Cell Biology and Organelles

Flashcards created from the lecture notes on cell biology, covering key organelles and their functions.

Cell Membrane

Phospholipid bilayer that surrounds the entire cell, regulating what enters and exits and protecting the internal environment.

Cell Wall

Rigid structure made of complex carbohydrates found in plants, fungi, and bacteria, providing structure and a permeability barrier.

Ribosomes

Found in all living organisms, composed of protein and rRNA, synthesizing proteins by reading mRNA.

Cytoplasm

Liquid mixture of water, salt, and nutrients where many metabolic reactions occur and helps maintain cell shape.

Cytoskeleton

Network maintaining cell shape and enabling intracellular transport, consisting of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments.

Centrioles

Anchor points for spindle fibers during mitosis and meiosis, helping pull chromosomes apart.

Spindle Fibers

Microtubules that assist in chromosome movement during cell division.

Flagella

Long, whip-like structures aiding in the motility of cells, moving like a propeller.

Cilia

Short, hair-like structures that move in a beating motion to assist in cell movement.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that modifies, packages, and sends proteins and lipids to their destinations.

Lysosomes

Organelles containing hydrolytic enzymes for breaking down waste and cellular debris.

Peroxisomes

Organelles involved in lipid hydrolysis and breaking down hydrogen peroxide.

Vacuole

Storage organelle for fluids and biomolecules, larger in plant cells to maintain turgor pressure.

Mitochondrion

Powerhouse of the cell, responsible for ATP synthesis through processes like the Citric Acid Cycle.

Chloroplast

Organelle containing chlorophyll, site of photosynthesis, with a structure maximizing surface area for chemical reactions.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis, with rough ER studded with ribosomes.

Protein Secretion Pathway (REGVC)

Acronym describing the pathway of protein synthesis and secretion involving Ribosomes, Rough ER, Golgi Apparatus, Vesicles, and Cell Membrane.

Nucleus

Surrounded by a double nuclear membrane that houses and protects DNA from denaturation. Also responsible for synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Nucleolus

Also the site of transcription, the process in which DNA is transcribed into mRNA. Site of ribosome synthesis in the cell. 

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Responsible for packaging proteins and sending them to the golgi apparatus. Responsible for lipid/hormone synthesis and detoxification of cell wastes. 

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Synthesized lipid polymers and hormones get sent to the golgi apparatus. Highly folded organelle that is contiguous with the nucleus and has ribosomes attached.