Cell Biology and Genetics Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell organelles, cytoskeleton components, cell cycle phases, mitosis, DNA replication, and protein synthesis based on the lecture transcript.

Cytoskeleton

An elaborate network of protein rods throughout the cell that acts as bones, ligaments, and muscles to help the cell maintain its shape.

Microfilaments

The smallest elements of the cytoskeleton that form web-like structures throughout the cell to provide strength and resist compression.

Intermediate filaments

Tough, middle-sized protein fibers in the cytoskeleton that possess tensile strength to resist pulling forces on the cell.

Microtubules

Hollow protein tubes that help maintain cell structure and form part of the mitotic spindle during cell division.

Centrosome

An area near the nucleus, meaning "cell center," that contains a pair of centrioles and helps organize the microtubules of the cytoskeleton.

Centrioles

Pair of barrel-shaped microtubule organelles within the centrosome that create microtubules and the mitotic spindle.

Cilia

Hair-like cellular structures that move in a whip-like motion to move substances across the surface of cells.

Flagella

Cellular projections that move an entire cell, found in the human body exclusively on sperm cells.

Microvilli

Fine projections created by cell membrane extensions that increase surface area for nutrient absorption in the digestive tract.

Multinucleate

Describing cells that contain multiple nuclei, such as skeletal muscle cells.

Chromatin

Uncondensed, thread-like strands of DNA combined with histone proteins found inside the nucleus.

Nucleolus

A structure within the nucleus responsible for producing ribosomal RNA (rRNA).

Interphase

The stage of the cell cycle where the cell grows, performs metabolic activities, and prepares for division.

S phase

The specific subphase of interphase during which DNA replication takes place.

DNA polymerase

An enzyme that travels along separated DNA strands during replication to assemble complementary base pairs and deoxyribose sugars.

Sister chromatids

Identical copies of condensed DNA strands connected by a centromere prior to nuclear division.

Mitosis

The process of nuclear division in the cell cycle, divided into prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Prophase

The first phase of mitosis where centrioles assemble the mitotic spindle, chromatin condenses into chromosomes, and the nuclear envelope eventually breaks down.

Metaphase

The phase of mitosis in which chromosomes align precisely along the midline or center of the cell.

Anaphase

The phase of mitosis in which sister chromatids snap apart at the centromere and are pulled to opposite poles as V-shaped structures.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis where chromosomes gather at opposite poles and new nuclear envelopes form around them.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cell cytoplasm through the formation of a cleavage furrow that pinches two daughter cells apart.

Transcription

The step of protein synthesis in the nucleus where DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA).

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that opens a specific section of DNA and synthesizes a corresponding mRNA strand until reaching a termination signal.

Translation

The step of protein synthesis occurring in the cytoplasm/ribosomes where mRNA is converted into a polypeptide chain.

Codon

A three-nucleotide sequence on an mRNA strand that codes for a specific amino acid.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

RNA molecules that carry specific amino acids to the ribosome to pair with corresponding mRNA codons during translation.