Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology

Flashcards covering key concepts related to cell biology and viruses from the lecture notes.

CELL

The structural unit of all living organisms.

GENOME

A dynamic information system that contains the genetic material of an organism.

DIVISION

The process by which cells arise from pre-existing cells.

CHEMICAL reactions

Processes occurring in compartments that are crucial for cell function.

AMINO acids

Organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins, which can be synthesized in the lab under early Earth mimicking conditions.

COMPLEX and ORGANIZED

Describing cells that contain numerous parts and are arranged in a systematic manner.

Eukaryotic Cells

Structurally more complex cells found in protists, fungi, plants, and animals.

Prokaryotic Cells

Structurally simpler cells, represented by bacteria and archaea.

Slime Molds

Eukaryotic single-cell organisms with unique characteristics, previously classified as fungi but now in the kingdom Protista.

Viruses

Infectious agents that are not considered alive as they can only function and reproduce within living cells.

VIRION

An inanimate particle composed of a small amount of DNA or RNA and a protein capsule called capsid.

Baltimore classification

A system that categorizes viruses based on their type of genome (RNA/DNA) and method of replication.

LYTIC Infection

A type of viral infection where production of virus particles ruptures and kills the host cell.

NARROW host range

Viruses that can infect only specific cell types.

WIDE host range

Viruses that can infect multiple cell types across different organisms.

Microcephaly

A condition where the head circumference is smaller than normal, often associated with developmental issues.

RNA vaccines

Vaccines that instruct cells to produce a fragment of a virus for immune response.

Provirus

Viral DNA inserted into the host genome, allowing the infected cell to survive, often with impaired function.