Introduction to Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key cellular structures, molecular genetics mechanisms, DNA replication, mutations, and cancer biology based on the lecture transcript.

Polymerization

The cellular process where individual monomer units (such as paper clip-like units or amino acids) spontaneously assemble into a continuous rod or chain structure.

Tubulin

The monomer protein that forms structural cables and microfilaments within the cell, making up structures like the mitotic spindle.

Centriole

A cellular structure that functions like a pulley where structural cables attach to pull copied chromosomes to opposite ends during cell division.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

A single-stranded disposable copy of genetic instructions transcribed from DNA in the nucleus that exits via nuclear pores to be translated into protein.

Transcription

The process occurring inside the nucleus where DNA sequence information is copied into a messenger RNA strand.

Translation

The process taking place in the cytoplasm where a ribosome reads messenger RNA code and converts it into a sequence of amino acids to build a protein.

Ribosome

The molecular machine composed of two subunits that binds messenger RNA and translates groups of three nucleotides into a growing polypeptide chain.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

An RNA molecule that recognizes specific three-nucleotide codons on mRNA and delivers the corresponding amino acid to the growing peptide chain.

Golgi Apparatus

The organelle functioning as the cell's distribution center, reading molecular barcodes on packaged vesicles to direct where proteins and lipids are transported.

Diapedesis

The process by which white blood cells change shape, become flat, and squeeze between the cells forming blood vessel walls to reach injury sites.

Selectin

A cell surface protein found on colonic epithelial cells that alters cellular adhesion (stickiness) to facilitate white blood cell diapedesis.

Gene

A functional segment of DNA that contains the explicit instructions or recipe required to manufacture a specific protein or enzyme.

Central Dogma

The fundamental framework of molecular biology describing the standard directional flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

DNA Polymerase

The enzyme complex responsible for synthesizing a new DNA strand complementary to a parental template strand during replication.

Proofreading

A surveillance mechanism where proteins slide along replicating DNA to detect double-ring structural bumps in the sugar-phosphate backbone and correct errors.

Reading Frame

The fixed triplet sequence alignment used by ribosomes to interpret consecutive three-letter mRNA codons into amino acids.

Silent Mutation

A nucleotide alteration in the DNA sequence that changes a codon without altering the resulting amino acid in the encoded protein.

Nonsense Mutation

A genetic change that creates an improper premature stop codon, causing translation to terminate early and producing an incomplete protein.

Missense Mutation

A single nucleotide substitution that changes a codon so that it specifies a different amino acid, potentially altering the structure or function of the protein.

Oncogene

A mutated or deregulated gene that promotes uninhibited cell division and induces cancer formation.

Sarcoma

A category of malignant tumor or cancer originating specifically in connective tissues.

Cellular Transformation

The alteration of a normal cell into a cancer cell, marked by a loss of contact inhibition and the tendency to form unorganized cellular clumps.