All Relevant Vocabulary

From every lecture outline

Organelle

Any of several membrane-enclosed structures with specialized functions, suspended in the cytosol of eukaryotic cells

Cell

Life’s fundamental unit of structure and function; the smallest unit of organization that can perform all activities required for life

Tissue

An integrated group of cells with a common structure, function, or both

Organ

A specialized center of body function composed of several different types of tissues

Organ system

A group of organs that work together in performing vital body functions.

Organism

An individual living thing, consisting of one or more cells

Population

A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and interbreed, producing fertile offspring

Community

All the organisms that inhabit a particular area; an assemblage of populations of different speciees living close enough together for potential interaction

Ecosystem

All the organisms in a given area as well as the abiotic factors with which they interact; one or more communities and the physical environment around them

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A nucleic acid molecule

Metabolism

The totality of an organism’s chemical reactions, consisting of catabolic and anabolic pathways, which manage the material and energy resources of the organism

Homeostasis

the steady-state physiological condition of the body

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem

Nucleus

1. an atom’s central core, containing protons and neutrons
2. the organelle of a eukaryotic cell that contains the genetic material in the form of chromosomes, made up of chromatin.
3. A cluster of neurons

Kingdom

A taxonomic category, the second broadest after domain

Domain

A taxonomic category above the kingdom level

Covalent bond

Involves sharing of electron (e-) pairs between atoms

Nonpolar covalent bond

Atoms share electrons equally

Polar covalent bond

Atoms don’t share electrons equally

Hydrogen bond

A weak attraction of partial charges

Hydrocarbon

Molecules that consist only of Hydrogen and Carbon. __Nonpolar → very hydrophobic__

Functional group

Bond to hydrocarbons to make them more versatile

Polar

Water soluble

Nonpolar

Water insoluble

Macromolecule

A giant molecule containing a many small subunit molecules

Monomer

A single subunit of any macromolecule, serves as the building block of a polymer

Dimer

Two monomers together

Polymer

A long molecule consisting of many similar or identical monomers linked together by covalent bonds

dehydration synthesis

monomer in, water (H2O) out to form a polymer

Hydrolysis

monomer out, water (H2O) in to break down a polymer. Hydrolytic enzymes needed

enzyme

Speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction

Carbohydrate

Sugar molecules

Monosaccharide

Monomer of carbohydrates. Mono= simple, saccharide= sugar

Disaccharide

Broken down for quick energy. Dimer of carbohydrate. Di= two, saccharide= sugar

Oligosaccharide

A couple (3-10) monosaccharides

Cellulose

Function: Structural

Found: Plant cell walls

Glycogen

Function: Energy storage in __animals__

Where found: stored in liver and muscle cells

Starch

Function: Energy storage in __plants__

Where found: In plant organs

Chitin

Function: Structural

Where found: Fungi cell walls

Glucose

For cellular respiration: Fuel to make ATP. 6-sided ring structure

Amino acid

Monomer of proteins

Protein

Tools of the cell. Composed of an amino group, __**R group**__, Hydrogen, and a carboxyl group all attached to a central carbon.

Polypeptide

A polymer of many amino acids linked together by peptide bonds

Peptide bond

The covalent bond between the carboxyl group on one amino acid and the amino group on another, formed by a dehydration reaction

Hydrophobic

Water-fearing

Hydrophilic

Water-loving

Reactant

A starting material in a chemical reaction

Product

A material resulting from a chemical reaction

Active site

Location where the substrate binds

Denaturation

What occurs when enzymes are not at their optimal condition. They can no longer function

Conformation

The three-dimensional arrangement of side groups on a molecule which can freely rotate into different positions without breaking any bonds

Lipid

Hydrophobic molecules with many functions:

* Hormones
* Good energy source (lots of covalent bonds)
* Major component of cell membranes

Triglycerides

Fats and oils. Composed of a glycerol (3-carbon) backbone and hydrocarbon tails. Built by 3 dehydration synthesis reactions

Phospholipids

Components of cell membranes. Composed of a __glycerol__ backbone, a hydrophilic __phosphate__ head, and 2 hydrophobic __fatty acid__ tails.

Amphipathic

A molecule that is both hydrophobic and hydrophilic

Micelle

A droplet of phospholipids that form when in water

Lipoprotein

Particles made of lipids and proteins that carry cholesterol through the bloodstream

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

“good” cholesterol, picks up excess cholesterol from cells → delivers to liver for disposal/recycling

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

“Bad” cholesterol, carries cholesterol from liver to cells. Sticky and buildup causes plaques

Sterol (Steroid)

Four ring structure.

Apoprotein

Proteins in lipoprotein structuers.

Saturated fat

A fatty acid in which there are the maximum number of hydrogens due to there only being a __single bond__.

* Pack tightly, solid at room temp
* Increase levels of HDL and LDL in blood → net negative effect

Unsaturated fat

Hydocarbon fatty acid tails are __double bonded__.

* Loosely packed; liquid at room temp.
* Decrease LDL, raise HDL

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Broken down to create a source of energy for processes needing energy and a source of energy for storage.

pH

A measure of how acidic/basic (alkaline) the water is. A measure of the relative amount of free H+ and OH- in water.

Acidic

More free H+, a pH less than 7

Basic/Alkaline

More free OH-, pH greater than 7

Transmembrane protein

A type of integral protein that spans the entire membrane. Can receive and transmit signals from the cell outside to the inside and vice versa.

Peripheral membrane protein

Allows cells to coordinate and communicate using networks of proteins and reactions

Glycoprotein

A carbohydrate group attached to a protein (polypeptide chain).

Passive transport

The diffusion of a substance across a biological membrane with no expenditure of energy.

Diffusion

The movement of individual molecules of a substance through a semipermeable barrier from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration

Concentration gradient

A region along which the density of a chemical substance increases or decreases.

Simple diffusion

A type of passive transport in which no proteins or ATP are needed

Facilitated diffusion

Movement aided (facilitated) by proteins down the concentration gradient

Channel proteins

Pore-forming transmembrane proteins. Make a channel through the membrane. Many channels open and close in response to specific signals.

Carrier proteins

Change shape *during* transport

Osmosis

Passive transport of water. From hypotonic → hypertonic. Aquaporins needed for rapid water movement.

Aquaporins

Water channels that facilitate rapid water movement

Active transport

Movement against the concentration gradient. Low → high. Proteins and energy are needed. Example: Sodium/potassium pump.

Vesicular transport

Bulk transport of substances into and out of the cell by vesicles

Vesicle

Membrane-bound sac

Endocytosis

Bulk transport into the cell. Vesicle pinches around the molecule.

Exocytosis

Bulk transport out of the cell. Vesicle fuses w/ the membrane, and everything is spilled out to the outside of the cell.

Phagocytosis

Cell eating. Big “food” or other particle uses specialized cells to create a food vesicle, which is absorbed by the cell.

Pinocytosis

Cell drinking. Brings in whatever happens to be outside of the cell, such as ions and small molecules. NON-SELECTIVE

Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Very-selective, only brings in one type of molecule. Receptor-membrane proteins w/ binding cite that is specific for signal to bind.

Hypotonic

Higher concentration of H2O and thus lower concentration of solute

Hypertonic

Lower concentration of water and thus higher concentration of solute

Isotonic

Equal concentration of water and solute

Pump

Transmembrane proteins that actively move ions and/or solutes against a concentration gradient

Receptor

A molecule inside or on the surface of a cell that binds to a specific substance and causes a specific effect in the cell.

Plasma membrane

Boundary mediating interaction between inside and outside

Cytosol

The semifluid portion of the cytoplasm

Ribosome

Site of protein synthesis

Chromosome

DNA molecule with part or all of the genetic material of an organism

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Nucleic acid molecule that contains instructions (genes)

Nucleoid region

A membrane-less region in a prokaryotic cell where most, if not all, of the DNA in the cell is located

Flagella

An appendage that allows prokaryotes to move

Eubiosis

A healthy and balanced gut marked by high diversity and abundance of microbial populations