Anatomy & Physiology Lab - Cell Anatomy, Mitosis, and Membrane Transport Lab 3+4

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering cell structure, organelles, membrane proteins, the cell cycle, mitosis, and membrane transport mechanisms based on the lab exercise transcript.

Cell

The structural and functional unit of all organisms.

Plasma Membrane

Forms the outer boundary of a cell and consists of two layers of phospholipid molecules.

Nucleus

Cell’s control center where DNA is housed; surrounded by the nuclear envelope.

Cytoplasm

Relatively clear area between the nucleus and the plasma membrane.

Selective Permeability

Characteristic of the plasma membrane that allows some molecules to pass through while preventing the passage of others.

Receptors

Membrane proteins that receive chemical signals from other cells and enable communication between cells.

Channel proteins

Membrane proteins that allow passage of water and solutes; some are always open while others open and close under different conditions.

Carrier proteins

Membrane proteins that actively transport substances into, or out of, the cell.

Identity markers

Membrane proteins that serve as an identity tag so other cells can distinguish between self and foreign cells.

Enzymes

Membrane proteins that catalyze reactions that break down specific molecules.

Attachment proteins

Membrane proteins that attach cells to each other or to extracellular material.

Nuclear Matrix

Component of the nucleus that contains and organizes chromosomes.

Chromatin

Formed between DNA and proteins to help keep the chromosomes in the nucleus.

Cytosol

Liquid portion of the cytoplasm that fills the cell, gives it shape, and allows nutrients to move about the cell.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

Organelle involved in protein synthesis and sorting.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

Organelle involved in detoxification, carbohydrate metabolism, calcium balance, synthesis, and lipid modification.

Ribosomes

Organelles composed of RNA that serve as sites of protein synthesis.

Golgi Apparatus

Stack of flattened, membrane-bounded compartments that functions in secretion, processing, and protein sorting.

Mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell and the site of ATP synthesis; possesses its own DNA.

Lysosomes

Organelles that contain digestive enzymes to digest molecules or entire cells.

Interphase

Maintenance (resting) phase between cell divisions that prepares the cell for division.

Mitosis

Process where cells divide to produce two daughter cells from a single parent cell, facilitating the growth of an organism.

Cytokinesis

The division of the parent cell cytoplasm into two daughter cells, characterized by the formation of a cleavage furrow.

$G_1$ Phase

First stage of interphase characterized by cell growth.

S Phase

Stage of interphase where chromosomes replicate and stay connected as Sister Chromatids.

$G_2$ Phase

Stage of interphase where the cell synthesizes proteins needed during mitosis and cytokinesis.

Prophase

Mitotic stage where the nuclear membrane dissociates and replicated chromosomes become visible as rodlike structures.

Metaphase

Mitotic stage where chromosomes are aligned along the metaphase plate (equatorial plane).

Anaphase

Mitotic stage where chromosomes split and individual sister chromatids move towards opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase

Mitotic stage where chromosomes reach their respective poles and the nuclear membrane reforms.

Brownian Movement

Random movement of particles in a liquid or gaseous state caused by collisions with molecules of the surrounding medium.

Diffusion

Movement of solutes from high to low concentration; affected by temperature and molecule size.

Osmosis

Movement of solvent molecules (Water) from low to high solute concentration through a semipermeable membrane.

Isotonic

A state of tonicity with equal water and solute concentrations on either side of the membrane.

Hypertonic

Tonicity where solute concentration is higher (water concentration is lower) on one side of the membrane.

Hypotonic

Tonicity where solute concentration is lower (water concentration is higher) on one side of the membrane.