Cell Membranes, Transport, and Energy Processes

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in cell membranes, transport mechanisms, energy processes, and photosynthesis.

Cell Membrane

A structure that covers and protects a cell, controlling what enters and leaves.

Phospholipid

A molecule made up of a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails, forming the basic structure of cell membranes.

Integral Protein

A type of membrane protein that is embedded in the cell membrane and cannot be easily removed.

Peripheral Protein

A membrane protein that is loosely attached to the membrane's surface and can be easily removed.

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model that describes the cell membrane as a flexible layer of lipids with proteins embedded, allowing movement and fluidity.

Passive Transport

The movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy, following the concentration gradient.

Diffusion

The process by which particles spread from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Facilitated Diffusion

A type of passive transport that uses proteins to help move substances across the membrane.

Active Transport

The movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy input.

Endocytosis

The process by which a cell engulfs materials from the outside, forming a bubble around them.

Exocytosis

The process of expelling substances from a cell by merging a vesicle with the cell membrane.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of an object in motion.

Potential Energy

Stored energy that has the potential to do work.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

A molecule that stores and releases energy for cellular processes.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Metabolism

The total of all chemical reactions that occur within a cell.

Glycolysis

The process of breaking down glucose to extract energy, yielding ATP and NADH.

Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes in the cell membrane that transfer electrons, ultimately generating ATP.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen.

Light-Dependent Reactions

Reactions in photosynthesis that convert solar energy into chemical energy (ATP and NADPH) using sunlight.

Calvin Cycle

The set of chemical reactions that take place in chloroplasts during photosynthesis, converting carbon dioxide into glucose.

Photorespiration

A process that occurs when plants take up oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, usually under hot and dry conditions, leading to decreased sugar production.