Cell Biology Review: Basic Cell Structure and Model Organisms

52 vocabulary flashcards covering key cell biology concepts and model organisms from the notes.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid that stores genetic instructions in cells.

Gene expression

Process by which a cell converts genetic information into a functional product (protein or RNA).

Cell theory

Principle that all living things are made of cells and new cells arise from existing cells.

Nucleus

Membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that houses chromosomes and genetic material.

Eukaryotic cell

Cell that contains a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Prokaryotes

Organisms whose cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles (bacteria and archaea).

Prokaryote

A single-celled organism lacking a nucleus.

Yeast

Unicellular fungus, a eukaryote with a nucleus used widely in genetics research.

Mitochondria

Energy-producing organelles in eukaryotic cells; contain their own DNA.

Endoplasmic reticulum

Membrane-bound network where lipids and many proteins are synthesized and modified; rough ER has ribosomes.

Golgi apparatus

Stack of flattened membranes that processes, modifies, sorts, and ships proteins and lipids to their destinations.

Lysosome

Small organelle with enzymes that digest macromolecules and waste material.

Vesicles

Tiny membrane-bound sacs that transport cargo between organelles and to the outside of the cell.

Cytosol

The aqueous fluid component of the cytoplasm where many metabolic processes occur; the largest cell compartment.

Cytoskeleton

Network of protein filaments providing cell shape, support, and movement.

Role not performed by cytoskeleton

Generating chemical energy; energy production is carried out by mitochondria.

E. coli

A bacterium commonly used as a model organism in genetics and molecular biology.

Yeast as a model organism

A eukaryotic, unicellular organism used for genetic studies due to ease of manipulation and rapid growth.

Common ancestry

The concept that similar DNA sequences in different organisms descend from a shared ancestral gene.

Conserved gene families

Protein-coding gene families that have representatives across the three domains of life (bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes).

Cell

The smallest unit of life capable of independent function in organisms.

Virus

Non-cellular infectious particle; not considered a living organism by many definitions.

Chemical requirements

Variation in the chemical needs of different cell types.

Central dogma

Concept that genetic information flows as DNA -> RNA -> Protein, via replication, transcription, and translation.

Amino acids

The 20 standard building blocks that make up proteins.

Evolution

Change in the genetic composition of a population over generations followed by differential survival and reproduction.

Micrometer

Unit of length (μm) used to measure typical cell sizes; one millionth of a meter.

Wavelength

The distance between successive crests of light; determines resolving power of a microscope.

Nucleus

Membrane-bound organelle that houses the cell’s genetic material in eukaryotes; absent in prokaryotes.

Endosymbiotic theory

The theory that mitochondria originated from free-living aerobic bacteria that were engulfed by an ancestral cell.

Nuclear envelope

Double membrane surrounding the nucleus, continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum.

Chromosomes

Tightly packed DNA-protein complexes that carry genetic information.

Mitochondrion

An individual mitochondrion; double-membrane-bound organelle for energy production.

ER membrane component synthesis (false statement)

The claim that all membrane components are made exclusively in the ER is false; many components are synthesized in multiple locations.

Golgi apparatus

A series of flattened sacs that modify, sort, and package proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery.

Lysosomes

Organelles containing enzymes for macromolecule digestion; not sites of fatty acid synthesis.

DNA in cells

Genetic material found in all cellular life, including animal, plant, and bacterial cells.

Nucleus in eukaryotes

The membrane-bound organelle in which the genetic material is housed; present in animal and plant cells, absent in bacteria.

Plasma membrane

Phospholipid bilayer that encloses all cells, regulating transport in and out.

Endocytosis

Process by which external material is taken into the cell via vesicle formation.

Peroxisomes

Small organelles that detoxify reactive oxygen species and perform fatty acid breakdown.

Microtubules

Thickest cytoskeletal filaments involved in transport, shape, and cell division.

Cell wall

Rigid layer surrounding some cells (plants, fungi, bacteria) but not animal cells.

Model organism

A species used extensively to study fundamental biological processes due to practicality or relevance.

E. coli (model organism)

A bacterium widely used as a model organism in molecular biology.

C. elegans

A small nematode used as a model organism for programmed cell death and development.

Mouse

A mammalian model organism used in immunology and disease studies.

Arabidopsis

A small flowering plant model organism used to study plant development.

Drosophila melanogaster

A fruit fly model organism used to study genetics and development; insect.

Programmed cell death

Regulated process of cell suicide (apoptosis) during development or after damage.

Zebrafish

Danio rerio; a vertebrate model organism with transparent embryos for developmental studies.

Mice (tooth development model)

A mammalian model organism used to study tooth development and metabolism.