Biology

Cards (52)

  • Acrosome
    An organelle in the tip of a sperm that contains enzymes which digest the egg cell membrane
  • Active site
    A specific region on an enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction takes place
  • Active transport
    The movement of substances from a low concentration to a higher concentration (against the concentration gradient) across a membrane, with the use of energy from respiration
  • Benedict's test

    A chemical test used to test for reducing sugars that produces a different colour based on the amount of reducing sugar present
  • Biuret test

    A chemical test that produces a purple colour when it is added to a solution containing protein
  • Calorimetry
    A method of measuring heat transfer during a chemical reaction
  • Carbohydrases
    Enzymes that break down carbohydrates into simple sugars
  • Carbohydrate
    A large molecule that is synthesised from simple sugars
  • Cell
    The basic building block of all living organisms
  • Cell membrane
    A partially permeable barrier that surrounds the cell
  • Cell wall
    An outer layer made of cellulose that strengthens plant cells
  • Chloroplast
    An organelle that is the site of photosynthesis
  • Chromosome
    A long, coiled molecule of DNA that carries genetic information in the form of genes
  • Cilia
    Hair-like structures found on ciliated epithelial cells which waft substances across the surface of the tissue in one direction
  • Ciliated epithelial cell
    A type of epithelial cell that lines the surface of structures such as the respiratory tract and uterus
  • Concentration gradient
    The difference in concentration between two areas
  • Denaturation
    Upon exposure to high temperatures or extremes of pH, the permanent change in the shape of an enzyme's active site that prevents the binding of a substrate
  • Diffusion
    The net spreading out of particles from a high concentration to a lower concentration (down their concentration gradient)
  • Diploid cell

    A cell that contains two copies of each chromosome (i.e. a full set of chromosomes)
  • Egg cell
    A specialised female sex cell involved in reproduction
  • Electron microscope
    A type of microscope that uses a beam of electrons, focused using magnets, to produce an image of a specimen. It has a greater magnification and resolution than a light microscope
  • Emulsion test

    A chemical test that produces a cloudy emulsion when performed on lipids
  • Enzyme
    A biological catalyst that increases the rate of reactions in living organisms
  • Eukaryotic cell
    A type of cell found in plants and animals that contains a nucleus
  • Flagella
    A long hair-like structure found on bacterial cells that is used for cell movement
  • Haploid cell
    A cell that contains a single copy of each chromosome (i.e. half the number of chromosomes)
  • Iodine test

    A chemical test that produces a blue/black colour when iodine solution is added to a sample containing starch
  • Light microscope
    A type of microscope that uses a series of lenses to magnify the visible light reflecting off a specimen. It has a lower magnification and resolution than an electron microscope
  • Lipases
    Enzymes that break down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
  • Lipid
    A large molecule that is synthesised from fatty acids and glycerol
  • Lock and key hypothesis
    A theory that describes how substrates must be the correct shape to fit the active site of an enzyme
  • Magnification
    The number of times bigger an image appears compared to the original object, calculated using the formula: image size = magnification × real size
  • Micrometre (µm)

    A quantitative unit of length. One micrometre is equal to ×10^-6 metre
  • Millimetre (mm)

    A quantitative unit of length. One millimetre is equal to ×10^-3 metre
  • Mitochondria
    An organelle that is the site of respiration
  • Nanometre (nm)

    A quantitative unit of length. One nanometre is equal to ×10^-9 metre
  • Nucleus
    An organelle found in most eukaryotic cells that contains the genetic material of the cell and controls the activities of the cell
  • Organelle
    A specialised structure found inside a cell
  • Osmosis
    The diffusion of water molecules from a region of high water concentration to a region of lower water concentration across a partially permeable membrane
  • Percentage change in mass
    The proportion of the mass of a substance that has changed over a set period, calculated using: (change in mass / original mass) x 100