Cell Biology Lecture Notes

Flashcards about cell biology, organelles, cell division, cancer, and tissues.

Nucleus

Genetic control centre of the cell; contains DNA.

Nucleolus

Site of ribosomal assembly, RNA is synthesized here.

Cytoplasm

Separates the cells organelles, provides structure to the cell.

Cytoskeleton

Helps with the movement of organelles within the cytosol; helps in the movement of chromosomes during cell division.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Contains enzymes that make fats, phospholipids and steroids. Path where molecules move from one place to another in the cell.

Ribosomes

Builds proteins that are used in the cytosol (protein synthesis).

Golgi Apparatus (bodies)

Collect and process materials to be removed from the cell; make and secrete mucus.

Lysosomes

Digest proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.

Mitochondria

Make energy available to the cell; contains enzymes that help to convert the stored energy into a usable form.

Flagella and Cilia

Helps the movement of tiny organisms through water; sweeps and traps debris from the air a person intakes.

Cell Membrane

Allows for some substances to enter while keeping others out; has a semi-permeable membrane.

Cell Wall

Provides support for the cell and prevents injury; only found in plant cells.

Vacuoles

When full of water, turgor pressure keeps the cells plumps, which keeps plant stems and leaves firm.

Chloroplasts

Absorb light energy used in photosynthesis; contain chlorophyll and gives the leaves their green colour.

Eubacteria

One of the first types of cells to evolve; found in almost every environment including water, soil and in or on other living things.

Archaebacteria

One of the first types of cells to evolve; live in the harshest environments including very salty water, hot springs, deep oceans and acidic environments.

Protista

Composed of organisms that are eukaryotes and aquatic; DNA is in chromosomes within a well-defined nucleus and energy production occurs in the mitochondria.

Fungi

Fungi participate with bacteria in recycling biological substances in the environment. They can cause several diseases of animals, including humans however some fungi are useful to us as food sources such as yeast.

Plantae

Almost all plants have in common the presence chloroplasts containing chlorophyll and additional pigments that absorb light and contribute to the photosynthetic process. Plants are non-motile.

Animalia

They are usually motile and lack the rigid cell walls characteristic of plants. A high degree of tissue complexity often exists.

Prokaryote

These are the first types of cells to evolve.

Eukaryotes

These celles are characterized by the presence or discrete, membrane-enclosed organelles.

Diffusion

The movement of particles from area of high concentration to low concentraion.

Osmosis

The movement of particles from area of low concentration to high concentraion.

Hypotonic

Less solute outside the cell. Water enters the cell and the cell enlarges.

Isotonic

Same amount of solute inside and outside the cell. Same amount of water moves in as moves out (equilibrium).

Hypertonic

More solute surrounding the cell. Water leaves the cell and the cell shrinks.

Benign (noncancerous)

Harmless tumours that do not spread.

Malignant

Harmful tumors that have the potential to spread through the body.

Metastatic

Tumors that have travelled and grown in other areas.

Cancer

A disease that eventually disrupts the body functions due to uncontrolled cell division and the spread of abnormal cells.

Radiation

Uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

Uses drugs to prevent mitosis in rapidly dividing cells (hair, bone marrow, etc).

Surgery

Physically removes cancer cells.

Cellular differentiation

Process of creating specialized cells.

Embryonic stem cells (Pluripotent)

Differenciates into any cell type

Adult stem cells (tissue specific)

Exist in some tissues but can only form specific types of cells.

Epithelial tissue

Thin sheets of tightly packed cells covering surfaces and lining internal organs.

Connective tissue

Various types of cells and fibres held together by a liquid, a solid, or gel, known as a matrix.

Muscle tissue

Bundles of long cells called muscle fibres that contain specialized proteins capable shortening or contracting.

Nerve tissue

Long, thin cells with fine branches at the ends capable of conducting electrical impulses.