Living Environment Flashcards Regents

• Homeostasis


  The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal balanced environment
• Failure to maintain homeostasis can result in SICKNESS or DEATH
• Metabolism


  The sum of all the chemical reactions that occur within the cells of an organism
• Organic molecules


  Contain skeleton structures of carbon with hydrogen and oxygen
• Organic Molecules


  • Carbohydrates (starch)
  • Proteins
  • Lipids
  • Nucleic Acid
• Monomers


  Smaller units from which larger molecules are made
• Synthetic polymers


  • nylon
  • polyethylene
  • polyester
  • Teflon
  • epoxy
• Enzyme catalysis


  1. Substrate binding

  2. Transition state facilitation

  3. Catalysis

  4. Release
• Enzymes


  • They increase the rate of chemical reactions without themselves being consumed or permanently altered by the reaction
  • They increase reaction rates without altering the chemical equilibrium between reactants and products
• Organization of living things

  • Cells
  • Tissues
  • Organs
  • Organ Systems
  • Organism
• Organelles


  • Vacuoles
  • Ribosome
  • Mitochondria
  • Chloroplasts
  • Nucleus
  • Cytoplasm
  • Cell Membrane
• Passive Transport or Diffusion


  The movement of molecules from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration (NO ENERGY USED)
• Active Transport


  The moving a molecule from LOW concentration to a HIGH concentration (USES ENERGY in the form of ATP)
• Human Body Systems


  • Digestive
  • Circulatory
  • Respiratory
  • Excretory
  • Nervous
  • Endocrine
• Receptor Sites


  Chemicals produced in the endocrine glands (HORMONES) and chemicals produced by nerve cells are primarily responsible for communication between cells
• Respiration


  The process used by ALL organisms to produce energy by using oxygen to burn sugar in order to release energy in the form of (ATP)
• Digestion


  1. Breaking large molecules down into smaller molecules

  2. Proteins are broken down into Amino Acids

  3. Carbohydrates and Starches are broken down into Simple Sugars

  4. Fats (Lipids) are broken down to Fatty Acids & Glycerol
• Transport involves the movement of materials inside the cell as well as the movement between parts of a multicellular organism
• Excretion is the removal of all waste produced by the cells of the body
• Synthesis is the making or building of large molecules from smaller ones
• Photosynthesis


  The process of storing the energy from the sun in the chemical bonds of glucose (sugar)
• Photosynthesis is carried out in the Chloroplasts of Producers (plants)
• Cellular Respiration


  Occurs in the Mitochondria of All Organisms both plants and animals
• Enzymes


  Special proteins that affect the rate of chemical reactions. Enzymes are catalysts used in digestion and synthesis
• Factors affecting enzyme reaction rates

  • Shape- "Lock and Key Model"
  • Temperature
  • Ph

  
• Dynamic Equilibrium


  A steady state-balance- : HOMEOSTASIS
• Negative Feedback


  Controls hormone levels to maintain homeostasis
• As the temperature in your house goes up


  The thermostat turns your heat off
• As the temperature goes down


  The thermostat turns on
• When glucose (sugar) levels are above normal

  The pancreas secretes INSULIN

  
• When the glucose level in the blood is too low

  The pancreas secretes glucagon which prompts the release of glucose stored in the liver which raises BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL

  
• Our Skin and Circulation Systems are the body's primary defense against disease-causing pathogens (Immunity) via White blood cells
• Surface Receptor Protein


  A molecule found on the cell membrane that the immune system recognizes as either part of the body or an outside invader. Antigens are the receptor proteins on the membrane of pathogens (germs)
• Antibodies


  • Special proteins produced by the white blood cells that can be thought of as your body's army to fight diseases
  • Antibodies have specific shapes that fit over specific antigens
  • When an antibody fits into the antigen (receptor on the pathogen) it blocks communication preventing the germ from reproducing and making you sick
• Immunity


  Our body's ability to fight disease. Once you have been exposed to a specific virus white blood cells remember the antigens and produce antibodies that prevent you from getting sick from the same virus for the second time
• Vaccination


  Composed of a weakened or dead virus that triggers our white blood cells to produce antibodies to fight a specific pathogen
• Diseases are caused pathogens (virus, bacterium, and fungus)
• Types of cell division

  • Mitosis
  • Meiosis
• Mitotic division


  ONE cell division 1 2, Parent cell divides equally to produce 2 identical daughter cells, Genetic makeup identical to parent, 2n – Diploid #, Function: To produce Identical cells used for growth and repair
• Meiotic division


  TWO cell divisions 1 4, Parent cell divides twice to produce either 4 sperm cells or (female) 3 polar bodies + 1 Egg (ovum), Genetic makeup 1/2 of the parent cell, 1n – Haploid #, Function: To produce sex cells with ½ of the species chromosome number