Cell Structure and Function Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell morphology, membrane lipids and proteins, organelle functions, and structural components derived from the lecture.

Squamous cells

Flat, pancake-like cells that cover body surfaces.

Stellate cells

Cells typical for nerve cells that have branching appendages, allowing them to communicate with many other cells in the body.

Oocyte

A human egg cell that is big enough to be seen with the naked eye.

Cytosol

The cell fluid inside the cell interior, mostly water, containing dissolved carbohydrates, proteins, ions, and electrolytes.

Cytoplasm

The internal content of the cell that includes the cytosol, organelles, and the cytoskeleton.

Extracellular fluid

Collectively, all fluids and materials located outside of the cell membrane.

Phospholipids

The main membrane lipids consisting of a hydrophilic phosphate group head and hydrophobic fatty acid tails.

Hydrophilic

Attracted to water, such as the phosphate group heads of membrane phospholipids.

Hydrophobic

Repelled by water, such as the fatty acid tails that form a protective barrier in the center of the cell membrane.

Cholesterol

A lipid found between phospholipids in the cell membrane that creates small gaps allowing the membrane to remain fluid and dynamic.

Glycocalyx

The sugar coat on the outside surface of the cell membrane formed by conjugated sugar lipids, used by the immune system for cell recognition.

Integral proteins

Membrane proteins that pass across the cell membrane from end to end.

Peripheral proteins

Membrane proteins that sit on one surface of the membrane or the other, oftentimes associated with an integral protein.

MHC proteins

Major histocompatibility complex proteins that provide unique cell identity and are used in tissue matching and organ donation.

Cell adhesion molecules

Membrane proteins that adhere cells together to help form tightened tissues in the body.

Nucleus

Arguably the largest organelle, responsible for storing the cell's DNA.

Nuclear envelope

The protective membrane surrounding the nucleus that protects the DNA inside.

Nucleolus

A dark spot in the middle of the nucleus where ribosomes are produced.

Ribosomes

Structures made in the nucleolus that interpret DNA genetic codes to synthesize proteins.

Rough ER

Endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes, responsible for synthesizing new proteins and enzymes.

Smooth ER

Endoplasmic reticulum lacking ribosomes, involved primarily in breaking down and building up lipids.

Golgi

An organelle involved in packaging cell materials into vesicles for transport out of the cell.

Vesicle

A small bubble of the Golgi that travels to the cell surface to release packaged materials outside the cell.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell, responsible for producing most of the cell's energy.

Lysosomes

Membrane-bound organelles that break down organic polymers into monomers so that unneeded cellular materials can be recycled.

Cytoskeleton

A network of thin fibrous proteins in the cell that provides support, structure, and assists with cell motility.

Centrioles

Structures within the cytoskeleton that play a role in cell reproduction by helping divide a parent cell into daughter cells.