Cell Biology and Transport Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering membrane structure, transport mechanisms, organelle functions, cell division, and molecular biology basics.

Integral membrane protein

A protein embedded in the membrane.

Peripheral membrane protein

A protein loosely attached to the membrane surface.

Tight junctions

Junctions that prevent substances from leaking between cells.

Desmosomes

Junctions that strongly attach cells together.

Gap junctions

Junctions that allow substances/signals to pass between cells.

Passive transport

Movement across a membrane without cellular energy.

Active transport

Movement across a membrane that requires energy.

Simple diffusion

Movement from high to low concentration without a transport protein.

Facilitated diffusion

Movement from high to low concentration using a membrane protein.

Osmosis

Diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Filtration

Movement caused by hydrostatic pressure.

Hypotonic solution

A solution environment where water enters the cell and the cell swells.

Hypertonic solution

A solution environment where water leaves the cell and the cell shrinks.

Isotonic solution

A solution environment in which there is no major change in cell size.

Sodium-potassium pump

A pump that uses ATP to move $3\,\text{Na}^+$ out and $2\,\text{K}^+$ in.

Phagocytosis

Endocytosis of large particles.

Pinocytosis

Endocytosis of extracellular fluid and small dissolved substances.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Uptake of specific substances after they bind to receptors.

Exocytosis

Process where vesicles fuse with the membrane to release substances outside the cell.

Resting membrane potential

The electrical charge difference across the membrane of an unstimulated cell.

$\text{K}^+$ leakage

Process where $\text{K}^+$ leaves through leak channels and helps make the inside of the cell negative.

Components of cytoplasm

Cytosol, organelles, and inclusions.

Mitochondria

Organelles that produce ATP.

Ribosomes

Organelles that make proteins.

Rough ER

Organelle that synthesizes and processes proteins.

Smooth ER

Organelle responsible for lipid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium storage.

Golgi apparatus

Organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.

Lysosomes

Organelles that digest cellular materials.

Peroxisomes

Organelles that detoxify substances and break down fatty acids.

Nucleus

Organelle that stores DNA and controls gene expression.

Nucleolus

Structure within the nucleus that produces ribosomal components.

Cytoskeletal filaments

Microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.

Microfilaments

Cytoskeletal filaments that help brace and strengthen cell surfaces.

Cell cycle order

$\text{G}_1 \rightarrow \text{S} \rightarrow \text{G}_2 \rightarrow \text{M} \rightarrow \text{cytokinesis}$.

S phase

The cell cycle phase during which DNA is replicated.

Stages of mitosis

Prophase $\rightarrow$ Metaphase $\rightarrow$ Anaphase $\rightarrow$ Telophase (PMAT).

Transcription

The process where DNA is used to make mRNA.

Translation

The process where mRNA is used to build a polypeptide/protein.

Major types of RNA

mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA.

mRNA

RNA type that carries genetic instructions from DNA.

tRNA

RNA type that carries amino acids to the ribosome.

rRNA

RNA type that forms part of the ribosome.

Codon

A three-base sequence on mRNA that specifies an amino acid or stop signal.

Protein synthesis process

$\text{DNA} \rightarrow \text{transcription} \rightarrow \text{mRNA} \rightarrow \text{translation} \rightarrow \text{protein}$.

DNA base pairs

A–T, C–G.

RNA base pairs

A–U, C–G.

Four organic molecules

Carbs, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.

Four major body elements

O, C, H, N.