Cell Biology and Division Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular terminology, membrane structure, organelles, cell junctions, mitotic stages, and cancer characteristics.

Extra-

Prefix meaning outside.

Intra-

Prefix meaning within.

Inter-

Prefix meaning between.

Plasma membrane

Cell structure that separates the inside from the outside, maintains cell homeostasis, handles material exchange, and enables cell communication.

Phospholipid bilayer

A selectively permeable structure composed of glycerol, phosphate, saturated/unsaturated fatty acids, hydrophobic tails, and hydrophilic heads.

Glycoprotein

A membrane protein with a carbohydrate attached.

Glycolipid

A membrane lipid with a carbohydrate attached.

Receptor

A membrane protein that initiates cell signaling pathways via a ligand.

Glycocalyx

A surface component serving as a cell's personal ID card.

Transport proteins

Proteins that move substances through the cell membrane.

Enzyme

A protein that speeds up chemical reactions.

Microvilli

Cell membrane projections that increase surface area for absorption and secretion.

Cilia

Structures involved in sensory reception and the movement of fluid.

Flagella

Whip-like tails on cells used for movement.

Passive transport

Transportation across the cell membrane that does not require energy.

Active transport

Transportation across the cell membrane that requires energy for substances to cross.

Rough ER

Endoplasmic reticulum responsible for protein synthesis and modification.

Smooth ER

Endoplasmic reticulum responsible for lipid synthesis, $Ca^{2+}$ storage, and detoxification.

Lysosomes

Organelles that use enzymes to break down and digest unwanted material.

Autophagy

The process of self-eating carried out by lysosomes.

Mitochondria

Organelles that generate energy via the equation $O_2$ + food (sugar) = $CO_2$ + ATP.

Peroxisomes

Organelles that use hydrogen peroxide to break down lipids (fats) and neutralize poisons.

Tight junctions

Cell junctions that prevent materials from passing between adjacent cells.

Gap junctions

Cell junctions composed of connexons that allow materials to pass between adjacent cells.

Anchoring junction

A type of cell junction that holds cells together and provides structural cohesion.

Desmosomes

Anchoring junctions that provide cell-to-cell connections.

Hemidesmosomes

Anchoring junctions that connect a cell to the extracellular matrix.

Mitosis

Cell division process aimed at duplicating a cell, starting with one diploid cell and ending with two identical diploid cells.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle comprising G1 phase (Checkpoint #1), S phase, and G2 phase (Checkpoint #2).

S phase

The specific phase of interphase during which DNA is duplicated.

Prophase

The mitotic stage where DNA condenses into chromosomes joined as chromatids and the nuclear envelope disappears.

Metaphase

The mitotic stage where chromosomes line up at the equator and undergo Checkpoint #3.

Anaphase

The mitotic stage where chromatids move to opposite poles.

Telophase

The split stage of mitosis where a cleavage furrow forms to produce two new identical cells.

Cancer

A disruption of the normal cell cycle characterized by unchecked division, loss of specialization, lack of contact inhibition, lack of apoptosis, and ability to move around the body.