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Core Biology
46 cards·by olimyers1919
What are pathogens?
microorganisms that cause disease
How do bacteria make us feel ill once inside the body?
they multiply rapidly and release toxins
Give an example of a disease caused by bacteria.
food poisoning/cholera/gonorrhoea
Where do viruses have to be in order to reproduce?
inside a host cell
How do viruses make us feel ill once inside host cells?
they multiply, fill the host cell, burst it open and enter the bloodstream
Give an example of a disease caused by viruses.
influenza/colds/AIDS
Antibodies and antitoxins are not living things. What are they?
specialised proteins
What is the function of phagocytes?
they pass into the tissue surrounding blood vessels, then either ingest pathogens or release
enzymes to destroy them
What is the function of lymphocytes?
they each carry an antibody that binds to the antigen of a pathogen and destroys it
Why are vaccine 'boosters' sometimes needed?
the immune response 'memory' weakens over time
What are antibiotics?
substances that kill bacteria
What was the first antibiotic?
penicillin
Why are antibiotics not used against virusus?
the body cells which they inhabit may be damaged
Why do some bacterial strains develop a resistance to antibiotics?
natural selection
What are fats needed for?
insulation
What are proteins needed for?
growth and repair
What is metabolic rate?
the speed at which respiration takes place
What can be caused by a lack of food?
deficiency diseases
What can be caused by too much food?
obesity
What organ produces cholesterol?
the liver
What is cholesterol needed for?
healthy cell membranes
What is caused by having too much cholesterol?
an increased risk of heart disease
What is the function of LDLs?
carry cholesterol from the liver to the cells
What is the function of HDLs?
carry excess cholesterol back to the liver
What can happen as a result of too high a salt intake?
high blood pressure, so heart disease/strokes
What effect do drugs have on the body?
change the chemical processes
What effect does the carbon monoxide from tobacco have on the body?
combines with the haemoglobin in red blood cells, reducing their ability to carry oxygen
What is the alcohol in alcoholic drinks?
ethanol
What is homeostasis?
the maintenance of a constant internal environment
What are the changes in environment detected by receptors?
stimuli
What does the CNS consist of?
brain and spinal chord
What is an effector?
any part of the body that produces the response
Where do sensory neurones carry signals from?
receptors to the CNS
Where do relay neurones carry signals from?
one part of the CNS to another
Where do motor neurones carry signals from?
the CNS to effectors
What is the gap where two neurones meet?
synapse
Why do individuals of the same species show variation?
difference in genes
What is the main problem with the fossil record?
it contains gaps
What is the effect of smoke on the environment?
deposits soot on buildings and trees, causing them damage
What is biodiversity?
the variation of species
What is sustainable development?
improving our quality of life without damaging the quality of life of future generations
What is an ecosystem?
a community and its habitat
What is a community?
all the populations of different organisms that live together in a habitat
What does a small surface area to volume ratio do?
minimises heat loss
What is a gene?
a section of DNA that carries the code for a particular protein
How many chromosomes do human cells contain?
46