PCAT Biology The Basis Of Life "Life Activities"
Terms
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- Metabolism
- The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in the body.
- catabolic reactions
- break down large chemicals and release energy
- anabolic reactions
- build up large chemicals and require energy
- Ingestion
- the acquisition of food and other raw materials
- Digestion
- the process of converting food into a usable soluble form so that it can pass through membranes in the digestive tract and enter the body
- Absorbtion
- the passage of nutrient molecules through the lining of the digestive tract into the body proper. Absorbed molecules pass through cells lining the digestive tract by diffusion or active transport
- Transport
- the circulation of essential compounds required to nourish the tissues and the removal of waste products from the tissues
- Assimilation
- the building up of new tissues from digested food materials
- Respiration
- The consumption of oxygen by the body. Cells use oxygen to convert glucose into ATP, a ready source of energy for cellular activities.
- Excretion
- the removal of waste products (such as carbon dioxide, water, and urea) produced during metabolic processes like respiration and assimilation.
- Synthesis
- the creation of complex molecules from simple ones (anabolism)
- Regulation
- the control of physiological activities. The body's metabolism functions to maintain its internal environment in a changing external environment. This is known as homeostasis and includes regulation by hormones and the nervous system. Irritability is the ability to respond toa stiumuls and is part of regulation.
- Growth
- an increase in size caused by a synthesis of new materials
- Photosynthesis
- the process by which plants covnert CO2 and H20 into carbohydrates. Sunligh is harnessed by cholorophyll to drive this reaction.
- Reproduction
- the generation of additional individuals of a species