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186 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Light microscopes |
A device which uses lenses to magnify small things.
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Cells |
The smallest unit of life, many of these make up an organism.
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Cell membrane |
The semi-permeable "container" that holds a cells contents together and controls what enters and leaves a cell.
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Cytoplasm |
The gel-like substance which holds all of a cells contents.
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Organelles |
A part of a cell with a specific function.
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Nucleus |
The part of a cell which controls its activities.
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DNA |
An molecule containing the genetic code.
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Mitochondria |
The place in a cell where respiration occurs.
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Cell wall |
Made of cellulose this tough outer layer surrounds some cells and can control the shape of the cell.
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Cellulose |
The compound which makes up the cell wall in plant cells.
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Vacuole |
A space in a cell which may contain water or solution. Plant cells often have one large vacuole.
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Chloroplasts |
These contain chlorophyll to absorb sunlight for photosynthesis.
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Chlorophyll |
The green substance in some plant cells that absorbs sunlight.
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Electron microscope |
A special type of telescope for looking at objects smaller than a light microscope can magnify sufficiently.
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Chromosomal DNA |
The double-helix shapes DNA structure found in many cells, including human cells.
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Plasmid DNA |
A ring of DNA capable of replicating itself. Found in bacteria commonly.
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Flagella |
Long thread-like parts of some cells that help them move.
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Magnification |
The act of making something appear bigger (using a lens).
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Direct proportion |
Where two things both increase at the same ratio to each other.
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Chromosomes |
The structures made up of DNA. Found in cells nuclei in animals.
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Genes |
The name given to a section of DNA that controls a particular characteristic.
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Double helix |
The shape of the DNA molecule.
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Bases |
The building blocks of DNA that can be adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine.
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Adenine (A) |
The base that pairs with thymine.
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Thymine (T) |
The base that pairs with adenine.
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Cytosine (C) |
The base that pairs with cytosine.
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Guanine (G) |
The base that pairs with guanine.
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Complementary base pairs |
Adenine and thymine or cytosine and guanine - pairs of bases that bond together.
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Hydrogen bonds |
The weak bonds holding the double helix together.
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Human Genome Project (HGP) |
The research project to map all human genes.
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Genome |
All of organism's genetic information.
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Genetic engineering |
Manipulating (altering) an organisms genes using technology.
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Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) |
AN organism that has genes altered intentionally by humans.
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Golden rice |
A genetically modified rice designed to contain more beta-carotene (to produce vitamin A).
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Beta-carotene |
The substance that makes carrots orange and is important for vitamin A.
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Herbicide |
Something designed to kill particular plants.
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Biodiversity |
The range of different biological life.
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Daughter cells |
The cells that form after the first stage of mitosis or meiosis.
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Parent cell |
The original cell that undertakes mitosis or meiosis.
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Asexual reproduction |
Reproduction involving mitosis to form identical off-spring.
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Sexual reproduction |
Reproduction involving meiosis to give variation in offspring.
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Gametes |
Sex cells.
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Haploid |
Containing half the number of normal chromosomes.
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Fertilisation |
The fusion of gametes (sex cells) to make a new cell, e.g. sperm and egg.
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Zygote |
The initial cell formed after fertilisation.
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Embryo |
The ball of many cells in the initial stages of pregnancy.
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Meiosis |
Cell replication that involves the formation of daughter cells with different (and half the number of) chromosomes.
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Alleles |
A particular form of a gene.
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Clones |
Identical genetic copies.
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Enucleated |
A cell with the nucleus removed.
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Implanted |
When something is inserted into something else.
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Uterus |
The womb.
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Surrogate mother |
A mother who has been artificially inseminated (has had a donor embryo that is not her own).
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Embryonic stem cells |
Stem cells found in the embryo.
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Stem cell |
An unspecialised cell which can become other types of cell.
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Differentiated |
A cell which has become more specialised.
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Adult stem cells |
A stem cell that comes from an adult, as opposed to an embryo.
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Genetic code |
The code formed by genes / DNA.
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Amino acids |
The building blocks which form proteins and which proteins break down in to during digestion.
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Protein synthesis |
The building of new proteins.
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Transcription |
DNA being copied into RNA.
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Messenger RNA (mRNA) |
The RNA which moves from the nucleus to the ribosomes.
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Uracil (U) |
Part of the RNA code that replace thyanine.
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Ribosome |
The place in a cell where protein synthesis occurs.
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Base triplets |
The method used to read the RNA code in sections of three.
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Codons |
Segments of three of the genetic code.
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Transfer RNA (tRNA) |
The RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosomes to be built into proteins.
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Polypeptide |
A chain of amino acids.
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Mutation |
An alteration to the genetic code.
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Enzymes |
A biological catalyst. It helps control the rate of a reaction.
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Catalyst |
Something which speeds up the rate of reaction but is not part of the reaction.
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Digestion |
The break down of larger molecules of food into smaller ones.
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Substrate |
The molecule an enzyme acts on.
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Specific |
Relating to one in particular.
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Active site |
The place on an enzyme where the reaction occurs.
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‘Lock and key’ hypothesis |
The idea that an enzyme's active site fits particular molecules.
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Denatured |
The permanent damage of an enzyme.
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Respiration |
The release of energy from glucose.
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Aerobic respiration |
Respiration that requires oxygen.
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Glucose |
Simple sugar.
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Capillaries |
The blood vessels that carry blood to cells.
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Diffusion |
The net movement of particles from an area of high concentration to low concentration.
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Concentration gradient |
The difference between two areas of concentration.
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Gas exchange |
The exchange of different gases (e.g. carbon dioxide and oxygen).
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Stroke volume |
The amount of blood pumped from one ventricle in a heart beat.
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Cardiac output |
The amount of blood pumped by the heart (from a ventricle) in one minute.
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Anaerobic respiration |
Respiration without oxygen that leads to lactic acid build up.
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Lactic acid |
The acid that builds up as a product of anaerobic respiration.
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Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) |
The oxygen required to break down lactic acid after anaerobic respiration.
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Starch |
A carbohydrate (large molecule).
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Photosynthesis |
The release of energy from the reaction between carbon dioxide and water.
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Stomata |
The tiny pores on the epidermis of land plants.
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Surface area to volume ratio |
The ratio of something's surface area to its overall volume.
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Limiting factor |
A factor which causes a limit to something (e.g. limits photosynthesis).
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Root hair cells |
The long thin cells on roots that give a large surface area for diffusion to occur.
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Osmosis |
The net movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration across a partially permeable membrane.
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Partially permeable membrane |
A membrane that only lets some (smaller) molecules pass through it.
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Active transport |
The uptake of minerals against the concentration gradient (from low to high) that requires energy.
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Xylem |
The (tubes) in a plant that transport water (and some minerals).
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Phloem |
The (tubes) in a plant that carry sugar solution and some minerals around the plant.
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Transpiration |
The process by which moisture is carried through plants.
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Photometer |
An instrument for measuring light intensity.
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Environment |
A particular place or surroundings.
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Ecosystem |
A system of living things that are interact with each other.
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Habitat |
An environment occupied by a particular species.
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Distribution |
How something is spread out.
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Population size |
The number of individuals.
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Sampling |
A method of selecting a smaller set of individuals from a population.
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Random sampling |
Sampling by using a method that gives random individuals or areas of study.
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Representative |
Something that is an example that represents the bigger population.
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Pooter |
A device used to collect insects.
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Sweep net |
A net for catching some species.
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Pond net |
A net for catching some species from ponds.
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Pitfall traps |
A hole dug to catch some species for sampling.
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Quadrats |
A square used to identify an area for sampling.
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Systematic sampling |
Sampling using a logical/mathematical way of working out where to sample from.
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Fossils |
The preserved remains or traces of animals or plants.
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Fossil record |
The overall record of fossils found.
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Evolution |
The theory that species change over time due to survival of the fittest.
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Pentadactyl |
Five toes or fingers on a limb.
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Growth |
An increase in size or quantity over time.
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Percentile |
A value below which a certain percentage of individuals fall (e.g. 20% fall below the 20th percentile).
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Elongation |
To become longer.
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Plasma |
The pale yellow part of blood that holds the blood cells etc. in suspension.
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Red blood cells |
The blood cells that carry oxygen (and have no nucleus).
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White blood cells |
The blood cells that fight infection.
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Platelets |
The part of the blood that leads to clotting.
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Haemoglobin |
The iron compound in red blood cells that reacts with oxygen etc. in order to carry it from the lungs.
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Tissue |
A collection of cells working together.
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Antibodies |
Proteins that identify and neutralise foreign bodies in the blood.
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Organ |
A collection of tissues working together.
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Deoxygenated |
Without oxygen.
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Oxygenated |
With oxygen.
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Septum |
A wall dividing something into two parts (as in the heart, lungs and nose).
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Vena cava |
The blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood to the heart.
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Right atrium |
The entrance chamber to the heart for dexoygenated blood.
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Valves |
A "flap" that opens to allow blood to flow in the correct direction and closes to prevent backflow.
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Right Ventricle |
The second chamber in the heart for deoxygenated blood that pumps it to the lungs.
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Pulmonary artery |
The blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
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Left atrium |
The entrance chamber to the heart for oxygenated blood from the lungs.
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Pulmonary vein |
The blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
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Left ventricle |
The second chamber for oxygenated blood which pumps the blood to the body.
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Aorta |
The blood vessel which carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body.
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Blood vessels |
"Tubes" which carry blood.
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Arteries |
Blood vessels which carry blood away from the heart.
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Veins |
Blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart.
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Organ systems |
Organs working together to perform a function.
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Circulatory system |
The system that transports blood etc. around the body.
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Digestive system |
The system that breaks down food into smaller molecules for absorption.
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Alimentary canal |
The gut (tubes of the digestive system).
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Bolus |
The ball of food swallowed down the oesphagus.
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Saliva |
A watery substance found in the mouth that contains amylase.
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Oesophagus |
The tube that carries out peristalsis to carry a bolus of food from the mouth to the stomach.
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Peristalsis |
The action of moving a bolus of food through the oesophagus.
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Stomach |
The part of the digestive system containing acid and pepsin.
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Small intestine |
The part of the digestive system where digestion and absorption occurs of all food groups.
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Villi |
The small structures on the intestines that increase surface area and allow absorption to happen.
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Pancreas |
The organ that releases enzymes into the digestive system.
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Large Intestine |
The part of the digestive system where water is mainly absorbed.
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Faeces |
The waste from digestion.
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Anus |
The opening at the end of the digestive system.
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Liver |
The organ with many jobs including bile production.
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Bile |
The substance which neutralises stomach acid and helps to emulsify fats.
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Gall Bladder |
The place where bile is stored.
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Carbohydrates |
Complex sugar molecules.
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Proteins |
Complex molecules built from amino acids.
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Fats |
Food molecules that are broken down into glycerol and fatty acids.
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Sugars |
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules found in food (i.e. a type of carbohydrate).
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Carbohydrases |
Enzymes that break down carbohydrates into simpler sugars (e.g. glucose or maltose).
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Amylase |
The enzyme that breaks carbohydrates down into maltose (or glucose/simple sugars).
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Proteases |
The enzymes that break proteins down into amino acids.
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Amino acids |
The small molecules that make up proteins.
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Pepsin |
The enzyme found in the stomach that breaks down proteins and works in acidic conditions.
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Lipases |
The enzymes that break down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
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Fatty acids |
An acid that make up fats.
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Glycerol |
A liquid that make up fats.
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Emulsion |
A mixture of two or more liquids that will not mix well normally.
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Emulsifies |
Something that allows two liquids that will not mix well to intersperse.
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Functional foods |
A food with an ingredient that has an additional purpose (such as promoting health of the digestive system).
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Probiotics |
Live microorganisms that may benefit the host.
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Lactobactillus |
A bacteria that helps break down lactose.
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Bifidobacteria |
A "good bacteria" that helps with digestive health.
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Plant stanol esters |
Plant extracts that reduce certain cholesterol levels.
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Cholesterol |
A waxy substance from fats needed by the body but which can block arteries if too much is present in the blood.
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Prebiotics |
Foods that help promote growth of good bacteria.
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Oligosaccharides |
A type of sugar that may act as a prebiotic. |
