Cell Biology Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to cellular biology from the provided lecture notes.

Protease

An enzyme that breaks down proteins by hydrolyzing peptide bonds.

Zymogen

An inactive form of an enzyme that requires a biochemical change to become active.

Lysosome

An organelle that contains digestive enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris.

Aerobic respiration

The process of producing cellular energy in the presence of oxygen by fully oxidizing food.

Mitochondria

The organelle known as the powerhouse of the cell where aerobic respiration occurs.

Endosymbiotic theory

The theory that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as free-living bacteria that were engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells.

Cytoskeleton

A network of proteins that provide structural support to the cell.

Microtubules

Hollow tubes made of tubulin that support the cell shape and are involved in intracellular transport.

Microfilaments

Thin filaments made of actin that enable cell movement and change in shape.

Extracellular matrix

A network of proteins outside the cell that supports and anchors cells to their surroundings.

Collagen

A structural protein found in the extracellular matrix that provides strength and elasticity.

Integrin

A transmembrane protein that connects the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton inside the cell.

Cell wall

A rigid outer layer that provides support and protection to plant cells, primarily composed of cellulose.

Pectin

A polysaccharide that serves as a glue between layers of cellulose in plant cell walls.

Lignin

A complex organic polymer that provides additional strength and impermeability to wood.