Cell Biology and Mitosis Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell structure, membrane transport, organelles, and phases of mitosis based on lecture notes.

Nonpolar region of a phospholipid

The hydrophobic portion consisting of nonpolar tails.

Polar region of a phospholipid

The hydrophilic portion consisting of the polar head.

Peripheral protein

A protein attached to the membrane surface.

Integral protein

A protein extending into or through the membrane.

ATP

Molecule that provides the energy needed for synthesis reactions.

Ribosomes

The actual site of protein synthesis, which may be attached to the ER or scattered in the cytoplasm.

Early prophase

The stage of mitosis during which centrioles move to opposite ends of the cell.

Late prophase

The stage of mitosis during which the nuclear membrane and nucleolus disintegrate.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis during which chromosomes align on the spindle equator.

Microtubules

Hollow cytoskeletal elements that act as organizers for the cytoskeleton.

Nucleus

The organelle that houses DNA and RNA.

Desmosomes

A type of cell junction that functions as an anchoring junction.

Gap junctions

A type of cell junction that functions as a communicating junction.

Phagocytosis

A vesicular transport process occurring primarily in white blood cells and macrophages to take in large particles or dispose of old/dead cells, after which a lysosome combines with the vacuole to digest the material.

Smooth ER

Organelle where calcium ions are stored in certain muscle cells.

tRNA

The RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome.

Mitochondria

An organelle that contains its own DNA besides the nucleus.

Cytosol

The fluid portion of the cell whose main component is water.

Centrioles

Structures responsible for organizing the mitotic spindle in cell division.

Peroxisomes

Organelles able to detoxify substances by enzymatic action.

Exocytosis

A process during which particles are discharged from inside the cell to the outside.

Passive membrane transport

Movement of a substance down its concentration gradient.

Complementary mRNA sequence for ACGTT

UGCAA

Mitosis sequence

The orderly sequence of mitosis: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Facilitated diffusion

A transport process that requires a carrier protein.

Polar head

What is the hydrophilic portion of a phospholipid?

Nonpolar tails

What is the hydrophobic portion of a phospholipid?