Fall2024_Final Review Session

Cell Cycle

The series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication (replication).

Mitosis

The process through which a cell divides its nucleus and genetic material to form two identical daughter cells.

Cytoskeleton

A dynamic network of filamentous proteins that provides structural support and facilitates cell movement.

Actin Filaments

Strands of the cytoskeleton that are essential for many cell functions, including shape and movement.

Microtubules

Hollow cylinders made of tubulin that provide structural support, shape, and serve as tracks for motor proteins.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)

A large family of receptors that detect molecules outside the cell and activate internal signal transduction pathways.

Proto-oncogene

A normal gene that can become an oncogene due to mutations or increased expression.

Tumor suppressor genes

Genes that protect a cell from one step on the path to cancer; when mutated, they may lose their ability to regulate cell division.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms.

Signal Sequence

A short peptide present at the N-terminus of the protein that directs the protein to its destination.

Endocytosis

The process by which cells internalize substances from their external environment.

Exocytosis

The process by which cells expel materials through the fusion of vesicles with the plasma membrane.

Cell Junctions

Structures that connect cells together, including tight junctions, adherens junctions, gap junctions, and desmosomes.

VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor)

A signal protein that stimulates the formation of blood vessels.

Histone Modifications

Chemical alterations to histone proteins that affect gene expression by changing the accessibility of DNA.

Protein Phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to a protein that can regulate the protein's function and activity.

ligand

A molecule that binds to a receptor to initiate a signaling pathway.

Cdk

Cyclin-dependent kinase, a protein kinase that, when activated by a cyclin, phosphorylates target substrates.

Post-translational modification

Chemical changes to a protein after it has been synthesized, affecting its function and activity.

Oncogene

A mutated form of a gene that normally helps cells grow; when expressed at high levels, it can lead to cancer.

RNAi (RNA interference)

A biological process in which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression by destroying specific mRNA molecules.