LAST NOTES FOR EXAM 1: Macromolecules, Cellular Homeostasis, and Connective Tissues

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering macromolecules, cellular energetics, histology, and connective tissue types from Chapter 1.

Monomer

A single, small repeating molecule or unit used as a building block to build macromolecules.

Hydrophilic

Describing a molecule that loves water, dissolves easily in water, and is often referred to as polar.

Hydrophobic

Describing a molecule that hates water, does not dissolve well in water, struggles to move through water, and is often referred to as nonpolar.

Polysaccharide

The scientific name for a carbohydrate, consisting of many saccharide monomers bonded together.

Glycogen

A long chain molecule used to store unused glucose/sugar for short periods of hours in liver cells and skeletal muscle cells.

Subcutaneous fat

Adipose tissue located deep to the skin that functions in long-term energy storage, insulation, and body cushioning.

Visceral fat

Adipose tissue located around internal organs (guts) that functions in protection, cushioning, and long-term energy storage.

Phospholipid

A lipid molecule composed of a phosphate head and fatty acid tails that makes up cell membranes.

Steroid

A nonpolar, hydrophobic hormone built from cholesterol, such as testosterone.

Amino acid

The monomer unit of proteins; there are 20 different types in the human body differentiated by an R group.

R group

The variable region of an amino acid structure that determines whether the resulting protein region is polar or nonpolar.

Catalyst

A substance, such as an enzyme protein, that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids, consisting of a carbohydrate sugar, a phosphate group, and a base.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

A hydrophilic nucleotide-like molecule that acts as the energy currency of the cell, releasing usable energy when its unstable third phosphate bond breaks.

Histology

The study of tissues or the tissue level of biological organization.

Connective tissue

The most abundant tissue type in the body, described as nature's packing material, consisting of cells surrounded by an extracellular matrix.

Fibroblast

An immature connective tissue cell (indicated by the suffix -blast) that secretes and creates the extracellular matrix (ECM).

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

The non-cellular material surrounding connective tissue cells, made up of ground substance and protein fibers.

Collagen

A strong connective tissue fiber that provides strength and structural support.

Elastin

A stretchy connective tissue fiber that provides flexibility to tissues.

Reticular fibers

Connective tissue fibers that form a net-like or mesh-like network to support resting cells, such as developing blood cells.

Connective tissue proper

The broad group of connective tissues encompassing all loose and dense connective tissue types that fill empty spaces in the body.

Areolar tissue

A loose connective tissue located deep to epithelial tissue that provides an essential blood supply to avascular epithelial cells.

Dense regular connective tissue

A fibrous connective tissue with parallel fibers that provides linear strength, found in tendons and ligaments.

Dense irregular connective tissue

A fibrous connective tissue with a spiral fiber pattern that provides rotational strength in movable synovial joints.

Elastic connective tissue

A dense connective tissue located in the walls of veins and arteries that allows vessels to stretch and flex under blood pressure.

Hyaline cartilage

Cartilage with the highest water content, providing optimal cushioning at joint surfaces such as the ends of long bones.

Elastic cartilage

Flexible cartilage rich in elastin fibers located in the external ear and the epiglottis.

Fibrocartilage

A dense cartilage rich in collagen fibers that offers high strength in pressure-bearing or immovable locations like intervertebral discs and knee menisci.

Avascular

Lacking a direct blood supply, a feature of cartilage and epithelial tissue that prevents rapid self-healing.