Prokaryotic
Cells that do not have a nucleus or membrane bound organelles
Mitochondria
The organelle that is responsible for aerobic respiration
Passive Transport
Cell transport that does not require energy
Proteins
A biomolecule that is made up of amino acids joined together by peptide bonds
Catabolism
A "breaking down" chemical reaction that releases energy E.g. respiration
Endocytosis
A form of active transport in which the cell membrane engulfs large particles to bring them into the cell.
Osmosis
The net movement of water from an area of low to high solute concentration across a cell membrane
Golgi Complex
The organelle that is responsible for packaging and secreting materials
Photosynthesis
The chemical reaction that uses light energy, carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen.
Diffusion
The movement of a solute from an area of high to low solute concentration.
Anaerobic Respiration
The type of respiration that does not use oxygen and only produces 2ATP per molecule of glucose
Enzyme
A protein used to catalyse a chemical reaction
Lysosome
The organelle used in the digestion of cellular waste products
Eukaryotic
Cells that have a nucleus and membrane bound organelles
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
The membranous organelle that is covered in ribosomes and is involved in protein synthesis
Nucleic Acid
The biomolecule that is composed of nucleotides
Denaturisation
The name of the process in which enzymes become structurally damaged due to extreme changes in pH or temperature
Golgi Complex (8?)
The membranous organelle that is involved in modifying proteins (e.g. adding carbohydrates or lipids)
Metabolism
A term used to describe all of the biochemical reactions involved in sustaining an organism
Lipids (fat)
A biomolecule composed of glycerol and fatty acids
Anabolism
A "building-up" chemical reaction that requires energy e.g. photosynthesis
Phospholipids
The name of a molecule that makes up the cell membrane. It is composed of a phosphate head and fatty acid tails.
Chloroplast
The organelle that carries out the process of photosynthesis
Infectious diseases
The term used to describe diseases caused by pathogens
Leukocytes
The broad type of white blood cells that are involved in the humoral response
Antigen
Molecules that stimulate an immune response. E.g. the proteins in the cell wall of a bacterium
Inflammation
A general response occurs when the first line of defence is breached. This response results in redness and swelling.
Active Immunity
The type of immunity where the immune system produces antibodies and memory cells in response to exposure to a particular antigen (e.g. vaccination or exposure to a pathogen)
Cytotoxic T-Cell
The name of the effector cells in the cell-mediated response
Pathogen
A disease-causing organism or molecule e.g. virus, prion, bacteria etc
B-Cell
The name of the effector cells in the humoral response
First line of Defence
Physical, chemical and microbiological barriers are part of this line of defence.
Innate Immune System
The name given to the general immune response which includes the first and second lines of defence.
Virus
A type of pathogen that is acellular but contains a nucleic acid
T-Cells
The broad type of blood cells that are involved in the cell-mediated response
Antibodies (immunoglobin)
Proteins that are produced by plasma cells to neutralise pathogens
Passive immunity
The type of short-term immunity where an individual is given antibodies (e.g. antibodies acquired by a baby during breast feeding)
Vectors
The name given to organisms that transmit pathogens from one host to another, but do not show symptoms of disease.
Adaptive Immune System
The term used to describe the specific immune response, which includes the humoral and cell-mediated components.
Bacteria
A type of pathogen with a prokaryotic cell type.
Histamine
The chemical which causes the blood vessels to dilate and become more permeable during the inflammatory response.
Effector T-Cells
The cells that "conduct" the adaptive immune response by activating both the humoral and cell-mediated response.
Adherence Factors
The name given to virulence factors which enable pathogens to adhere to their host.
Endotherm
The broad name given to the group of organisms metabolically generate their body heat and generally maintain a relatively stable body temperature.
Metabolism
A term which describes all of the biochemical reactions involved in sustaining a living organism.
Receptors
Structures used in the negative feedback model to detect stimuli e.g. changes in pH levels or light levels)
Capillary
The small blood vessels that are exchange materials with cells.
Herbivore
The name given to organisms that consume only plant material.
Homeostasis
The process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment.
Uric Acid
The excretory product produced by desert reptiles to conserve water. It has low toxicity and low solubility.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
The gas produced as a waste product of respiration. This gas can decrease the pH of the cellular fluids.
Counter-current Flow
A highly efficient exchange mechanism in which 2 substances (e.g. air, water, blood) flow past each other in opposite directions to enhance the exchange of materials between the two substances.
Stem Cell
The name given to unspecialised and undifferentiated cells.
Hibernation
A thermoregulation strategy in which small endotherms decrease their metabolic rate and body temperature over winter to conserve energy.
Enzymes
Proteins which catalyse chemical reactions.
Loops of Henle
The part of the nephron that uses counter current exchange to concentrate the filtrate.
Villi (with microvilli)
The name of the small finger-like protrusions in the intestine which increase the surface area for absorption.
Bowman's Capsule
The part of the nephron the initially collects the filtrate from the capillaries in the kidneys.
Anabolism
A "building up" reaction which requires energy.
Diffusion
The process by which gases passively move down their concentration gradient (from an area of high to low concentration).
Totipotent
A term used to describe stem cells that can become any other type of cell. These cells have the greatest potency (ability to differentiate).
Caecum
A structure found in herbivores at the junction of the small and large intestines. This structure stores cellulase producing bacteria.
Alveoli
The small air sacs (site of gas exchange) in human lungs.
Negative Feedback
A feedback model which detects a stimulus and then elicits a response to counteract the change that was detected.
Osmoregulators
The term used to describe organisms which regulate their water and salt balance within tight limits.
Tolerance Range
The term used to describe the range, in relation to an abiotic variable, in which an organism can survive.