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52 cardsMedical Entrance Exam (University of Iceland)

Medical Entrance Biology Key Facts

52 flashcards on cell biology, molecular genetics, biochemistry, organ physiology, and immunology for the Icelandic medical entrance examination (Inntökupróf í læknisfræði).

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Powerhouse of the cell

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Powerhouse of the cell

Mitochondrion

Organelle that modifies and packages proteins

Golgi apparatus

Organelle with digestive enzymes

Lysosome

Molecule that carries amino acids to the ribosome

Transfer RNA

Enzyme that makes RNA from a DNA template

RNA polymerase

Enzyme that unwinds DNA in replication

Helicase

Enzyme that joins Okazaki fragments

DNA ligase

Phase of the cell cycle with DNA replication

S phase

Stage of mitosis when chromosomes line up at the equator

Metaphase

Offspring of two carriers of a recessive disease affected

One quarter

Chromosomal cause of Down syndrome

Trisomy 21

Technique that amplifies DNA

Polymerase chain reaction

Natural pacemaker of the heart

Sinoatrial node

Valve between left atrium and left ventricle

Mitral valve

Hormone that raises blood pressure by sodium retention

Aldosterone

Hormone that increases water reabsorption in the collecting duct

Antidiuretic hormone

Cells that make antibodies

Plasma cells

First antibody class in a primary response

IgM

Anaphylaxis is hypersensitivity type

Type I

Hormone that lowers blood glucose

Insulin

Part of the nephron that filters blood

Glomerulus

Site of most glucose reabsorption

Proximal convoluted tubule

Neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter lost in Parkinson disease

Dopamine

Enzyme in saliva that digests starch

Amylase

Enzyme that digests protein in the stomach

Pepsin

Main site of nutrient absorption

Small intestine

Net ATP gain from glycolysis

2 ATP

Site of the Krebs cycle

Mitochondrial matrix

Enzyme that fixes carbon dioxide in the Calvin cycle

Rubisco

Rough vs Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Rough ER has ribosomes and synthesises membrane/secretory proteins; Smooth ER synthesises lipids, metabolises carbohydrates, and detoxifies chemicals.

Function of the nucleolus

Dense sub-nuclear region responsible for transcribing ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and assembling ribosome subunits.

Fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane

Phospholipid bilayer with hydrophilic heads facing aqueous environments and hydrophobic tails facing inwards, studded with embedded proteins and cholesterol.

Active transport vs facilitated diffusion

Facilitated diffusion moves substances down concentration gradients without ATP via channels/carriers; active transport pumps substances against gradients using ATP hydrolysis.

Glycolysis cellular location and net energy yield

Occurs in the cytoplasm; converts 1 glucose into 2 pyruvate, yielding a net of 2 ATP and 2 NADH without requiring oxygen.

Krebs cycle (Citric Acid Cycle) cellular location

Occurs in the mitochondrial matrix; oxidises acetyl-CoA to CO2, generating NADH, FADH2, and ATP/GTP.

Oxidative phosphorylation and ATP synthase location

Inner mitochondrial membrane (cristae); proton gradient drives ATP synthesis via chemiosmosis.

Competitive vs non-competitive enzyme inhibition

Competitive inhibitors bind directly to the active site and can be overcome by increasing substrate (Km increases, Vmax unchanged); non-competitive bind to allosteric sites (Vmax reduced, Km unchanged).

Functional filtration unit of the human kidney

The nephron, comprising the glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct.

Function of the loop of Henle in the kidney

Creates a hypertonic medullary osmotic gradient via countercurrent multiplication, enabling water reabsorption and urine concentration.

Hormone controlling kidney water reabsorption

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH / vasopressin) secreted by the posterior pituitary; increases aquaporin water channels in collecting duct cells.

Principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the human CNS

Glutamate, which depolarises postsynaptic neurons via AMPA and NMDA receptor activation.

Principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human brain

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which hyperpolarises postsynaptic membranes via chloride channel opening.

Resting membrane potential of a typical human neuron

Approximately -70 mV, established primarily by K+ leak channels and the electrogenic Na+/K+ ATPase pump (3 Na+ out, 2 K+ in).

Depolarisation phase of the neuronal action potential

Triggered when threshold (-55 mV) is reached, causing rapid opening of voltage-gated Na+ channels and massive Na+ influx into the axon.

Repolarisation phase of the neuronal action potential

Inactivation of voltage-gated Na+ channels and opening of voltage-gated K+ channels, causing rapid K+ efflux from the neuron.

Endocrine hormone secreted by pancreatic beta cells

Insulin, which lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in liver and muscle.

Endocrine hormone secreted by pancreatic alpha cells

Glucagon, which elevates blood glucose by stimulating hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.

Adaptive immunity: B lymphocytes vs T lymphocytes

B cells differentiate into plasma cells secreting antibodies (humoral immunity); T cells provide cell-mediated immunity (cytotoxic CD8+ kill infected cells, helper CD4+ coordinate responses).

Most abundant immunoglobulin class in human serum

IgG, which mediates secondary immune responses, neutralises pathogens, opsonises antigens, and crosses the placenta.

Primary anatomical site of pulmonary gas exchange

Alveoli, lined by thin type I pneumocytes adjacent to pulmonary capillaries for rapid diffusion of O2 and CO2.

Organ of origin and target of erythropoietin (EPO)

Produced primarily by peritubular interstitial cells of the kidneys in response to hypoxia; acts on red bone marrow to stimulate erythropoiesis.

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