The Cellular Level of Organization

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the cellular level of organization in anatomy and physiology.

Cell Membrane

Separates the cell's internal environment from the external environment and regulates material movement in and out.

Phospholipids

Major structural component of the cell membrane, consisting of hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails arranged in a bilayer.

Selectively Permeable

A property of the cell membrane that allows certain molecules to pass while restricting others.

Endocytosis

A form of active transport where the cell membrane engulfs materials, forming a vesicle.

Exocytosis

The process of exporting materials out of the cell through vesicle fusion with the cell membrane.

Isotonic Solution

A solution where cell functions normally, with equal concentration of solutes inside and outside.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution that causes the cell to shrink due to water moving out of the cell.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution that causes the cell to swell and potentially burst due to water moving into the cell.

Glycoproteins

Proteins with carbohydrate molecules attached that aid in cell recognition.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A series of channels involved in synthesis, storage, and transportation; can be rough (with ribosomes) or smooth (without ribosomes).

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that modifies and sorts products from the rough ER for transport.

Mitochondria

Membranous organelles responsible for aerobic respiration and ATP production.

Cytoskeleton

A network of protein filaments that maintain cell structure and assist in cellular movement.

Transcription

The process of creating messenger RNA (mRNA) from a DNA template within the nucleus.

Translation

The process of creating protein from mRNA template, occurring in the cytoplasm.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into various cell types through the activation of specific genes.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces gametes, resulting in cells with half the genetic material.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells identical to the parent cell.