Body Systems and Cell Theory

Flashcards for reviewing lecture notes on Body Systems and Cell Theory.

Cell Theory

All living organisms are composed of cells, cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells

Dehydration Synthesis

Monomers are joined by removal of OH from one monomer and removal of H from the other; an anabolic reaction

Protein Channels

Integral membrane proteins that create pathways, or pores, allowing specific molecules to pass across the cell membrane

Prokaryote

Single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles

Hydrolysis

Monomers are released by the addition of a water molecule, adding OH to one monomer and H to the other; a catabolic reaction

Glycoprotein

A protein that has one or more carbohydrate (sugar) chains, called glycans, covalently attached to it

Eukaryote

Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles

Monosaccharide

Single Sugars (monomers)

Micelle

A tiny particle made of substances that are soluble in water and come together to form a ball-like shape

Selectively Permeable

A membrane allows some substances to pass through while restricting others

Fructose

Fruit sugar (monosaccharide)

Lysis

The breaking down of the membrane of a cell, often by viral, enzymic, or osmotic mechanisms that compromise its integrity

Hydrophilic

Having a tendency to mix with, dissolve in, or be wetted by water

Glucose

Blood sugar (monosaccharide)

Liposome

A microscopic, spherical vesicle made of lipid molecules that can encapsulate other molecules

Hydrophobic

Tending to repel or fail to mix with water

Dextrose

A simple sugar that is chemically identical to glucose (monosaccharide)

Cholesterol

A type of fat, specifically a waxy, fat-like substance essential for building healthy cells and producing certain hormones and vitamins

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants and other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose

Galactose

Sweetener (monosaccharide)

LDL/HDL

Two types of cholesterol; high levels of LDL can lead to plaque buildup, while HDL helps remove excess cholesterol

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert biochemical energy from molecules like glucose into ATP and release waste products

Disaccharides

Sugars composed of two monosaccharides

Chitin

A naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi

Passive Transport

A cellular process where molecules move across the cell membrane without requiring the cell to expend energy

Maltose

(malt sugar) = 2 glucose (disaccharide)

Wax

Lipids, specifically esters of fatty acids and long-chain alcohols, that serve various protective and structural functions

Solute

The minor component in a solution, dissolved in the solvent

Sucrose

(table/cane sugar) = glucose + fructose (disaccharide)

Hydrogenation

A chemical reaction where hydrogen molecules are added to another compound

Solvent

A substance that can dissolve other substances to form a solution

Lactose

(milk sugar) = glucose + galactose (disaccharide)

Enzyme

A protein that acts as a biological catalyst, accelerating chemical reactions within living organisms

Diffusion

The net movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration

Polysaccharide

Large carbohydrate molecules composed of long chains of simple sugar units linked together

Hormone

Chemical messengers with amino acids and lipids that travel through the bloodstream to target cells and organs, regulating various bodily functions

Dynamic Equilibrium

The end goal of diffusion, where there are equal spaces between the molecules

Cellulose

Found in the cell walls of plant cells, used to give structure; fiber that helps increase the size of feces and softens them

Steroid

A man-made version of hormones that reduce redness and swelling

Osmosis

The process of distributing water across a semipermeable membrane to dilute higher concentrations of particles

Glycogen

A glucose polymer that animals use as an energy reserve

Peptide Bond

A covalent chemical bond that links two amino acids together

Isotonic Solution

A solution where the concentration of solute molecules outside a cell is equal to the concentration of solute molecules inside the cell

Starch

A complex carbohydrate primarily found in plants and used for energy storage

Codon

Sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA that specifies a particular amino acid or signals the termination of protein synthesis

Hypotonic Solution

A solution where the concentration of solute outside a cell is lower than that found inside the cell

Fat

Made of C, H, and O; provides energy, helps absorb vitamins, and supports growth and development

DNA

A molecule found in cells that carries the genetic instructions for an organism's development, functioning, growth, and reproduction

Hypertonic Solution

A solution where the concentration of solutes outside a cell is higher than that found inside the cell

Triglyceride

Consists of a glycerol backbone connected to 3 long fatty acid chains (lipid/fat)

RNA

A nucleic acid present in all living cells that acts as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins

Facilitated Diffusion

Substances move across the cell membrane with help of special proteins in the membrane

Phospholipid

Phosphate attached to a glycerol molecule and two fatty acid tails; component of cell membrane

Nucleotide of DNA or RNA

A molecule that serves as a building block for DNA and RNA

Active Transport

A cellular process that moves molecules across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy

Oil

Liquid at room temperature, tend to come from plants, contain double bonds in the fatty acids

ATCG

Represents the four nucleotide bases that make up DNA: Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine

Endocytosis

Taking large molecules into the cell

Trans Fat

H atoms opposite, type of unsaturated fatty acid, often created artificially through hydrogenation

Bolus

Food that has been chewed and formed into a round mass inside the mouth, about to be swallowed

Phagocytosis

Taking in solids

Saturated fats

Have no double bonds in their fatty acid chains and are typically solid at room temperature

Unsaturated fats

Contain one or more double bonds and are usually liquid at room temperature.

Chyme

The pulpy acidic fluid which passes from the stomach to the small intestine, consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food

Pinocytosis

Taking in liquids

Amino acid

Organic compounds that are the building blocks of proteins

Peristalsis

The involuntary, wave-like muscle contractions that propel substances through the digestive tract

Exocytosis

Removing large molecules from the cell

Essential Amino acid

Amino acids that the human body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained through diet

Villi

Small, finger-like projections lining the small intestine that increase its surface area

Microvilli

Hairlike structures on the surface of villi

Monomer

A molecule that can chemically bond with other identical molecules to form a polymer

Denaturation

The temporary change in a protein’s shape

Emulsification

The process of combining two liquids that don't typically mix, like oil and water, to create a stable mixture

Polymer

A large molecule composed of many repeating monomers

Coagulation

The permanent change in a protein’s shape

Pyloric sphincter

Muscular ring that acts as a valve, controlling the flow of partially digested food from the stomach into the small intestine

Homeostasis

The process by which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes