BIOL 100 Cellular Biology and DNA Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular biology, DNA structure, semiconservative replication, transcription, translation, biomolecules, cell cycle stages, and organelles.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

The molecule that makes up long, highly coiled structures called chromosomes and serves as the instruction code for making proteins or replicates during cell division.

Diploid Cell

A body cell (somatic cell) that contains 46 DNA molecules (chromosomes) in humans.

Haploid Cell

A reproductive cell, such as a sperm cell or an egg cell, that contains 23 DNA molecules (chromosomes) in humans.

Somatic Cells

All diploid non-reproductive body cells in an organism.

Gene Expression

The combined process of transcription and translation through which DNA acts as an instruction code to produce new protein molecules when a cell is not dividing.

Transcription and Translation

The two steps required for a cell to read the DNA instruction code and synthesize new proteins.

Nitrogenous Bases

The group of bases in DNA consisting of Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine.

Base Pairing Rules

The principle stating that every Adenine binds with its complementary base Thymine, and every Guanine binds with Cytosine.

Semiconservative DNA Replication Diagram

A process occurring before mitosis where double-stranded DNA uncoils and each original strand serves as a template, producing two double helices each made of one old strand and one new strand.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

The primary energy storage molecule of the cell, which contains more energy stored in its bonds than ADP and is produced via the reaction $ATP = ADP + P_i$.

Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)

A lower-energy molecule formed along with inorganic phosphate ($P_i$) when ATP releases stored chemical energy.

Gene

A region on a chromosome containing a specific sequence of bases that serves as the recipe for synthesizing a single protein.

Triplets and Codons Diagram

The arrangement of DNA base sequences in groups of three (triplets) coding for polypeptide chains and their corresponding transcribed mRNA sequences (codons).

Ribosome

The cellular organelle responsible for linking together amino acids to form a protein in its primary structure.

Biomolecules Diagram

A graphical representation of key cellular components: A (lipid/phospholipid), B (protein tertiary structure), C (amino acid monomer), D (ATP), and E (DNA double helix).

Prophase

The phase of the cell cycle where chromatin condenses into distinct chromosomes and the nuclear envelope breaks down.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where paired chromatids align along the center or equatorial plate of the cell.

Anaphase

The phase of mitosis in which chromosomes are pulled into V-shaped structures as they move to opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase

The phase of mitosis in which daughter chromosomes arrive at opposite poles of the cell.

Cytokinesis

The event in which the cell membrane constricts and pinches a single cell into two distinct daughter cells.

Interphase

The longest portion of the cell cycle (encompassing G1, S, and G2) during which the cell grows, synthesizes proteins, and replicates its DNA.

Mitochondria

Organelles containing necessary enzymes to convert fuel energy into ATP using oxygen.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound cellular organelle that houses the permanent copy of the genome.

Lysosome

A cellular vesicle containing hydrolytic enzymes used to degrade and destroy molecules into monomers; associated with Tay-Sachs Disease when defective.

Tight Junctions

Zipper-like attachment sites located near the apical border of epithelial cells.

Amphipathic Molecule

A molecular structure (such as a membrane phospholipid) that contains both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.

Cell Structures Matching Table

A reference key listing organelle and structural terms including Nucleus, Mitochondria, Lysosome, Ribosomes, Tight Junctions, and Cytoskeletal Elements.