Endoplasmic Reticulum Structure and Function

Flashcards covering key concepts about the structure and function of the endoplasmic reticulum, vesicle transport, energy conversion, cell communication, the cytoskeleton, the cell cycle, and apoptosis.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A labyrinth of sacs and tubules that is continuous with the nucleus.

Rough ER

A type of endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached to its surface.

Smooth ER

A type of endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes.

Signal Recognition Particle (SRP)

A protein that binds to the ER peptide and delivers the ribosome to the protein translocator.

Start Transfer Sequence

A signal sequence that binds to the ER translocator and initiates peptide transfer from the ribosome to the ER.

Stop Transfer Sequence

A signal sequence that binds to the ER translocator to terminate the peptide transfer, resulting in a transmembrane protein.

Transmembrane Proteins

Proteins that are embedded in the ER membrane.

Free Proteins

Proteins that exist in the ER lumen.

Vesicle Transport

The process of transporting materials between topologically equivalent spaces.

Clathrin Coated Vesicles

Vesicles that form with clathrin subunits, adaptin, cargo receptors, and dynamin.

COPII-coated Vesicles

Vesicles that transport materials from the ER to the Golgi apparatus.

Rab GTPase

A protein responsible for ensuring specificity between the vesicle and target during vesicle transport.

SNARE Proteins

Molecules that facilitate the fusion of vesicles with their target membranes.

Cyclic Photophosphorylation

A process used by photosynthetic eukaryotes that does not require water.

Linear Photophosphorylation

A process that requires water and is used by higher plants and cyanobacteria.

cAMP

A common secondary messenger in cellular signaling.

Caspase

A protease that plays a crucial role in apoptosis by cutting target proteins.

Fas Extrinsic Pathway

Pathway initiated when the Fas ligand binds to the Fas receptor on a cell, activating apoptosis.

Apoptosome

A complex formed during apoptosis that activates the caspase cascade.

Bcl2 Proteins

Proteins that mediate the interactions between extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis.