Organic compound
A compound that contains carbon found in living organisms, excluding carbonates and oxides
Enzyme
Biological catalysts made of protein that speed up the rate of a reaction
Active site
The region of an enzyme where the substrate binds
Denaturation
A structural change in the 3-D shape of a protein causing the loss of its chemical properties
Cell respiration
The controlled release of enrgy from organic compiunds in cells to form ATP
Gene
A heritable factor that controls a specific characteristic
Alleles
Specific forms of a gene, differing by one or few bases only and occupying the same locus of the gene
Genome
The whole of the genetic information of an organism
Gene mutation
A change in the gene sequence
Homologous chromosomes
Chromosomes similar in structure, with the same genes, but coming from different parents
Genotype
The alleles of an organism
Phenotype
The characteristics lof an organism
Dominant allele
An allele that has the same effect on the phenotype in the homozygous of heterozygous state
Recessive allele
An allele that only affects the phenotype in the homozygous state
Codominant alleles
Pairs of alleles that both affect the phenotype when present in the heterozygous state
Locus
The position of a gene on homologous chromosmes
Homozygous
Having two identical alleles of a gene
Heterozygous
Having two different alleles of a gene
Carrier
An individual that has one copy of a recessive gene coding for a genetic disease (that appears in homozygous individuals)
Test cross
Testing a suspected heterozygote by crossing it with a known homozygous recessive
Sex linkage
Occurs when genes are present on the sex chomosomes (X or sometimes Y) and are thus inherited with gender
Clone
A group of genetically identical organisms or cells derived from a single parent
Species
A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offpring
Habitat
The environment in which a species normally lives/The location of living organisms
Populations
A group of organisms of the same species who live in the same area at the same time
Community
A group of populations living and interacting with each other in an area
Ecosystem
A community and its abiotic environment
Ecology
The study of relationships between living organisms and their environment
Autotroph
An organism that synthesizes its organic molecules from simple inorganic substances
Heterotroph
An organism that obtains organis molecules from other organisms
Consumer
An organism that ingests other organic matter that is living or recently killed
Detritivore
An organism that ingests non-living organic matter
Saprotroph
An orgainism that lives on/in non-living organic matter, secreting digestive enzymes into it and absorbing the products of digestion
Trophic level
Level in a food chain defined by the method of obtaining food and in which all organisms are the same number of energy transfers away from the producer
Evolution
The cumulative change in the heritable characteristics of a population
Absorption
The products of digestions being absorbed from the digestive tract into the blood
Assimilation
The products of digestion are absorbed from the blood to the body cells
Pathogen
An organism or virus that causes a disease
Antigens
Molecules recognised as foreign
Antibodies
Soluble proteins produced by the immunes system as a response to antigens
Ventilation
A pumping mechanism moving air in and out of the lungs efficiently, maintaining the concentration gradient for diffusion in the alveoli
Gas exchange
The exchange of gas of an organism with its surroundings
Resting potential
Potential difference across a nerve cell membrane when it is not being stimulated (repolarised) (-70mV)
Action potential
Potential difference produced across a nerve cell membrane when it is stimulated (depolarised) (+40mV)
Type I diabetes
Individual with no or little insulin produced
Type II diabetes
Individual with body cells less sensitive to insulin