Module 5 Flashcards
Absicisic acid (ABA)
Plant hormone that stimulates stomatal cloning, maintains see dormancy and triggers cold protective responses
Abscission
Shedding of leaves in plants
Acetylcholine
A type of neurotransmitter used for communication between neurones
Actin
Type of protein filament found in myofibrils. Forms thin filaments consisting of two long twisted chains
Actin-myosin binding site
Site of actin which normally blocked by tropmyosin. During muscle contraction, becomes exposed, allowing a myosin head to attach
Actin-myosin cross-bridge
Cross bridge formed when a myosin head attaches to the myosin binding site on an actin filament
Adenylyl cyclase
An enzyme which catalyses the conversion of ATP to cAMP
Adrenal glands
Glands at top of kidneys and produce adrenaline and steroid hormones
Adrenaline
Hormone which is secreted under stressful conditions. Serves as primary messanger and actives adenylyl cyclase
Afferent arteriole
Larger diameter arterioles which carries blood to glomerulus for ultrafiltration
Alkaloids
Group of nitrogenous compounds found in plants. Bitter tasting and affect metabolism of animals/insects which take them in
All or nothing principle
Principle which describes how any generator potential which reaches or exceeds threshold potential will produce an action potential
Alpha cells
Found in pancreas which secrete glucagon into blood to raise glucose conc
Anisotropic bands
Darker bands in a myofibril which consist of overlapping actin and myosin filaments
Anabolic steroids
Class of performance enhancing drugs which are structurally similar testosterone and used illegally by atheletes
Anterior pituitary gland
Region of pituitary gland which produces and secretes hormones
Antidiuretic hormones (ADH)
A hormone released from the posterior pituitary gland that increases the reabsorption of water in the kidney tubules
Aquaporin
A membrane channel used for selective transport of water in and out of cell
Autonomic nervous system
A branch of nervous system that carries nerve impulses to muscles and glands. Controls involuntary activities and two divisions: sympathetic and parasympathetic
Auxins
Class of plant hormones which control elongation, produce tropsims, prevent abscission, maintain apical dominance
Axon
Extension from a nerve cell which carries impulses away from the cell body
Beta cells
Found in pancreas and secrete insulin into blood to lower glucose conc
Bile canaliculi
Vessels which collect bile produced by hepatocytes