tour of cell 1 vocab

Chromosome

A DNA Molecule-Circular or linear, Depending on the species- usually associated with specific proteins that bind to the DNA

Ribosome

A molecular machine, consisting of RNA and proteins that is a site of protein synthesis.

Organelle

Any membrane- bound compartment inside a cell

Cytoskeleton

Rod-like protein, inside cells that function and structural support, transport of materials, and movement in some species

Cell wall

A stiff structure outside the cell membrane composed of carbohydrates and other molecules

Flagellum

A long, flexible structure that extends from the cell and whips or rotates to propel the cell through water

Nucleus

An organelle unique to eukaryotes Enclosed by double membrane and containing the cells chromosomes

Mitochondrion

An organelle found in all eukaryotes that functions in “burning” sugars to provide energy for the cell

Eukaryote

A lineage of species with cells that contain a nucleus and mitochondria

Prokaryote

A species in the lineages archaea and bacteria, with cells that lack a nucleus

Vacuole

An organelle that stores key molecules; very prominent in most plant cells

Chloroplast

An organelle that contains the molecular machinery required for photosynthesis

Endoplasmic reticulum ( ER)

A eukaryotic organelle that forms a branching network of narrow tubes and flattened sacs. The place where proteins, membrane lipids, and other molecules are synthesized and/or processed. Can have ribosomes associated with it (rough ER) or not (smooth er)

Golgi

An organelle comprised of stacked, flattened sacs, where proteins and other molecules are processed and packaged for shipment to specific destinations.

Actin filaments

Small-diameter cytoskeleton fibers made of subunits of the protein actin.

Intermediate filaments

Cytoskeleton fibers whose size is intermediate between those of actin filaments and microtubules and can be made from a variety of protein subunits

Microtubes

Large-diameter, hollow cytoskeleton elements made of the proteins a-tubulin and b-tubulin

Endomembrane system

A collection of machines, skeletal components, and organelles that together produce, process and transport proteins and lipids, destined for organelles, cell membrane or outside the cell

Signal sequence

A series of amino acids at the start of a protein that allows that protein to enter the Endomembrane system

Motor protein

A protein that functions and cell movement through shape changes caused by phosphorylation or dephosphorylation

phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group(PO4³-) to a protein or other molecule. In most cases, the phosphate group comes from ATP. Dephosphorylation is the reverse process.