bio230 exam

Cell Polarity

The spatial differences in shape, structure, and function within a cell.

Apical Domain

The part of polarized cells that faces outward, towards the external environment or lumen.

Basolateral Domain

The part of polarized cells that faces inward, towards other tissues.

Signal Transmission

The process by which cells communicate and respond to stimuli.

Exocytosis

The process of transporting materials out of a cell by vesicles.

Endocytosis

The process by which cells internalize substances from their exterior.

Trans-Golgi Network (TGN)

A cellular compartment involved in the sorting and distribution of proteins.

Kinesin

Motor proteins that move vesicles towards the plus end of microtubules.

Dynein

Motor proteins that transport vesicles towards the minus end of microtubules.

Phosphoinositides (PIPs)

Lipids that mark different membrane domains and are involved in signaling.

Rab GTPases

Molecular switches that coordinate vesicle targeting to specific membranes.

Cytoskeleton

A network of filaments and tubules that provide structure, support, and mobility in cells.

Microtubules

Cylindrical structures composed of tubulin that help with cell shape and transport.

Actin Filaments

Polymers of actin proteins that are involved in cell movement and shape.

Rho Family GTPases

Molecular switches that regulate the organization of the cytoskeleton.

Adherens Junctions

Cell-cell junctions that connect epithelial cells via cadherin proteins.

Tight Junctions

Cell junctions that seal adjacent cells, preventing diffusion of substances.

Integrins

Transmembrane proteins that mediate cell-ECM adhesion.

Gastrulation

A key phase in embryonic development that forms the three germ layers.

Hox Genes

Regulatory genes that determine the body plan and segment identity during development.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into specialized cell types.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that is regulated and essential for development and homeostasis.

Caspases

Proteases that play essential roles in apoptosis by cleaving specific cellular targets.

Tissue Morphogenesis

The biological process that causes an organism to develop its shape.

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes that normally inhibit cell division; mutations can lead to cancer.

Oncogenes

Mutated genes that promote excessive cell growth and division.

Necrosis

Accidental cell death caused by injury or trauma, leading to inflammation.

Mutagen

An agent that causes genetic mutation.

Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (Cdks)

Enzymes that regulate the cell cycle by phosphorylating target proteins.

Cell Cycle Checkpoints

Regulatory points in the cell cycle that assess conditions for progression.

Mitogens

Growth factors that stimulate cell division.

Retinoblastoma (Rb)

A tumor suppressor protein that regulates the cell cycle.

p53

A protein that regulates the cell cycle and plays a role in preventing cancer.

Cancer Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to other parts of the body.

Cell Differentiation

The process by which unspecialized cells become specialized for specific functions.

Mass Cell Migration

Movement of groups of cells in coordinated chains or sheets.

Cleavage in Apoptosis

The specific and controlled cutting of proteins to enact programmed cell death.

Feedback Loops in Signaling

Regulatory mechanisms that enhance or inhibit cellular responses.

Cell Internalization

The process of cells taking in substances from the external environment.

Secondary Messengers

Small molecules that deliver signals inside the cell to amplify the response.

Synaptic Signaling

Signaling that occurs at synapses between neurons.

Ligand-Gated Ion Channels

Ion channels that open or close in response to the binding of signaling molecules.

Proteolysis in Signal Pathways

The cleavage of proteins that regulates the activity of signaling pathways.

Notch-Delta Signaling

A pathway that influences cell fate decisions through direct cell-cell interaction.

G-Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)

A large family of receptors that mediate various signaling pathways.

Beta-Catenin

An intracellular protein that plays key roles in the regulation of cell adhesion and gene transcription.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that regulate the transcription of specific genes by binding to nearby DNA.

Clonal Selection

The process whereby specific cells are selected for proliferation and differentiation.

Programmed Cell Death (PCD)

Processes that lead to cell death in a highly regulated manner.

Homeostasis

The state of steady internal conditions maintained by living organisms.

Tumor Microenvironment

The surrounding cells and factors that contribute to tumor growth and progression.

Mutation Accumulation

The process by which mutations build up in a genome over time.

Cell Cohesion

The ability of cells to stick together, important for maintaining tissue structure.

Stem Cell Plasticity

The ability of stem cells to differentiate into multiple types of cells.

Cytoskeletal Rearrangements

Changes in the structure and organization of cytoskeletal components during development.

Intracellular Signaling Pathways

Complex pathways that convert external signals into cellular responses.

GTP Hydrolysis

The process of breaking down GTP, often involved in signaling pathways.

Epigenetic Modifications

Chemical modifications to DNA or histones that affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence.

Cellular Proliferation

The process of cell division and replication.

Cell Signaling Pathways

Series of molecular interactions that mediate cellular responses.

S-phase

The phase of the cell cycle in which DNA is replicated.

G1 Phase

The first gap phase of the cell cycle, focused on cell growth.

G2 Phase

The second gap phase of the cell cycle, preparing for mitosis.

Mitosis

The process of cell division resulting in two daughter cells.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm to form two separate cells after mitosis.

Tumorigenesis/cancer pathogenesis

The process by which normal cells transform into cancer cells.

Immunotherapy

A cancer treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer.

Epigenetic Regulation

Modification of gene activity without altering DNA sequences.

Calcium Signaling

Utilization of calcium ions as a secondary messenger in signaling pathways.

Proliferative Disorders

Conditions characterized by excessive cell growth.

Cancer Genomics

The study of the genetic changes associated with cancer.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

A complex network of proteins and carbohydrates that provide structural support to tissues.

Adhesion Molecules

Proteins that mediate the interaction between cells or between cells and the ECM.

Cell-Cell Interactions

Interactions between cells that influence their behavior and fate.

Cell Proliferation Factors

Biochemical signals that promote the division and growth of cells.

Cell Adhesion Proteins

Proteins that allow cells to adhere to each other or to the ECM.

Cell Migration Mechanisms

The processes that drive cells to move to specific locations.

Internal Signaling Cascades

Sequential biological events triggered by extracellular signals.

Feedback Mechanisms in Signaling

Regulatory processes that adjust cell responses to signals.

Cellular Response to Stress

The physiological changes in a cell in response to stressors.

Morphogen Gradients

Concentration gradients of substances that influence cell fate during development.

Cellular Signaling Architecture

The structural organization of signaling molecules within a cell.

Apoptotic Pathway Activation

The initiation of programmed cell death through specific signaling events.

Cellular Senescence

A state in which cells stop dividing and undergo distinct phenotypic alterations.

Embryonic Development Stages

Critical phases during which specific developmental processes occur.

Cytokine Signaling

Signaling mediated by cytokines that regulate immune responses.

Neural Crest Cells

A population of cells that contribute to diverse structures in the developing embryo.

Cellular Signaling Specificity

The ability of signaling pathways to elicit distinct responses depending on context.

Cell Fate Determinants

Molecules that influence the development pathways of progenitor cells.

Transcriptional Regulation

Control of gene expression at the transcription level.

Developmental Biology

The study of the process by which organisms grow and develop.

Apoptosis Mechanisms

The cellular processes that lead to programmed cell death.

Cancer Initiation

The initial step in cancer development involving mutations.

Caspase Activation

The process through which inactive caspases are converted to active forms.

Mutational Analysis

The study of genetic mutations and their effects on cell behavior.

Germ Layer Development

Formation of the three primary layers in embryonic development.

Cell Communication,

Interactions between cells that allow them to respond to one another.

Stem Cell Applications

Uses of stem cells in therapy, research, and regenerative medicine.

Surface Receptors

Proteins on the cell surface that bind to signaling molecules.

Radial Glial Cells

Cells that provide a scaffold for migrating neurons.