Module 1 and 2 Glossary Terms

Created by CB

Prokaryote
Single called organism WITHOUT a membrane-bound nucleus or membrane-bound organelles

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TermDefinition
Prokaryote
Single called organism WITHOUT a membrane-bound nucleus or membrane-bound organelles
Eukaryote
An organism WITH a membrane-bound nucleus and specialise organelles
Organelle
A specialised structure inside a cell that performs a specific function
Semi-permeable
A BARRIER that allows SOME molecules to pass while BLOCKING OTHERS
Hydrophobic
REPELLED by water; does NOT mix or dissolve in water
Hydrophilic
ATTRACTED to water; mixes or dissolves easily in water
Passive transport
MOVEMENT of SUBSTANCE across a MEMBRANE WITHOUT ENERGY input
Facilitated transport
PASSIVE TRANSPORT of MOLECULES through a MEMBRANE via channel or carrier PROTEINS
Active transport
Movement of substances using ATP energy against the concentration gradient
Osmosis
Diffusion of water across a semi-permeable membrane
Diffusion
MOVEMENT of PARTICLES from HIGH to LOW concentration
Concentration gradient
A DIFFERENCE in CONCENTRATION across a MEMBRANE
Hypotonic
A SOLUTION with LOWER SOLUTE concentration THAN THE CELL
Cytosis
BULK transport of LARGE particles across the MEMBRANE materials OUT of the CELL
Endocytosis
The CELL TAKES IN materials into a vesicle to bring them inside
Surface Area
The TOTAL OUTER AREA of a cell or object
Volume
The AMOUNT OF SPACE inside a cell or object
Photolysis
The SPLITTING of WATER using LIGHT ENERGY during photosynthesis
Carbon fixation
The process of CONVERTING INORGANIC CO2 INTO ORGANIC molecules in photosynthesis
Respiration
the process of BREAKING DOWN GLUCOSE to release usable energy (ATP)
Photosynthesis
The process where PLANTS CONVERT LIGHT ENERGY to CHEMICAL ENERGY (glucose)
Aerobic
Requires oxygen to produce ATP
Anaerobic
Occurs without oxygen; produces less ATP
Enzyme
A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions
Substrate
The molecule an enzyme acts on
Optimal
The conditions where an enzyme works at its fastest rate
Denature
When an enzyme loses it’s shape and can no longer function
Unicellular
An organism made of one cell
Multicellular
An organism made of many specialised cells
Colonial Organisms
groups of identical cells living together; each can survive independently
Specialisation
When cells develop specific structures and functions
Undifferentiated
Cells that have not yet specialised
Differentiated
Cells that have developed specialised functions
Autotroph
An organism that makes its own food (plants)
Heterotroph
An organism that must consume other organisms for energy (humans)
Xylem
Plant tissue that transports water and minerals upward from roots
Phloem
Plant tissue that transports sugars and nutrients around the plant