AS biology, topic 2 keywords

Topic 2: Genes and Health

Activation Energy - The least amount of energy required to activate atoms or molecules to a state in which they can undergo a chemical reaction.

Active site - The part of an enzyme that interacts with the substrate during catalysis

Active Transport - The movement of ions or molecules across a cellular membrane from a lower to a higher concentration, requiring the consumption of energy

Adenine - a purine base one of the fundamental components of nucleic acid, as the DNA, in which it forms a base pair with thymine, and RNA in which it pairs with uracil

Amine group - a nitrogen connected to hydrogen attached to a carbon chain

Amino acid - any of a class of organic compounds that contains at least one amino group, -NH₂, and one carboxyl group, -COOH

Amniocentesis - the surgical procedure for obtaining the sample of amniotic fluid from the amniotic SAC in the uterus of a pregnant women by inserting a hollow needle through the abdominal wall, used in diagnosing certain genetic defects or possible obstetric complications

Anticodon - a sequence of three nucleotides in a region of transfer RNA that recognises a complementary coding triple of nucleotides in messenger RNA during translation by the ribosome's in protein synthesis

Bilayer - a structure composed of two molecular layers, especially of phospholipids in cellular membranes

Carboxylic acid group - a carbon connected to an oxygen and hydroxide

Carrier Protein - a membrane protein that transports a specific solute across the cell membrane by binding to the solute on one side of the membrane and then releasing it on the other

Catalyst - a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected

Cell surface membrane - the outer covering the cell consisting of a lipid bilayer with proteins embedded in it

CFTR Channel Protein - The channel in which Cl^- is pumped into the cell across the basal membrane

Channel Protein - Protein forming an aqueous pore spanning the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane which when open allows certain solutes to traverse the membrane

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) - a prenatal test for detecting birth defects at an early stage of pregnancy, involving removal by needle of the fluid from the chorionic villus, and examination of the cells obtained

Chromosomes - A linear chain of genes

Cilia - minute hair like organelles identical in structure to flagella, that line the surfaces of certain cells and beat in rhythmic waves, providing locomotion to ciliate protozoan's and moving liquids along internal epithelial tissue in animals.

Codon - a triplet of adjacent nucleotides in the messenger RNA chain that codes for a specific amino acid in the synthesis of a protein molecule

Concentration gradient - the gradual difference in concentration of a dissolved substance in a solution between a region…