BIOL 2120 - Cell Structure and Function: Cell Adhesion and Cell Motility

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cell structure and function, particularly focusing on cell motility and adhesion.

Flagella

Long terminal filaments that cause undulatory movement.

Cilia

Shorter, often more numerous filaments that drive swimming movement.

Axoneme

Structure composed of 9 doublet microtubules arranged around a central pair, involved in the movement of flagella and cilia.

Dynein motor activity

Protein activity that drives the movement of cilia and flagella by sliding microtubules.

Basal bodies

Structures that anchor flagella and cilia at their base, virtually identical to centrioles.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

Meshwork of secreted proteins and polysaccharides that form a solid substrate for cell adhesion or movement.

Cell-cell adhesion

Type of adhesion predominant in epithelial tissues, providing resistance to mechanical stress.

Protrusion

The process of a cell extending its plasma membrane in the direction of migration.

Traction

The movement of the main cell volume forward during migration.

Filopodia

Single spikes extending from the plasma membrane that are involved in cell protrusion.

Lamellipodia

Broad, flat extensions of the plasma membrane involved in cell movement.

Myosin II

A motor protein involved in the contraction that drives traction during cell migration.