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Abiotic factor any of the nonliving factors that make up the environment of
living organisms.
Acid rain this is produced when certain gases in the atmosphere, such as
Sulphur dioxide, dissolve in rain water to form acids.
Actin a protein that forms the thin filaments found in the microscopic fibres
of skeletal muscle.
Action potential the rapid change in electrical charge across the membrane
of a nerve cells, causing the transmission of an impulse.
Active Transport the movement of substances from where they are less
concentrated to where they are more concentrated (against a concentration
gradient)
Adrenal Gland one of a pair of glands found adjacent to the kidney which is
responsible for secreting several important hormones.
Alveolus one of the air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place.
Amino acid the basic sub-unit or monomer from which proteins are formed.
Anther part of flower in which pollen develops and is later released when
the anther ruptures.
Anticodon a triplet of bases in transfer RNA (tRNA) that can form base pairs
with a specific codon during the synthesis of proteins.
Anti-diuretic hormone(ADH) a hormone which makes the distal convoluted
tubules and collecting ducts of a kidney nephron more permeable to water.
Apoplastic pathway the route by which water and solutes travel through the
cells walls of plants.
Aqueous humour the fluid found in the front part of the eye, between the
cornea and the lens.
Atom the smallest part of an element that cannot be broken down further
by chemical means.
Artrioventicular valve one of the valves between the atria and the ventricles
of the heart.
Atrium a chamber of the heart which receives blood returning from the
organs of the body.
Autonomic nervous system the part of the nervous system that is
responsible for controlling the involuntary activities of the body.
Axon the elongated section of a neurone (nerve cell) which carries impulses
away from the cell body.
Balanced diet a diet that includes all the necessary nutrients in the required
amounts to maintain good health.
Benedict’s test a biochemical test that can be used to show the presence of
a reducing sugar.
Bicuspid valve the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle in
the heart of a mammal.
Bile an alkaline solution that is released into the small intestine to aid the
digestion of fat.
Biuret tests a biochemical test that can be used to show the presence of a
protein.
Blood circulation the system that transports blood around the body of many
animals.
Blood groups the many types into which an individual’s blood may be
classified based on the presence or absence of certain antigens on the
surface of red blood cells.
Bronchiole a small tube in the lungs that carries air between a bronchus
and a large number of alveoli.
Bronchus a large tube in the lungs that carries air between the trachea and
a number of bronchioles.
Bundle of his specialized cardiac muscle fibres that run from the
atrioventricular node to the base of the heart.
Capillary a very small blood vessel where water, solutes and respiratory
gases are exchanged with body tissues.
Carbon cycle one of several nutrient cycles, describing how the element
carbon cycles in the environment.
Carotid body a collection of cells found in the walls of the carotid arteries
that are sensitive to the oxygen concentration and pH of blood.
Cell the basic structural and functional unit of most living organisms.
Cell cycle the sequence of events which occur during cell growth and cell
division.
Cell sap the solution (of sugars, amino acids and mineral salts) contained in
the vacuoles of plant cells.
Cell wall a rigid structure found outside the cell surface membrane of plant,
fungal and bacterial cells.
Central nervous system(CNS) the CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord,
and is responsible for coordinating the activities of the nervous system.
Chlroplast an organelle found in the cells of plants and algae which is the
site of photosynthesis.
Chordata the animal phylum containing fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and
mammals.
Chromatid one of the two identical strands of genetic material that make
up a chromosome.
Clone any of the genetically identical individuals that have arisen from a
single parent by asexual reproduction.
Cnidaria the animal phylum containing hydra, jellyfish, sea anemones and
corals.
Codominant alleles any two alleles which are both expressed in the
phenotype of a heterozygous organisms.
Colon part of the large intestine, found between the small intestine and the
rectum
Coniferophta the plants phylum which contains pines, firs and other
conifers.
Corpus luteum a tissue that forms in the ovary of a mammal following the
release of an ovum.
Cultural evolution the changes which have taken place in human societies
over the course of time.
Cyclic AMP a molecule that acts as a second messenger in many
physiological reactions induced by hormones.
Digestion the breakdown of food material into simple molecules that can be
absorbed by the body.
DNA a molecule that forms the genetic material of all living organisms.
DNA probe a single strand of DNA that is used to identify a particular gene.
Ecology the study of the interactions of organisms with their biotic (living)
and abiotic (non-living) environments
Emulsion test a biochemical test that can be used to show the presence of
lipid
Endocrine glands a gland that secretes a hormone directly into the blood
Evolution the process by which new species arise as the result of gradual
change to the genetic make-up of existing species over long periods of time
Exocytosis the transport of large particles or fluids out of a cell via the the
diffusion cell surface membrane
Fertilisation the fusion of male and female gametes during the process of
sexual reproduction to produce a zygote
Fovea part of the retina of the eye, containing a very large number of cone
cells
Gall bladder a small sac which stores bile produced by the liver.
Gametophyte the stage in the life cycle of a plant in which gametes are
produced.
Gaseous exchange the movement of gases between an organism and its
environment.
Gene pool all the genes and their different alleles that are present in a
particular population.
Generator potential the rapid change in electrical charge across the cell
surface membrane of a receptor as a result of a stimulus.
Genetic code the method by which the genetic information in DNA controls
the synthesis of specific proteins by the cell.
Genetic counseling the advice given to people from families with a history
of genetic disease about the risks of having children.
Gill the gas exchange organ of many aquatic animals, such as fish, mussels
and tadpoles.
Haemocoel collection of sinuses which are spaces within the body where
blood is pumped to at relatively low pressure from the heart.
Haemoglobin the red pigment found in red blood cells whose molecules
contain four iron ions within a globular protein made up of four
polypeptides and that combines reversibly with oxygen.
Haploid a term referring to cells which contain only a single copy of each
chromosome.
Haversion canal a canal where blood vessels run through the matrix.
Humus a black gum-like substance, derived from decayed plant and animal
remains.
Hydrolysis the breaking down of large molecules into smaller ones with the
addition of a water molecule.
Hypertonic when external water potential is more negative than that of the
cell (that is, the cell is surrounded by a solution of more negative water
potential)
Hypocotyl the base of the radicle, just below the attachment of the
cotyledons.
Hypothalamus the main control center for the autonomic nervous system.
Hypotonic when the external water potential is less negative than that of
the cell (that is the cell is surrounded by a solution with a less negative
water potential)
In vitro any biological processes that occurs outside body, in any artificial
situation
Isomer a molecule that contains the same atoms as another molecule but
has a different structure
Isotonic a solution that has the same water potential as another solution
Lactate (or lactic acid) the end product of anaerobic respiration, often
produced by muscles during exercise
Lactation the production of milk by mammary glands
Leguminous plant a plant that plays an important role in the nitrogen cycle
LH lutenising hormone
Ligament a tough but flexible connective tissue that hold bones together as
a movable joint
Ligase any of a group of enzymes that are important in the synthesis and
repair of many biological molecule
Linkage term used to describe the situation in which two or more genes are
found on the same chromosomes.
Link reaction the reaction that links glycolysis and the Krebs cycle during
aerobic respiration
Lipase an enzyme that breaks down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
Lock and key hypothesis simple model to explain the way in which the
active site of the enzymes binds to the substrate to catalyze a reaction.
Magnification the number of times greater that an image is than the actual
object. Magnification= image size / object size.
Medulla oblongata part of the brain which is responsible for regulating the
breathing rate and blood flow around the body
Menstrual cycle the cycle of events associated with ovulation and the
development and breakdown of the endometrium
Metabolism all the chemical processes that take place in living organisms
Mitosis the type of nuclear division in which the daughter cells have the
same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
Monoculture term used to describe a large area of land in which only one
type of crop is grown.
Multiple alleles term used to describe a gene which has more than two
possible alleles.
Myofibrils the microscopic fibres that make up the larger fibres of skeletal
muscle
Myosin a protein that forms the thick filaments in the microscopic fibres of
skeletal muscle
Niche the precise point at which an organism fits into its environment, both
in terms of where it lives and what it does.
Nitrogen cycle one of several nutrient cycles, describing how the element
nitrogen cycles in the environment
Nucleotide the basic unit from which nucleic acids are formed
Oesophagus the section of the digestive system that lies between the
mouth and the stomach
Osmosis the net movement of water molecules from a region of high water
potential to a region of loe water potential through a partially permeable
membrane, as a result of their random motion.
Oxygen debt the amount of oxygen needed to oxidize the lactic acid that
accumulates during anaerobic respiration.
Palisade wall a type of cell found just beneath the upper epidermis pf a leaf
Papilla (e) cellular outgrowths which look like little bumps or fingers on the
surface of cells.
Petal one of the outer appendages of a flower, located between the outer
sepals and the stamens. Petals often display bright colors that serve to
attract pollinators.
Pharynx cavity in the digestive tract just past the mouth itself.
Physiology the study of the processes which sustain life in organisms, such
as nutrition, respiration and reproduction
Placenta a tissue formed within the uterus through which nutrients are
passed from the mother to the embryo (and later the fetus) and its wastes
are removed
Plasmogamy a process of fusion of the cytoplasm of two cells; the first step
in syngamy.
Plasmolysis the shrinkage of cytoplasm away from the cell wall in plant
cells
Pollinator animal which carries pollen from one seed plant to another,
unwittingly aiding the plant in its reproduction.
Polymer a large molecule constructed from many smaller identical units.
Prenyl group a long unsaturated fatty acyl chain which allows proteins to be
attached to the plasma membrane or to intracellular membranes
Q
Q10 the increase in the rate of a process when the temperature is
increased by 10 degrees celsius.
Quadrat a square frame used to mark out an area in which organisms can
be investigated
Red blood cell a cell speacialised for transporting respiratory gases in blood
Refractory period the time interval during which a nerve cell is incapable of
responding to a stimulus
Resting potential the difference in electrical charges across the cell surface
membrane of a nerve cell.
Rod cell a light sensitive cell found in the retina of the eye
Root the part of the plant that goes downwards, normally into the ground,
anchoring the plant and absorbing and conducting water and mineral
nutrients.
Root pressure the force exerted by roots which pushes water into the
xylem and up the plant
Saprophytes any organism that obtains its nutrients from dead or decaying
matter by secreting digestive enzymes onto the food and then absorbing
the soluble products of digestion
Schwann cell a cell that produces the mylin sheath around a nerve cell
Sediment any solid material that has settled out of a state of suspension in
liquid.
Shoot usually, the above ground portion of a plant, bearing the leaves.
Spinal cord part of the central nervous system that is enclosed by the
backbone
Sporophyte the stage in the life cycle of a plant in which spores are
produced.
Stomach part of the digestive system, located between the oesophagus and
the duodenum
Style the narrow stalk of the pistil, located above the ovary but below the
stigma.
Supernatant the liquid layer which is left on top after a suspension has
been centrifuged
Surface area to volume ratio the ratio between the surface area of an
organism to its volume
Trachea(mammal) a tube which links the mouth and nose to the lungs in
air-breathing vertebrates
Transcription the copying of the genetic code from DNA to messenger RNA
during protein synthesis
Transfer RNA a type of RNA which carries amino acids to a ribosome during
protein synthesis
Tricuspid valve the valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle in
the heart of a mammal
Turgor pressure force exerted outward on a cell wall by the water contained
in the cell.
Unsaturated Fatty Acid a fatty acid which has less than the maximum
number of hydrogen atoms attached to its carbon atom
Uracil a pyrimidine nitrogenous base that is found in RNA
Ventricle a chamber of the heart that pumps blood to the organs of the
body
Venule a vessel that receives blood from capillaries and carries it to a vein
Wilting the condition that occurs in plants when more water is lost by
transpiration than is absorbed from the soil
Xylem the plant vascular tissue concerned with the transport of water and
inorganic salts
Y
Zygote a diploid cell that results from the fusion of two gametes during
sexual reproduction