ANPH 1001 Unit 1 Topic 2: Cells and Chemistry of Life

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering chemical principles, biomolecules, membrane transport, cellular organelles, metabolism, and cell division from ANPH 1001 Unit 1 Topic 2.

Chemistry

The study of elements, compounds, chemical reactions, and molecular structure.

Atom

The smallest particle of an element, consisting of subatomic components such as protons and electrons.

Element

A substance that is made entirely from one type of atom.

Isotope

Different kinds of atoms of the same element that contain different numbers of neutrons (e.g., $C^{12}$ and $C^{13}$).

Neutron

An uncharged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Compound

A substance that contains two or more chemical elements.

Atomic Number

The number of protons or electrons present in an atom of an element.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed when atoms share electrons.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed when one atom gains and another atom loses electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak bond holding water molecules together.

Carbon Dioxide ($CO_2$)

A covalently bonded product of cellular respiration that is exhaled through the respiratory system and forms toxic carbonic acid if it accumulates.

Ammonia ($NH_3$)

A toxic byproduct formed when proteins are broken down into amino acids, which is converted to urea by the liver.

Urea

A harmless, water-soluble compound synthesized by the liver from ammonia and carried by blood to the kidneys to be eliminated as urine.

Carbohydrates

Organic energy molecules characterized by a $1:2:1$ ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, functioning in energy storage and cell structure.

Triglycerides (Triacylglycerol)

Lipids made of glycerol and fatty acids that constitute approximately $95\%$ of human fat.

Saturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid that contains only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms, commonly found in milk, butter, beef, and eggs.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid that contains double covalent bonds, found in sunflower, corn, and fish oils.

Enzyme

A protein catalyst that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed or altered by the reaction.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

The double-helical nucleic acid located in the nucleus that serves as the genetic material of the cell.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

A single-chain nucleic acid, including mRNA and tRNA, responsible for directing protein synthesis.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

A high-energy molecule consisting of a sugar, adenine, and three phosphate groups that serves as fuel for cellular work and maintenance.

Selectively Permeable Membrane

A cell boundary whose chemical structure allows only certain chosen substances to enter and exit while permitting water to pass with ease.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, accelerated by higher temperatures.

Brownian Movement

The random collision of diffusing molecules.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to low water concentration.

Isotonic Solution

A solution in which the solute (salt) concentration outside the cell is equal to the concentration inside the cell.

Hypotonic Solution

A dilute external solution where solute concentration is lower outside the cell than inside, causing water to enter and swell the cell.

Hypertonic Solution

A concentrated solution where solute concentration is higher outside the cell than inside, causing water to leave and the cell to shrink (crenate).

pH

A measure of 'Potential Hydrogen' (derived from the French 'pouvoir hydrogène') indicating the amount of hydrogen ions ($H^+$) in a substance.

Acid

A substance that dissociates to produce an excess of $H^+$ ions, possessing a pH value below $7.0$.

Base

A chemical substance possessing a pH value above $7.0$.

Buffer

A chemical reservoir that donates or absorbs hydrogen ions to maintain blood pH levels, such as bicarbonate and carbonic acid.

Cell Theory

The biological principle formulated in the 1830s by Schleiden and Schwann stating that cells are the smallest complete living units, all organisms are made of cells, and all cells arise from existing cells.

Ribosome

A non-membrane-covered organelle distributed in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum that acts as the site of protein synthesis.

Transcription

The stage of protein synthesis in which messenger RNA (mRNA) copies the genetic code from DNA and exits the nucleus.

Translation

The stage of protein synthesis in which genetic information is converted from a nucleic acid language into an amino acid sequence via transfer RNA (tRNA).

Cellular Metabolism

The total set of chemical changes and reactions occurring inside a cell.

Anabolism

The phase of metabolism that combines smaller molecules into larger molecules, requiring energy.

Catabolism

The phase of metabolism that breaks down larger molecules into smaller molecules, releasing energy.

Glycolysis

The metabolic breakdown of glucose that generates a total of 8 ATP under aerobic conditions and 2 ATP under anaerobic conditions.

Kreb's Citric Acid Cycle

A cellular respiration pathway that yields $3\,CO_2$, $4\,NADH_2$, $1\,FADH_2$, and $1\,\text{ATP}$ for every pyruvic acid molecule that enters.

Mitosis

The division of the nucleus that results in identical copies of chromosomes packaged into two new nuclei.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm that results in two separate daughter cells.

Prophase

The first phase of mitosis where chromosomes become visible, centrioles move to opposite poles, and the nuclear membrane breaks down.

Metaphase

The mitotic phase where chromatids align along the cell's equator and the centromere divides.

Anaphase

The phase of mitosis in which separated chromatids are pulled toward opposite poles and cytokinesis begins.

Telophase

The final phase of mitosis where chromosomes uncoil and decondense, the spindle apparatus breaks down, and new nuclear membranes form.

Meiosis

A two-stage cell division process occurring exclusively in the gonads that reduces the genetic material from diploid ($2n$) to haploid ($n$).