Flashcards for Cell and Molecular Biology Lecture

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Cell and Molecular Biology lecture.

Endomembrane system

A coordinated unit of membrane-bound compartments including the ER, Golgi complex, endosomes, lysosomes, and vacuoles, which perform specialized functions.

Biosynthetic pathway

The process in which proteins are synthesized in the ER, modified in the Golgi, and transported to their destinations.

Secretory pathway

The route taken by proteins synthesized in the ER that are discharged from the cell.

Endocytic pathway

The pathway through which materials move from the cell surface into the interior compartments like endosomes and lysosomes.

Constitutive secretion

The continuous transport of materials in secretory vesicles that are discharged from the cell.

Regulated secretion

The storage of materials in vesicles that are discharged in response to a specific stimulus.

Autoradiography

A technique used to visualize biochemical processes by radioactively labeling molecules.

GFP tagging

The use of green fluorescent protein to visualize protein movement in living cells.

Signal sequence

A short peptide at the N-terminus of a protein that directs the ribosome to the ER for synthesis.

SNARE protein

Proteins that mediate the fusion of vesicles with target membranes, facilitating intracellular transport.

Clathrin-coated vesicles

Vesicles that transport materials from the TGN to endosomes, lysosomes, and secretory granules.

COPI-coated vesicles

Vesicles that transport materials back from the Golgi to the ER.

COPII-coated vesicles

Vesicles that move materials from the ER to the Golgi complex.

Lysosomal enzymes

Hydrolases that function in the acidic environment of lysosomes to digest biological macromolecules.

Autophagy

The process by which cells degrade and recycle components, such as damaged organelles, using lysosomes.