Vesicular Transport and Endocytosis Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing key concepts of bulk and vesicular transport across the cell membrane.

Endocytosis

The vesicular transport process responsible for moving large substances, such as bacteria or red blood cells, into the cell.

Exocytosis

The vesicular transport process responsible for moving large substances, such as neurotransmitters and hormones, out of the cell.

Transcytosis

A process where a substance enters a cell on one side via endocytosis, moves entirely across the cell, and exits through exocytosis on the opposite side.

Phagocytosis

A type of endocytosis that translates to "cell eating," where the plasma membrane reaches out to enclose solid particles into a vesicle or vacuole.

Pseudopods

Arm-like extensions of the plasma membrane that reach out to surround and enclose a particle during phagocytosis.

Pinocytosis

A type of endocytosis that translates to "cell drinking," where the cell membrane forms pockets to engulf extracellular fluid into a vesicle.

Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis

A type of endocytosis controlled by cell membrane receptors that bind to specific target molecules before pinching inward to form a vesicle.

Ligand

A specific chemical in the extracellular fluid that binds to a membrane receptor to initiate receptor-mediated endocytosis.