Cell Bio- module 1

Vocabulary for module 1 of cellular biology

Alpha Helix

A right-handed coil of amino acid residues on a polypeptide chain, typically ranging between 4 and 40 residues

Amphipathic

Having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts

Beta Barrel

Beta sheet composed of tandem repeats that twist and coils to form a closed toroidal structure

Cell Cortex

The structure comprising the plasma membrane and the underlying actomyosin network

Cholesterol

A compound of the sterol type found in most body tissues

Fatty acid

A carboxylic acid consisting of a hydrocarbon chain and a terminal carboxyl group especially any of those occuring as esters in fats and oils

Flip-flop

Slow movement of lipids or proteins from one leaflet (layer) of a cell membrane to the opposite leaflet

Flippases

Transmembrane lipid transporter proteins located in the cell membrane

Glycocalyx

highly-hydrated fibrous meshwork of carbohydrates that covers the membrane of cells

Glycolipids

Tightly bound components of the cell that are primarily found in the plasma membrane

Glycoprotein

Any of a class of proteins that have carbohydrate groups attached to the polypeptide chain (glycopeptide)

Hydrophilic

Having a tendency to mix with, dissolve in, o

Hydrophobic

Tending to repel or fail to mix with water

Inositol phospholipid

Plays a critical role in cellular signaling and membrane dynamics, particularly in the transport fo proteins and the formation of vesicles

Integral membrane protein

A type of protein that can partially penetrate the cell membrane or span across it

Lectin

any of a class of proteins, chiefly of plant origin, which bind specifically to certian sugars and so cause agglutination of particular cell types

Peripheral protein

Embedded on the membrane

Phospholipids

A lipid containing a phosphate group in its molecule

Porin

Any of a class of proteins that form water-filled channels across cell membranes

Proteoglycan

A compound consisting of a protein bonded to glycosaminoglycan groups, present especially in connective tissue

Saturated

Holding as much water or moisture as can be absorbed; thoroughly soaked

Scramblase

Protein responsible for the translocation of phospholipids between the two monolayers of a lipid bilayer of a cell membrane

Spectrin

Cytoskeletal protein that lines that intracellular side of the plasma membrane

Tight junction

Intracellular barrier between two neighboring cell membranes that creates a selectively permeable barrier

Unsaturated

Contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain