Biology Flashcards
(102 cards)
what is the cytoplasm ?
liquid gel which contains enzymes, where chemical reactions happen
what are mitochondria ?
structures where oxygen is used and energy is released during aerobic respiration
what is the function of the permanent vacuole ?
- stores cell sap
- provides rigidity and cell support
what is cell sap ?
weak solution of: salt, sugar, mineral ions, waste molecules
how are erythrocytes specialised ?
- haemoglobin
- biconcave shape
- anuclear (no nucleus)
- mature cells have no mitochondria
give advantages of biconcave shape of erythrocytes
- large SA
- can squeeze through capillaries
how are sperm cells specialised ?
- flagellum allows movement
- head is streamlined
- head is acrosome (contains digestive enzymes)
- middle packed with mitochondria
what do egg cells carry ?
female DNA and store food to provide energy / building molecules for early stages of developing embryo
what happens to cell membrane of egg once fused with sperm ?
strengthens to prevent other sperm from entering
give the total number of human chromosomes
46
how is genetic material contained in bacterial cells ?
free in cytoplasm (in rings - plasmid)
what is the term for bacteria division ?
binary fission
what do bacteria often produce that is harmful ?
toxins
give 3 ways in which white blood cells help defend the body
- ingest microorganisms
- produce antigens
- produce antitoxins
what are antitoxins ?
antibodies that neutralise toxins
how is antibiotic resistance avoided ?
- patients finish course of antibiotics
- medics avoid unnecessarily prescribing
what is the most common example of a ‘super bug’ ?
MRSA
what type of pathogen are antibiotics used for ?
bacteria
give 4 functions of proteins
- structural components (muscles/tendons)
- hormones
- antibodies
- enzymes
enzymes at high temp are described as …
denatured
enzymes at low temp are described as …
inactive
what is the optimum temp for most human enzymes ?
37 degrees Celsius
what is pepsin and what is its optimum pH?
stomach enzyme at a pH of 2 (acidic)
what does changing the pH do to enzymes ?
alters intermolecular forces and bonds that holds the enzyme, altering active site shape