle where synthesis of new DNA and organelles takes place.
Interphase
Inside the cell.
Intracellular
Fibrous protein found in skin, hair and nails.
Keratin
A variable that limits the rate of a process. If it is increased, then the rate of the process will increase.
Limiting factor
Membrane-bound vesicles made by pinching off from the Golgi body. They usually contain digestive enzymes.
Lysosome
The organelle found in cells in which most of the ATP synthesis occurs. It is the site of aerobic respiration.
Mitochondrion
The double membrane structure surrounding the nucleus in eukaryotic cells.
Nuclear envelope
Steroid hormone made in ovaries.
Oestrogen
Nitrogenous coompound in nucleic acid: adenine, thymine, uracil, cytosine, guanine are examples.
Organic base
Haemoglobin with oxygen molecules attached.
Oxyhaemoglobin
Gives measure of acidity/alkalinity of a solution. It is the reciprocal of the logarithmic value of the hydrogen ion concentration.
pH
A polymer consisting of many nucleotide monomers covalently bonded together (DNA and RNA are examples).
Polynucleotide
A suspension of small solid particles in a liquid, produced by a chemical reaction.
Precipitate
Adenine and guanine – nitrogenous bases consisting of a double ring structure.
Purine
Thymine, cytosine and uracil – nitrogenous bases consisting of a single ring structure.
Pyrimidine
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
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
A factor that increases the chance that you may develop a particular disease.
Risk factor
The replication of a DNA strand where the replicated double helix consists of one old strand and one newly synthesised strand.
Semi-conservative replication
A solid that dissolves in a liquid.
Solute
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
The ‘skin’ on the surface of water formed as a result of hydrogen bonding in water molecules pulling the surface molecules downwards.
Surface tension
Steroid hormone made in the testes.
Testosterone
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in DNA. It pairs with adenine.
Thymine
The assembly of an mRNA molecule that is a copy of the DNA coding strand (and complementary to the template strand).
Transcription
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
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
Condition in an experimental investigation. Can be independent (altered by the experimenter) or dependent (respond to changes in the independent variable).
Variable
A membrane-bound sac found in cells and used to transport materials around the cell.
Vesicle
A plant tissue containing vessels (and other cells) that are used to transport water in a plant and provide support.
Xylem
A protein secondary structure – a right-handed spiral held in place by hydrogen bonds between adjacent C=O and NH groups.
a-helix
A substance that reduces the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction by binding to the enzyme’s active site.
Competitive inhibitor
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
Simple procedures that show the presence of various biological molecules in samples or structures.
Food tests
Proteins with relatively spherical molecules, soluble in water, often having metabolic roles in organisms.
Globular proteins
A protein with carbohydrate molecules attached.
Glycoprotein
An atom (or group of atoms) carrying a positive or a negative charge.
Ion
The simple theory of enzyme action where the active site is directly complementary to the substrate molecule.
Lock-and-key hypothesis
A very large molecule, usually a biological polymer.
Macromolecule
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 condition that gives the fastest rate of reaction in enzyme-controlled reactions.
Optimum (temperature / pH)
A molecule consisting of a small number of amino acids bonded together by (covalent) peptide bonds.
Peptide
The nucleic acid found in ribosomes.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
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)
A slight change in the three dimensional structure of a protein that may result in a change in activity. Often involved in regulation of enzyme activity.
Conformational change
Disaccharide comprising a molecule of glucose and of fructose joined by a glycosidic bond. A widespread non-reducing sugar used for carbohydrate transport in plants.
Sucrose
A measure of the attractive force between substances or particles.
Affinity
All the chemical reactions that take place in an organism.
Metabolism
A chemical bond formed by the sharing of one or more electrons between two atoms.
Covalent bond
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 polymer consisting of many amino acid monomers covalently bonded together.
Protein
An organic compound that contains both an amino group(–NH2) and a carboxyl group (–COOH). The monomers of protein molecules.
Amino acid
A substance that increases the rate of a reaction but does not take part in the reaction, and so is re-usable.
Catalyst
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
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
A protein molecule that acts as a biological catalyst.
Enzyme
A disaccharide molecule consisting of two a-glucose molecules bonded together.
Maltose
The process in which energy is released from complex molecules, such as glucose, within cells and transferred to molecules of ATP.
Respiration
A class of biological molecules with the general formula Cx(H2O)y. It includes sugars, starches, glycogen and cellulose.
Carbohydrate
A small molecule that is one of the units bonded together to form a polymer.
Monomer
The covalent bond formed when amino acids are joined together in condensation reactions.
Peptide bond
A large molecule made up of many/repeating similar, smaller molecules (monomers) covalently bonded together.
Polymer
The overall three-dimensional shape of a protein molecule. Involves hydrogen bonding, disulfide bridges, ionic bonds and hydrophobic interactions.
Tertiary structure
The area on an enzyme molecule to which the substrate binds.
Active site
A molecule used to store energy temporarily in organisms. The molecule is broken down to release energy to drive metabolic processes.
ATP
Refers to structures that fit together because their shapes and/or charges match up. For example, adenine and cytosine in DNA.
Complementary
A 6-carbon monosaccharide sugar. Very important source of energy within cells. Substrate for glycolysis.
Glucose
A diverse group of chemicals that includes triglycerides, fatty acids and cholesterol.
Lipid
Process by which plants, some bacteria and some protoctists make food using carbon dioxide, water and sunlight energy.
Photosynthesis
A polymer consisting of many amino acid monomers covalently bonded together.
Polypeptide
The sequence of amino acids found in a protein molecule.
Primary structure
An enzyme capable of digesting proteins.
Protease
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
A polysaccharide found in plant cells. It is formed from the covalent bonding together of many glucose molecules.
Starch
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
An irreversible change in the tertiary structure of a protein molecule. It leads to loss of function in most proteins.
Denaturation
The covalent bond formed when carbohydrate molecules are joined together in condensation reactions.
Glycosidic bond
Chemicals made in endocrine glands that are carried in the blood to target cells/tissues/organs. They act as chemical messengers.
Hormone
Associating with water molecules easily (water-loving).
Hydrophilic
Water-repelling (water-hating).
Hydrophobic
Attraction between oppositely charged ions.
Ionic bond
Energy of movement.
Kinetic energy
General term for a simple sugar molecule. The monomer of polysaccharides.
Monosaccharide
A polymer of nucleotide molecules.
Nucleic acid
A polymer consisting of many monosaccharide monomers covalently bonded together.
Polysaccharide
Chemical needed in small amounts for healthy metabolism. Some organisms can make them, some organisms have to obtain them in the diet.
Vitamin
The use of comparative studies or samples to determine the concentration or quantity of a substance in a sample.
Assay
A carbohydrate polymer (of b-glucose) that forms plant cell walls.
Cellulose
An organic non-protein molecule that binds temporarily with substrate to an enzyme active site. It is essential for enzyme activity.
Coenzyme
The 5-carbon sugar in DNA nucleotides.
Deoxyribose
A molecule consisting of two monosaccharide sugars joined by a glycosidic bond.
Disaccharide
The bond formed when fatty acid molecules are joined to glycerol molecules in condensation reactions.
Ester bond
A 3-carbon (alcohol) molecule. It forms the basis of lipids when fatty acids are bonded to it.
Glycerol
A polysaccharide found in animal cells. Formed from the bonding together of many glucose molecules, used as a store of glucose.
Glycogen
The protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells.
Haemoglobin
A chain of carbon atoms bonded together with hydrogen atoms bonded onto the carbons.
Hydrocarbon chain
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
A change in the structure of DNA involving a change in the sequence of babses. May affect the large-scale structure and number of chromosomes.
Mutation
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
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
A non-protein organic molecule that forms a permanent part of a functioning protein molecule.
Prosthetic group
Protein or glycoprotein molecules on cell surfaces, used for attachment of specific substances such as hormones or viruses.
Receptor site
The 5-carbon (pentose) sugar found in RNA nucleotides.
Ribose
The organelle on which proteins are synthesised inside the cell.
Ribosome
A single-stranded polynucleotide molecule that exists in three forms. Each form plays a part in the synthesis of proteins within cells.
RNA
Liquid with dissolved solids.
Solution
A liquid that dissolves solids.
Solvent
A group of similar cells that perform a particular function.
Tissue
A measure of the ability of water molecules to move freely in solution. Decreased by the presence of solutes.
Water potential
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
Movement of substances across membranes against their concentration gradient, requiring the use of energy in the form of ATP.
Active transport
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in nucleic acids. It pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA.
Adenine
Describes tissue consisting of cells that store fat/lipid.
Adipose
A version of a gene.
Allele
An enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of starch to maltose.
Amylase
Part of a starch molecule, consisting of many thousands of glucose residues bonded together.
Amylose
Describes a result/data point that does not appear to fit the pattern of the other results.
Anomalous
Rules governing the complementary bases in nucleic acids. Adenine pairs with thymine (or uracil). Guanine pairs with cytosine.
Base-pairing rules
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
A biochemical test for the presence of proteins.
Biuret test
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 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
To determine the value of intervals of a scale on an instrument, such as a thermometer.
Calibration
A flexible, slightly elastic connective tissue.
Cartilage
Processes that lead to communication and coordination between cells. Hormones binding to their receptors on the cell surface membrane are an example.
Cell signalling
A lipid molecule (not a triglyceride) found in all cell membranes and involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones.
Cholesterol
A replicated chromosome appears as two strands in early stages of cell division. Each strand is called a…..
Chromatid
A linear DNA molecule wrapped around histone proteins found in the nucleus. Become visible in prophase of cell division.
Chromosome
A molecule or ion that helps an enzyme to work. It may be an inorganic ion or an enzyme.
Cofactor
The attraction between water molecules due to hydrogen bonding.
Cohesion
A structural fibrous protein found in connective tissue, bones, skin and cartilage. It accounts for 30% of body protein.
Collagen
A type of tissue that consists of separate cells held together by a ground substance (matrix).
Connective tissue
Part of an experimental investigation – set up to show that the variable being investigated is responsible for the change observed.
Control
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in nucleic acids. It pairs with guanine in DNA.
Cytosine
Removal of amine (NH2) group from an amino acid
Deamination
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 molecule consisting of two amino acids joined by a peptide bond.
Dipeptide
Describes the structure of DNA, a twisted helix of two strands with bases joining the strands.
Double helix
A suspension of one material in another as droplets, because it does not dissolve. For example, fat droplets dispersed in water.
Emulsion
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
An animal that produces heat within its cells, from respiration, to maintain a constant body temperature.
Endotherm
The intermediate structure in which product molecules are bound to an enzyme molecule.
Enzyme–product complex
The intermediate structure formed when a substrate molecule binds to an enzyme molecule.
Enzyme–substrate complex
A biochemical test for the presence of lipids.
Ethanol emulsion test
Outside the cell - for example describes enzymes that work outside the cell.
Extracellular
The passive movement of molecules across membranes down their concentration gradient. Aided by transport proteins but no metabolic energy is required.
Facilitated diffusion
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
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
A length of DNA that carries the code for the synthesis of one (or more) specific polypeptide(s).
Gene
A lipid with carbohydrate molecules attached.
Glycolipid
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in nucleic acids. It pairs with cytosine.
Guanine
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 cell
The iron-containing prosthetic group found in haemoglobin.
Haem
Organism that gains nutrients from complex organic molecules. These molecules are digested by enzymes to simple soluble molecules.
Heterotroph
Rate of reaction at the beginning before a significant amount of product has been formed or reactant used up.
Initial reaction rate
The phase of the cell cycle where synthesis of new DNA and organelles takes place.
Interphase
Inside the cell.
Intracellular
Fibrous protein found in skin, hair and nails.
Keratin
A variable that limits the rate of a process. If it is increased, then the rate of the process will increase.
Limiting factor
Membrane-bound vesicles made by pinching off from the Golgi body. They usually contain digestive enzymes.
Lysosome
The organelle found in cells in which most of the ATP synthesis occurs. It is the site of aerobic respiration.
Mitochondrion
The double membrane structure surrounding the nucleus in eukaryotic cells.
Nuclear envelope
Steroid hormone made in ovaries.
Oestrogen
Nitrogenous coompound in nucleic acid: adenine, thymine, uracil, cytosine, guanine are examples.
Organic base
Haemoglobin with oxygen molecules attached.
Oxyhaemoglobin
Gives measure of acidity/alkalinity of a solution. It is the reciprocal of the logarithmic value of the hydrogen ion concentration.
pH
A polymer consisting of many nucleotide monomers covalently bonded together (DNA and RNA are examples).
Polynucleotide
A suspension of small solid particles in a liquid, produced by a chemical reaction.
Precipitate
Adenine and guanine – nitrogenous bases consisting of a double ring structure.
Purine
Thymine, cytosine and uracil – nitrogenous bases consisting of a single ring structure.
Pyrimidine
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
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
A factor that increases the chance that you may develop a particular disease.
Risk factor
The replication of a DNA strand where the replicated double helix consists of one old strand and one newly synthesised strand.
Semi-conservative replication
A solid that dissolves in a liquid.
Solute
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
The ‘skin’ on the surface of water formed as a result of hydrogen bonding in water molecules pulling the surface molecules downwards.
Surface tension
Steroid hormone made in the testes.
Testosterone
A nitrogen-containing organic base found in DNA. It pairs with adenine.
Thymine
The assembly of an mRNA molecule that is a copy of the DNA coding strand (and complementary to the template strand).
Transcription
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
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
Condition in an experimental investigation. Can be independent (altered by the experimenter) or dependent (respond to changes in the independent variable).
Variable
A membrane-bound sac found in cells and used to transport materials around the cell.
Vesicle
A plant tissue containing vessels (and other cells) that are used to transport water in a plant and provide support.
Xylem
A protein secondary structure – a right-handed spiral held in place by hydrogen bonds between adjacent C=O and NH groups.
a-helix
A substance that reduces the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction by binding to the enzyme’s active site.
Competitive inhibitor
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
Simple procedures that show the presence of various biological molecules in samples or structures.
Food tests
Proteins with relatively spherical molecules, soluble in water, often having metabolic roles in organisms.
Globular proteins
A protein with carbohydrate molecules attached.
Glycoprotein
An atom (or group of atoms) carrying a positive or a negative charge.
Ion
The simple theory of enzyme action where the active site is directly complementary to the substrate molecule.
Lock-and-key hypothesis
A very large molecule, usually a biological polymer.
Macromolecule
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 condition that gives the fastest rate of reaction in enzyme-controlled reactions.
Optimum (temperature / pH)
A molecule consisting of a small number of amino acids bonded together by (covalent) peptide bonds.
Peptide
The nucleic acid found in ribosomes.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
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)
A slight change in the three dimensional structure of a protein that may result in a change in activity. Often involved in regulation of enzyme activity.
Conformational change
Disaccharide comprising a molecule of glucose and of fructose joined by a glycosidic bond. A widespread non-reducing sugar used for carbohydrate transport in plants.
Sucrose
A measure of the attractive force between substances or particles.
Affinity