Life Processes:

Cell Structures:
-

Characteristics of
Living Things:

cell
-

The

Movement
Respiration
Stimuli
Homeostasi
s
Growth
Reproductio
n
Excretion
Nutrition

Animal cells have a nucleus, cell membrane,

cytoplasm, mitochondria
Plant cells have a nucleus, cell membrane,
wall, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, mitochondria,
large sap vacuole
nucleus stores the genetic data, Chromosomes
Cell membrane allows substances to pass
through
Cytoplasm gives a cell its shape and allows
substances to pass
Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell,
provides energy
Chloroplasts in plant cells contains chlorophyll
which provide photosynthesis
Large sap vacuoles in plants help support the

plant cells
Cell walls in plants provide structural support and protection
Levels of Organization in an organism:
o Organelles Cells Tissues Organs Organ Systems

Enzymes:
-

Enzymes are biological catalysts and speed up and/or control reactions,

which can be affected by temperature and pH levels
Enzymes are proteins and therefore can be denatured (NOT killed!!!)
On the protein, there is an active site, where the substrate attaches and is
broken up
The shape of the active site depends on the pH and temperature

Cellular Respiration:
-

Aerobic Respiration:
o 6O2 + C6H12O6 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy (Remember: 6, 6, 6 for
balanced equation)
o Oxygen + Glucose Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy
Anaerobic Respiration:
o C6H12O6 2C3H6O3
o Glucose Lactic Acid

Movement of Substances:
-

Substances can move into and out of cells by diffusion, osmosis (diffusion
specific for water) and active transport and this is affected by concentration,
temperature and surface area
Diffusion is the net movement of particles from an area of high
concentration to an area of lower concentration.
o Randomly caused

o Is passive and therefore doesnt require energy

Osmosis is a special kind of diffusion, where it only happens through a
partially permeable membrane
Active transport is when substances are moved against the concentration
gradient (which is high to low) or through a selectively permeable
membrane and it uses energy
Variety of Organisms:

Major Groups: Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protoctists, Bacteria and Viruses

-

Plants and humans are always multicellular

o Plants carry out photosynthesis
o Animals eat other living things to obtain their energy
Fungi can either be unicellular or multicellular
o They absorb food from other living things
Protoctists are mostly microscopic and single celled
Bacteria are microscopic single-celled organisms.
o They are smaller than Protoctists
Viruses are non-living parasites that reproduces inside other living cells
o They are smaller than Bacteria
Bacteria, Viruses, Protoctists and Fungi can be pathogens and cause disease

Plants:
-

Photosynthesis through Carbon Dioxide and Water to make Sugar and

Oxygen
o Captured through the sun with their chlorophyll in their chloroplasts
Chloroplasts store carbohydrates such as starch
Plant cell walls are made out of cellulose

Animals:
-

Doesnt contain chlorophyll

Animal cells dont have a cell wall
Most animals have a nervous system for co-ordination
Glycogen, a carbohydrate, is stored in animal cells

Fungi:
-

Fungi are saprophytes or parasites

Some are multicellular
o E.g. Mushrooms and molds
Some are unicellular
o E.g. yeast
Fungal cell walls are made of chitin
Multicellular fungi are made of mycelium, which is a network of structures
called hyphae
Fungi make enzymes and digest their food outside of their cells
Many fungi act as decomposers

Protoctists:

Some Protoctists make their own food via photosynthesis such as algae and
others feed on other organisms
Some Protoctists are tiny, but others can be very large

Bacteria:
-

Tiny, single celled

Common shapes:
o Spheres singles, pairs, chains or groups
o Rods singles, chains, with or without flagella
o Spirals
Complex cell wall made of polysaccharides and proteins.
Bacteria DO NOT have a nucleus
They contain small circles of DNA called plasmids
Some can photosynthesis because they contain chlorophyll
Most bacteria feed on dead or living things
Some bacteria have slime capsules for protection or flagella (little tails) for
movement

Prokaryotes:
-

Single celled organisms that have no nucleus

Most are bacteria but also include archaea

Viruses:
-

All are parasites and all natural viruses cause disease

Can only reproduce inside the cells of the host
Very simple and are found in multiple geometric shapes
o Core of genetic material surrounded by protein coat
Viruses either contain RNA or DNA

Breathing and Gas Exchange

-

The respiratory system takes air into and out of the body to supply oxygen
and get rid of carbon dioxide from the body
The movement of air from and to the lungs creates a steep concentration
gradient for the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide
The complete respiratory system includes
o Ribs
o Intercostal Muscles (Internal and External)
o Diaphragm
o Trachea
o Bronchi
o Bronchioles
o Alveoli
o Pleural Membranes of the Thorax
The alveoli have specific adaptions for efficient gas exchange

Structure of the Respiratory System:

-

Nasal Passages Warm, clean and adds moisture to entering air

Epiglottis Stops food entering the lungs
Esophagus Carries food to stomach
Larynx voice box
Trachea tube with C like cartilage rings and is lined with cells making
mucus and cilia cells
Left Bronchus carries air to lungs
Bronchioles carries air to lungs
Alveoli tiny sacs which allow diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Diaphragm Sheet of domed muscle which helps with breathing
Ribs Bones that protect the lungs
Internal Intercostal muscles Pulls ribs down and in when you breathe out
External Intercostal muscles Pulls rubs up and out when you breathe in
Pleural Membranes Thin, moist membranes that form an airtight seal
around the lungs
Pleural Fluid Fills the pleural cavity and acts as lube so lungs dont stick to
chest

Ventilation of the lungs:

-

There is more oxygen and less carbon dioxide in the air of the lungs than in
the blood
The movements of the ribs and diaphragm brings changes in the volume and
pressure in the chest cavity

Inhalation:
-

Air enters lungs

Volume of chest cavity expands and pressure in lungs is lower than outside
Diaphragm contracts diaphragm flattens
External intercostal muscles contract thus pulling ribs up and out and internal
intercostal muscles relax

Exhalation:
-

Air is pushed out of lungs

Volume of chest cavity decreases and pressure in lungs is higher than outside
Diaphragm relaxes diaphragm becomes dome shaped
Internal intercostal muscles contract thus pulling the ribs down and in and the
external intercostal muscles relax

Alveoli:
-

Blood is pumped to the lungs

Blood passes through the network of capillaries around the alveoli
Carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the air
Oxygen diffuses into the blood from the air
Oxygenated blood is pumped throughout the body
Gas Exchange in the Alveoli:
o There are adaptions that make the alveoli good at its job
The alveoli has a large surface area for more diffusion
A rich blood supply to easily carry oxygen away and bring
carbon dioxide
Also creates a constant steep concentration gradient
between alveoli and blood
Short diffusion distances