Unit 1 - Cell Structures

Vocabulary flashcards covering biomolecules, cells, organelles, bacteria, and viruses.

Nucleus

The command and control center of the cell that directs cellular activities, growth, protein synthesis, and lipid production.

Chromatin

Long strands of DNA located inside the nucleus that store genetic information and serve as the cell's blueprint.

Nucleolus

A structure inside the nucleus that creates ribosomal RNA to make ribosomes.

Ribosomes

Structures composed of ribosomal RNA and proteins that manufacture proteins.

mRNA (Messenger RNA)

RNA that carries genetic instructions from the nucleus through nuclear pores to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.

Nuclear Envelope

The membrane surrounding the nucleus containing nuclear pores that regulate transport into and out of the nucleus.

Nuclear Pores

Holes on the nuclear envelope that allow materials, such as messenger RNA, to move into and out of the nucleus.

Rough ER (Endoplasmic Reticulum)

A region of the endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes that assists in the production of proteins.

Smooth ER (Endoplasmic Reticulum)

A region of the endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes that produces lipids, cholesterol, and hormones, and assists in breaking down toxins.

Golgi Body

An organelle that receives transport vesicles from the rough ER, modifies proteins by folding them or adding lipids and carbohydrates, and exports them out of the cell.

Transport Vesicle

A membrane-bound sac that encloses proteins to transport them from the rough ER to the Golgi body, and then to the cell membrane.

Mitochondria

An organelle containing its own separate DNA that performs cellular respiration to convert energy stored in fats and carbohydrates into ATP.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The energy molecule converted by the mitochondria from stored fats and carbohydrates during cellular respiration.

Lysosome

An organelle filled with digestive enzymes that breaks down food and destroys pathogens engulfed by white blood cells.

Phagocytosis

The process by which a white blood cell engulfs a pathogen so lysosomes can break it down.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like fluid within the cell containing dissolved solutes, salts, electrolytes, carbohydrates, lipids, free-floating ribosomes, and organelles.

Cytoskeleton

A network of three types of protein fibers that maintains cell shape and provides structural support.

Microtubules

The largest cytoskeleton fibers, made of tubulin, that provide structural support, cellular transportation services, and form centrioles, cilia, and flagella.

Microfilaments

The smallest cytoskeleton fibers, made of actin, that assist the cell in elongation, contraction, and movement.

Intermediate Filaments

Cytoskeleton fibers intermediate in size between microtubules and microfilaments that provide mechanical support to the cell.

Tubulin

The protein that forms microtubules.

Actin

The protein that forms microfilaments.

Centrioles

Structures active during cell division that form the mitotic spindle to pull apart chromosomes.

Chromosomes

Condensed versions of chromatin that form during cell division.

Flagella

A few long, whip-like structures made of microtubules that propel a cell forward.

Large Vacuole

A plant cell organelle that stores water, salts, and proteins while generating hydrostatic pressure for structural support.

Chloroplast

A plant cell organelle containing green chlorophyll that performs photosynthesis to turn sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen gas.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment in chloroplasts that plays a key role in photosynthesis.

Cell Wall

A structural outer layer present in plant cells, but absent in animal cells.

Cell Membrane

A phospholipid bilayer containing protein channels that surrounds the cell and regulates what enters and exits.

Selective Permeability

The characteristic of the cell membrane that allows specific substances to pass into the cell while blocking others.

Cell Features

Ribosomes, Cytoplasm, DNA, Cytoskeleton, Cell Membrane

Phospholipids

Make up the bulk of the cell membrane, hydrophilic head, hydrophobic tail

Plasmid

DNA that can be swapped between bacteria.

In animals NOT plants

Lysomes, Centrosome, Flagelium

In plants NOT animals

Chloroplasts, Central Vacuole, Tonoplast, Cell Wall

Exocytosis

Removal of particles from cell.

Endocytosis

Cell eating

Peroxisomes

The most common micro body in the cell, contains enzymes that convert hydrogen peroxide to water and oxidize alcohol.

Mitochondria

Site of Cellular Respriation, Glucose > ATP

Endosymbiosis Theory

Complex eukaryotic cells evolved from simple prokaryotic cells, one organism lives inside another organism.

Carbon

Naturally bonds with a variety of elements, can form 4 stable bonds at the same time.

Organic Molecule

Is a molecule that contains Carbon and Hydrogen.

Functions of Carbohydrates

Easy/quick Energy, short-term energy storage, structure.

Functions of Lipids

Long-term energy storage, form large portion of cell membrane, cell signaling, maintain body heat.

Functions of Proteins

Enzymes ( chemical reactions ), structural components in cells, mechanical functions in muscles and cytoskeleton, cell signaling & immune response.

Functions of Nucleic Acids

Storage and retrieval of info: encode genes, gene expression.

Monomer of Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides

Monomer of Nucleic Acids

Nucleotide

Monomer of Lipids

Fatty Acids

Monomer of Proteins

Amino Acid

Archaebacteria

1st cells to evolve, live in extreme environments.

Eubacteria

Found in all habitats except harsh ones, some may cause disease, decomposition and nutrient cycles

Bacillus

Rod-shaped

Coccius

Spherical-shaped

Spirillaus

Spiral-shaped

Gram Staining

Dyes the cells, if they change to blue/purple, they have a cell wall.

Gram Positive

Have thick peptidoglycan cell walls, holds stain.

Gram Negative

Thinner cells walls with lipids on outside, doesn’t hold stain.

Metabolic Diversity

Chemoheterotrophs, Photoheterotrophs, Photoautotrophs, Chemoautotrophs

Conjugation

Transfer of plasmid.

Binary Fission

Asexual reproduction of bacteria, replicate DNA then divide.

To be considered alive

Made of cells, use energy, regulate internal environment, grow, respond to stimuli or environment, reproduce, population can evolve

Bacteriophage

Head, DNA, tail sheath, tail fiber.

RNA Viruses

Capsid, RNA, membrane envelope, surface proteins ( antigens ).

Reverse Transcriptase

RNA to DNA inserts into the host’s cell.

Vaccines

Helps our body recognize a virus as a foreign invader, kills it before it infects our cells.