Introduction to Cell Structure and Cancer Biology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards identifying key cellular components, transport mechanisms, organelle functions, and signaling types from Chapter 1 to Chapter 7.

Cytosol

The liquid or fluid component of the cytoplasm located inside the plasma membrane.

Endomembrane system

The interior network of membranes that uniquely characterizes all eukaryotic cells.

Amphipathic

Describing a molecule, such as a phospholipid, that possesses both polar (hydrophilic) and nonpolar (hydrophobic) regions.

Saturated hydrocarbon

A hydrocarbon chain containing only carbon-carbon single bonds, leading to a streamlined shape that packs closely together to make membranes more solid and less permeable.

Unsaturated hydrocarbon

A hydrocarbon chain containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, which introduce bends or kinks that prevent tight packing and increase membrane permeability.

Lipid rafts

Membrane regions where specific lipid and protein molecules congregate together laterally to carry out localized cellular functions.

Transporters

Membrane-bound proteins that create pathways allowing large or charged molecules to cross the plasma membrane.

Anchors

Membrane proteins that physically attach the cell to the intracellular matrix or extracellular matrix.

Receptors

Membrane proteins that bind to extracellular signaling molecules and trigger internal chemical changes within the cytoplasm.

GLUT1 transporter

A specific membrane transport protein responsible for bringing glucose into the cell, which is often overexpressed in cancer cells.

Nucleolus

A dense, non-membrane-bound site within the nucleus where ribosomal RNA is transcribed and ribosomes are assembled.

Nuclear lamina

A protein mesh network coating the interior edge of the nuclear envelope that anchors structural DNA.

Nuclear pores

Large protein structures spanning the nuclear envelope that serve as gateways tightly regulating molecular entry and exit.

Nuclear import signal

A specific molecular tag or key required for a protein or molecule to gain entry into the nucleus through a nuclear pore.

Nuclear export signal

A specific molecular tag or key required for a protein or molecule to exit the nucleus through a nuclear pore.

Ribosomes

Protein-building cellular factories composed of RNA and protein that perform translation in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Signal peptide

A sequence within the first 30 or so amino acids of a growing protein that directs the ribosome to attach to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Free ribosomes

Unattached ribosomes floating in the cytosol that synthesize proteins meant to function inside the cell or cytosol.

Bound ribosomes

Ribosomes attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum that synthesize proteins destined for secretion, membrane insertion, or cellular vesicles.

Golgi apparatus

A stacked set of membrane-bound structures where proteins undergo enzymatic modifications, such as the addition of sugars or lipids, before transport.

Cis face of the Golgi

The receiving side of the Golgi apparatus located closest to the nucleus.

Trans face of the Golgi

The shipping side of the Golgi apparatus located closest to the plasma membrane.

Vesicular trafficking

The transport of proteins and lipids between cellular organelles using small lipid-bilayer bubbles called vesicles.

Endocrine signaling

Long-distance cell signaling where messenger molecules travel through the bloodstream from the signaling cell to distant target cells.

Paracrine signaling

Short-distance cell signaling occurring across local tissue regions (e.g., 10 to 50 cell diameters away) primarily via simple diffusion.

Neuronal signaling

Intercellular communication between adjacent cells where chemical signals travel across a specialized gap called a synapse.

Contact-dependent signaling

A signaling mechanism requiring direct physical contact between a cell-bound signal molecule and a receptor on an adjacent target cell.

Competent cell

A cell that possesses the specific receptor protein necessary to bind to and perceive a given extracellular signaling molecule.

Actin filaments

The thinnest, smallest protein structures comprising the cellular cytoskeleton.

Microtubules

The largest and thickest cytoskeletal structures that form the spindle apparatus needed to separate chromosomes during cell division.