Week 4 A - Cells and Immunity: Pathways Regulating Survival, Growth, and Proliferation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to cell pathways, signaling, and the cell cycle as discussed in the lecture.

Cell Proliferation

The process by which cells divide and reproduce.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death, a mechanism that eliminates unwanted cells.

Signal Amplification

The process by which a single signal molecule leads to a large response due to multiple downstream actions.

Phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group, typically to a protein, which can alter its activity.

Kinase

An enzyme that adds phosphate groups to other molecules.

Phosphatase

An enzyme that removes phosphate groups from molecules.

G protein

A molecular switch that transmits signals from a receptor to its target.

Second Messenger

Small molecules that relay signals received at receptors on the cell surface to target molecules inside the cell.

Cyclin/CDK Complex

A regulatory complex that controls the progression of cells through the cell cycle.

G1 Checkpoint

A checkpoint in the cell cycle that assesses whether the environment is favorable for cell division.

Ras Protein

A G protein involved in transmitting signals within cells, particularly in growth factor signaling.

Mitogen

A substance that stimulates cell division.

E2F

A group of genes that encode a family of transcription factors in higher eukaryotes.

TOR Pathway

A pathway that regulates cell growth and metabolism in response to nutrients.

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase

A signaling molecule that mediates various cellular processes, including growth and differentiation.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that help regulate the transcription of specific genes.

Adaptor Proteins

Proteins that mediate interactions between other proteins in signaling pathways.

Cell Cycle

The series of phases that a cell goes through during growth and division.

Oncogene

A gene that has the potential to cause cancer.

Tumor Suppressor Gene

A gene that normally prevents uncontrolled cell division.