Cell Biology and Cytology Overview

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering cell membranes, cellular organelles, the cytoskeleton, and fundamental biomolecules based on the lecture transcript.

Amphipathic

Describing a molecule that has both a nonpolar (hydrophobic) portion and a polar (hydrophilic) portion.

Phospholipid bilayer

A cell membrane arrangement composed of one layer of phospholipids sandwiched with another layer flipped upside down relative to the first.

Selectively permeable

The property of a membrane that allows only certain molecules, such as small nonpolar molecules like oxygen, to pass through under specific conditions.

Fluid mosaic model

The concept that cell membrane molecules are not static, but slip around past each other loosely, with cholesterol providing structural support.

Cholesterol

Molecules in cell membranes that provide structural stability to keep the membrane from becoming too loose.

Nucleus

The cellular organelle that contains DNA, which serves as the instructions for building proteins.

Nucleolus

A specialized region inside the nucleus responsible for manufacturing ribosomes.

Ribosomes

Specialized protein-building structures that read RNA messages transcribed from DNA to synthesize proteins.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

A membrane network studded with attached ribosomes where newly synthesized proteins are placed.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

A membrane network without attached ribosomes that functions in building lipids and breaking down cellular toxins.

Golgi apparatus

An organelle that functions like a distribution center by packaging cellular products into vesicles and shipping them inside or outside the cell.

Vesicles

Small membrane-bound packages produced by the Golgi apparatus that deliver materials within or outside of the cell.

Lysosomes

Specialized organelles formed from Golgi material that contain digestive enzymes used to drive hydrolysis.

Vacuoles

Storage organelles, primarily found in plant cells containing water or enzymes, used for cellular storage and breakdown.

Peroxisome

An organelle produced from the endoplasmic reticulum that specializes in detoxification, such as breaking down hydrogen peroxide.

Mitochondria

Unique double-membraned organelles found in all eukaryotic cells where the majority of cellular ATP is produced.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

The cellular energy-storing molecule that releases energy when its phosphate groups are broken off.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells that convert sunlight energy into stored sugars, which can later form starch or cellulose.

Microfilaments

The smallest cytoskeleton filaments, found on the outer edge of cells to provide shape and structure, and abundant in muscle cells.

Intermediate filaments

Medium-sized cytoskeleton elements made of several proteins that serve as scaffolding inside the cell for organelles to rest on.

Microtubules

Cytoskeleton structures composed of tubulin protein that transport vesicles and move chromosomes during cell division.

Tubulin

The specific protein that forms microtubules.

Domains of life

The three primary biological domains consisting of Archaea, Eukarya, and Bacteria.

Polysaccharide

A complex carbohydrate composed of many attached sugar molecules.

Sucrose

A disaccharide composed of exactly two attached sugar molecules.

Glycogen

A polysaccharide that functions as animal starch composed of many linked sugar molecules.