Cellular Processes and Genetics

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to cell transport, genetics, protein synthesis, and cell division.

Active Transport

Transporting a substrate against its concentration gradient, requiring ATP.

Sodium Potassium Pump

An example of active transport that exchanges three sodium ions out for every two potassium ions in.

Embedded Channel Protein

A channel protein that consumes energy to move substances against their concentration gradient.

Cell Membrane Potential

The imbalance in charge created by the sodium-potassium pump, maintaining a negative charge inside the cell and a positive charge outside.

Uniporter

Transports one type of solute.

Symporter

Transports two or more solutes in the same direction.

Antiporter

Transports two or more solutes in opposite directions.

Exocytosis

Bulk transport out of the cell.

Endocytosis

Bulk transport of substrate into the cell.

Phagocytosis

Cell eating, where a cell takes up large particles and breaks them down.

Pinocytosis

Cell drinking, or uptake of fluid droplets.

Receptor Mediated Endocytosis

Specific endocytosis involving receptors on the cell membrane.

Nucleus

The organelle that serves as the storage site for DNA in the cell.

Histones

Organizing proteins that DNA is associated with in the nucleus.

Chromatin

Collective term for DNA strands along with packing proteins in the nucleus.

Nucleolus/Nucleoli

A concentrated area in the nucleus where ribosomes are made.

Nucleotide

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

Purines

Double ring bases; adenine (A) and guanine (G).

Pyrimidines

Single ring pyrimidines; cytosine, thiamine, and uracil.

Law of Complementary Base Pairing

The law stating that in DNA, adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G).

Protein Synthesis

The two-step process of protein creation using transcription and translation.

Transcription

The stage that converts genetic information in DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA).

Translation

The process where the information in mRNA is translated into protein, occurring in the ribosomes.

Base Triplet

A set of three nucleotides read at a time, coding for amino acids.

Codon

The mirror image of a base triplet in mRNA form.

Introns

Non-coding sequences that are removed from the initial messenger RNA strand.

Exons

Coding sequences that remain after introns are removed and are translated.

RNA Polymerase

The enzyme responsible for converting DNA into messenger RNA during transcription.

Alternative Splicing

When exons are spliced together in different combinations to produce different proteins.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

RNA molecules that read the messenger RNA strand and assemble amino acids into a final protein.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Molecules that deliver the appropriate amino acid to the ribosome for translation.

DNA Polymerase

The enzyme that makes a copy of DNA during DNA replication.

Semiconservative

A DNA copy where the newly synthesized strand forms a helix with the original strand.

G1 Phase

The first gap phase, where the cell accumulates materials needed to make a copy of its DNA and performs its normal functions.

S Phase

The synthesis phase, where the cell is actively making a copy of its DNA.

G2 Phase

The second gap phase, where the cell produces the parts necessary for cell replication.

M Phase

The mitotic phase, where there is a division of the DNA and cell cytoplasm.

Cytokinesis

This is the division of the cytoplasm.

Mitosis

Subcategories: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.

Senescence

When cells are metabolizing, but not actively dividing.

Prophase

The phase when the nuclear envelope begins to break down and the centrioles develop.

Metaphase

The phase where all of the DNA lines up in the center of the cell.

Anaphase

The phase where you get the physical separation of the DNA.

Telophase

The phase where the nucleus is reestablished and cells begin to split.

Chromosome

An x confirmation consisting of two sister chromatids that DNA coils to form.

Center

Also called the metaphasic equator, where all of the chromatids line up in in the center of the cell during metaphase.

Cleavage Furrow

The splitting of the cytoplasm during cytokinesis.

Contact Inhibition

The prevention of cell replication when a cell is surrounded by healthy neighbors.

Interphase

Includes: G1, S, and G2.