Biochemistry and Cell Biology Fundamentals

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering biochemistry branches, historical milestones, and cell structural components based on lecture notes.

Biochemistry

The study of chemical processes and substances inside of the living organisms; the science concerned with the chemical basis of life.

Structural Biochemistry

A branch of biochemistry focused on the 3D structure of biomolecules, applied in drug design and protein engineering.

Enzymology

The study of enzyme function and kinetics, with applications in medicine and industry.

Metabolism

The study of energy and biochemical pathways, relevant to nutrition and disease study.

Clinical Biochemistry

A branch applied to disease diagnosis and treatment in medical labs.

Carl Alexander Neuberg

Known as the "Father of Biochemistry" and a pioneer who discovered the role of enzymes as information molecules.

Hans Adolf Krebs

Winner of the 1953 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine, known for discovering the "Citric Acid Cycle" and the "Urea Cycle."

Krebs Cycle

A metabolic pathway that breaks down acetyl-CoA into $CO_2$ while producing energy-rich molecules like $NADH$, $FADH_2$, and $ATP/GTP$.

Urea Cycle

A metabolic pathway primarily in the liver that converts toxic ammonia from protein breakdown into less toxic urea for excretion.

Francis Crick & James Watson

Winners of the 1962 Nobel Prize for their discovery concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer.

Frederick Sanger

The biochemist who won the 1958 Nobel Prize for sequencing the amino acids of insulin, proving proteins have unique sequences.

Sanger & Gilbert

Winners of the 1980 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering DNA sequencing (determining base sequences in nucleic acids).

Kary B. Mullis

The American biochemist who won the 1993 Nobel Prize for inventing the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method.

PCR Method

Stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction; a technique used to create millions of identical copies of a specific genetic sequence from a tiny piece of DNA.

Cell

The basic unit of life and the smallest living unit of an organism, which can be unicellular or part of a multicellular organism.

Prokaryotes

Simple, ancient life forms (e.g., Bacteria, Archaea) that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, featuring single circular DNA.

Eukaryotes

Complex cells (e.g., Plants, Animals, Fungi) that contain a true nucleus with a nuclear membrane and various membrane-bound organelles.

Plasma Membrane

The "Security Guard" of the cell; a selectively permeable phospholipid bilayer that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Nucleus

The "Brain" or "Control Center" of the cell; a membrane-bound organelle that stores genetic information and controls gene expression.

Mitochondrion

The "Powerhouse of the Cell"; a double-membrane organelle that produces most of the cell's $ATP$ through cellular respiration.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

A network of membranes with attached ribosomes involved in synthesizing, folding, and processing proteins for secretion.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

A membrane network without ribosomes that synthesizes lipids, assists in detoxification, and participates in calcium storage.

Golgi Apparatus

The "Post Office" or "Shipping Center" of the cell consisting of flattened sacs called cisternae that modify, sort, and package lipids and proteins.

Lysosomes

The "Garbage Disposal" of the cell; membrane-bound compartments containing digestive enzymes to break down macromolecules and cellular waste.

Vacuole

The "Storage Tank" of the cell; a membrane-bound compartment that stores water, nutrients, and waste, and helps maintain turgor pressure in plants.

Peroxisomes

Small organelles containing enzymes for oxidation reactions, specifically breaking down fatty acids and detoxifying harmful compounds.

Cytoskeleton

A network of protein filaments that maintains cell shape, positions organelles, and supports transport and cell movement.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer found in plants, fungi, and many microorganisms that provides support, protection, and shape.

Centrosome

The Microtubule Organizing Center (MTOC) in animal cells that directs microtubule growth and ensures proper chromosome separation during division.