B2.3 Common systems page 90 Flashcards
(98 cards)
Why are there gaps in fossil records?
- fossils don’t always form
- soft tissue decays
- some fossils haven’t been found yet
What is the fossil record?
A collection of fossils from different periods of time that can be used to form a hypothesis about the history of life on Earth
What is a pentadactyl limb?
A five fingered limb structure
How does the pentadactyl limb provide evidence for evolution?
It suggests that all vertebrates evolved from one common ancestor because most vertebrates have a pentadactyl limb
What is growth?
An increase in size, length or mass
What are meristems?
Places just behind the tips of roots and shoots where plant cells keep dividing
How do plants get bigger?
- cells in the meristem divide
- these then elongate
What is elongation in plant cells?
The lengthning of cells after division
What is differentiation in plants?
The specialisation of plant cells after elongation
What are stem cells?
Cells that can differentiate into a specialised cell
What is the difference between adult and embryonic stem cells?
Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into almost any kind of cell whereas adult stem cells have a more limited range
How much blood does the average adult contain?
5 litres
What is blood made up of?
- plasma
- red blood cells
- white blood cells
- platelets
What percentage of blood is plasma?
55%
What percentage of the blood are white blood cells and platelets?
<1%
What percentage of the blood are red blood cells?
45%
What colour is plasma?
Yellow
What does plasma do?
Transport dissolved substances like carbon dioxide, food substances and hormones
What pigment causes red blood cells to be red?
Haemoglobin
What do red blood cells do?
Transport oxygen to cells in the form of oxyhaemoglobin
What is formed when oxygen combines with haemoglobin?
Oxyhaemoglobin
What type of reaction is the combining of oxygen and haemoglobin?
A reversible reaction
When does oxygen combine with haemoglobin?
When the blood passes through the lungs
What is the shape of a red blood cell?
A biconcave disc