Physio Week 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering key topics in cellular components, cellular transport, biomolecules, metabolism, and genetic expression.

Cytoplasm

The entire contents of a cell between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope, including the organelles and cytosol.

Cytosol

The fluid portion of the cytoplasm (excluding organelles) where many metabolic reactions occur.

Extracellular fluid

Fluid found outside of cells (e.g., interstitial fluid, plasma).

Intracellular fluid

Fluid found inside the cells; also known as cytosol.

Phospholipids

A type of lipid that forms the bilayer of cell membranes, having a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails.

Glycolipids

Lipids with a carbohydrate attached; they maintain membrane stability and facilitate cell-to-cell recognition.

Hydrophilic

"Water-loving"; molecules that are attracted to and can dissolve in water.

Hydrophobic

"Water-fearing"; molecules that repel water and do not dissolve in it.

Lipid-soluble

Capable of dissolving in fats or lipids; can usually pass through the cell membrane easily.

Water-soluble

Capable of dissolving in water; often requires transport proteins to enter a cell.

Microfilaments

Thin, rod-like protein structures (actin) that help with cell movement and support.

Microtubules

Hollow protein tubes that maintain cell shape and act as "tracks" for organelle movement.

Vacuole

A membrane-bound sac used for storage of water, nutrients, or waste.

Endocytosis

The process by which a cell takes in materials by engulfing them in a vesicle.

Exocytosis

The process by which a cell releases materials to the outside by fusing a vesicle with the plasma membrane.

Phagocytosis

A specific type of endocytosis ("cell eating") where a cell engulfs large particles or whole cells.

Osmolality

A measure of the concentration of solutes in a fluid.

Isotonic

A solution with the same solute concentration as the inside of a cell; no net water movement occurs.

Hypertonic

A solution with a higher solute concentration than the inside of a cell; causes the cell to shrink as water leaves.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars (e.g., glucose) that serve as the basic building blocks of carbohydrates.

Disaccharides

Sugars formed by two monosaccharides (e.g., sucrose).

Polysaccharides

Long chains of monosaccharides (e.g., starch, glycogen).

Starch

A polysaccharide used by plants to store energy.

Glycogen

A polysaccharide used by animals to store energy in the liver and muscles.

Cellulose

A structural polysaccharide that makes up plant cell walls.

Fatty acids

Long hydrocarbon chains that are the building blocks of most lipids.

Triglycerides

A lipid made of one glycerol and three fatty acids; the primary form of energy storage in the body.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within an organism to maintain life.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells break down glucose and other nutrients to produce ATP (energy).

Potential energy

Stored energy based on an object's position or chemical structure.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA (specifically mRNA).

Translation

The process by which a ribosome decodes mRNA to build a specific protein (amino acid chain).

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid.

Anticodon

A sequence of three nucleotides on tRNA that pairs with a complementary codon on mRNA.

Tissue

A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function.

Organ

A structure made of different types of tissues working together for a common purpose.