Unit 1 and Unit 2 Vocabulary

Front

What are enzymes?

Back

Proteins that act as biological catalysts by speeding up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.

Front

How do vaccines work?

Back

Vaccines protect us from diseases by introducing weakened or dead pathogens to stimulate an immune response.

Front

What is the function of mitochondria?

Back

Mitochondria are cell organelles that convert the chemical energy stored in sugar into ATP chemical energy.

Front

What is the primary purpose of glycoproteins on the surface of a virus?

Back

To attach/bind to specific receptors on host cells and allow targeted infection.

Front

What is the function of nucleic acids?

Back

Nucleic acids store genetic information.

Front

What are substrates in the context of enzymes?

Back

Substrates are the reactants that enzymes act upon in a chemical reaction.

Front

What is the role of lipids in biological systems?

Back

Lipids serve as energy storage molecules, structural components of cell membranes, and signaling molecules.

Front

What is ATP?

Back

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy carrier in cells.

Front

What is the immune response?

Back

The immune response is the body's defense mechanism against pathogens, involving the activation of immune cells and the production of antibodies.

Front

What are pathogens?

Back

Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.