Biology Review: Cellular Processes

Flashcards covering key concepts from the Cellular Processes notes: tissues, organ systems, organelles, DNA, transcription/translation, and cellular transport.

What are the four basic tissue types that make up all 11 body systems?

Muscular, connective, nervous, and epithelial tissues.

How many body systems are there in the human body?

11.

Approximately how many organs are in the human body?

60+ organs.

Approximately how many cells are in the human body?

Trillions.

Which organelle acts as the cell's control center and contains genetic information?

Nucleus.

Which organelle synthesizes proteins and ships them around the cell (can be smooth or rough)?

Endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER has ribosomes; smooth ER lacks).

What is the main function of mitochondria?

Converts food into ATP (cellular energy).

What is the role of the Golgi apparatus?

Transports material around the cell in vesicles.

What is the function of lysosomes?

Break down waste.

What is the function of centrioles?

Aid in cell division.

What is the function of vacuoles?

Store nutrients and water.

How many chromosomes are in human body cells and where is the DNA located?

46 chromosomes; DNA is contained within the nucleus.

What is the shape of DNA?

Double helix.

Which bases pair together in DNA base pairing?

A pairs with T; C pairs with G.

What are the components of the DNA ladder's sides and rungs?

Sides are sugar and phosphate; rungs are nitrogen bases (A, T, C, G).

What are the two major processes used to create proteins from DNA?

Transcription and translation.

What is a gene?

A section of DNA that codes for a protein.

Where does transcription occur and what does it produce?

In the nucleus; produces an mRNA transcript.

During transcription, which RNA base replaces thymine when pairing with adenine in DNA?

Uracil (U).

Where does the newly formed mRNA go after transcription?

It leaves the nucleus and travels to the ribosome to be translated.

What marks the starting point of translation on the mRNA?

START codon (first set of 3 mRNA bases).

What carries amino acids to the ribosome during translation?

tRNA.

What is formed when amino acids are linked together during translation?

A polypeptide chain that folds into a protein.

What encodes the genetic information used to form proteins?

The nitrogen bases of DNA; information is used during transcription and translation to make proteins.

Why do cells divide? What problem does division solve?

To prevent inefficiency when a cell grows too large; it maintains efficient nutrient/waste exchange and proper surface area-to-volume ratio.

What is mitosis?

The period of division in somatic (body) cells; division of chromosomes and cytoplasm; one parent cell makes two identical daughter cells.

What is meiosis?

The period of division in sex cells (gametes); results in four different daughter cells.

What is the cell membrane's key property?

Semi-permeable; only some substances can pass through.

What are diffusion and osmosis, and do they require energy?

Both are forms of passive transport; they do not require energy (high to low concentration).

What is facilitated diffusion?

Diffusion of larger molecules across membranes via protein channels.

What is active transport?

Movement of molecules from low concentration to high concentration; requires energy.

What are the two main types of active transport?

Endocytosis (into cell) and exocytosis (out of cell).