Basics of the Cell - Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Comprehensive flashcards covering the basics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell biology, microscopy, staining, and organelle functions.

Cell Theory\n\n

A set of principles established by Schleiden, Schwann, and Virchow (1838-1850) stating that every living organism is composed of one or more __________, the cell is the smallest __________ of life, and cells are produced only by the __________ and division of pre-existing cells.

Louis Pasteur\n\n

The scientist who established that life must come from __________ through a sterile broth experiment using U-tube openings.

Light (brightfield) Microscopy\n\n

A type of microscopy that uses transmitted light to form a __________ image, resulting in an illuminated specimen and a __________ background.

Phase Contrast Microscopy\n\n

A microscopy technique that converts phase shifts into differences in __________ intensity to produce higher contrast images of live cells and structures.

Fluorescence Microscopy\n\n

A technique using a __________ light source to induce fluorochrome emission of photons, often involving fluorochromes attached to __________ to bind specific targets.

Electron Microscopy\n\n

Uses __________ beams that pass through (transmission) or scan the surface (scanning) of a specimen to view internal structures or surface topography.

Differential Stains\n\n

Stains used to detect specific __________ structures, including examples like the Gram stain, Wright-Giemsa, trichrome, and hematoxylin.

Acid-Fast Stains\n\n

Stains such as Ziehl-Neelsen and Kinyoun used to detect __________ acid in bacterial cell walls.

Simple Staining\n\n

A morphological staining method where a __________ dye stains the organism directly, causing the organism to be __________.

Negative Staining\n\n

A morphological staining method where an acidic dye stains the slide background and is __________ by the organism, leaving the organism uncolored against a colored background.

Immunoglobulins (Antibodies)\n\n

Proteins produced by __________ cells consisting of two heavy chains and two light chains that bind very specifically to a target known as an __________.

Direct Immunofluorescence\n\n

A process where a labeled antibody attaches directly to an __________ on tissue, and the fluorochrome is activated by UV light or laser to emit photons.

Indirect Immunofluorescence\n\n

A process where a primary antibody binds to an __________, followed by a labeled secondary antibody binding to the primary antibody to generate light.

Prokaryotes\n\n

Cells with no membrane-bound __________ (nucleic acids are in a nucleoid), lacking membrane-bound organelles, belonging to the kingdoms __________ and __________.

Eukaryotes\n\n

Cells with one to many membrane-bound __________ where DNA is wound by histone proteins, containing complex organelles, and belonging to kingdoms __________, __________, __________, and __________.

Cocci\n\n

A __________-shaped morphology of prokaryotes.

Bacilli\n\n

A __________-shaped morphology of prokaryotes.

Pili\n\n

Structures used for attachment to tissue cells or surfaces, including P-pili for __________ cell attachment and F-pili (fertility pili) for gene transfer via __________.

Phagocytosis\n\n

The process by which specialized cells like macrophages and neutrophils capture, engulf, and digest __________ using phagolysosomes.

Capsules\n\n

Polysaccharide or protein layers secreted over the surface of bacteria that function to prevent __________ by blocking phagocyte receptors from binding to microbe ligands.

Biofilms\n\n

Aggregations of bacteria surrounded by protein or carbohydrate coats (capsules or slime layers) that allow bacteria to persist in __________ despite immune responses or chemicals.

Gram-positive Cell Wall\n\n

A cell wall characterized by a thick layer of __________ exposed to the environment and the presence of teichoic and lipoteichoic acids.

Gram-negative Cell Wall\n\n

A cell wall characterized by a thin layer of peptidoglycan contained in the __________ and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) outer membrane.

Peptidoglycan\n\n

A structural component of bacterial cell walls made of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) subunits.

Bactoprenol\n\n

A molecule that transfers the NAG-NAM-pentapeptide across the __________ during the synthesis of peptidoglycan.

Teichoic Acids\n\n

Negatively-charged polymers anchored into the peptidoglycan of Gram-positive bacteria that provide a pathway for positively-charged substances and aid in __________.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)\n\n

A component of the Gram-negative outer membrane that can trigger excessive __________ responses and cytokines, potentially leading to septic shock upon bacterial death.

Porins\n\n

Channels in the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria that regulate the entry and exit of __________, including antibiotics.

Flagella\n\n

Structures composed of the protein flagellin used for __________, requiring ATP to turn.

Monotrichous\n\n

A flagellar arrangement consisting of a single __________.

Peritrichous\n\n

A flagellar arrangement where flagella are located all over the surface of the __________.

Run and Tumble\n\n

Bacterial movement where counterclockwise flagellar spin results in a straight line (run) and clockwise rotation causes the bacterium to __________.

Prokaryote Ribosome\n\n

A $70S$ ribosome composed of a $30S$ small subunit and a $50S$ large subunit.

Eukaryote Ribosome\n\n

An $80S$ ribosome composed of a $40S$ small subunit and a $60S$ large subunit.

Binary Fission\n\n

The process by which a parent bacterial cell replicates its __________ and produces two daughter cells.

Generation Time\n\n

The time required for a bacteria to replicate and produce __________.

Endosymbiotic Theory\n\n

The theory that eukaryotic organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from prokaryotes, supported by their possession of __________ ribosomes.

Chromatin\n\n

A complex of eukaryotic DNA wrapped around __________ proteins, which condenses into chromosomes during cell division.

Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC)\n\n

Structures that regulate the transport of proteins and DNA/RNA across the double-membrane __________ envelope.

Nucleolus\n\n

A structure within the nucleus that synthesizes __________ RNA and forms ribosomes.

Nuclear Lamina\n\n

Lamin-associated __________ near the inner nuclear membrane that anchor NPC and function in DNA replication, chromatin organization, and apoptosis.

Centrosomes\n\n

Microtubule organizing centers (MOC) in animal cells made of __________ that direct chromosome movement during mitosis.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)\n\n

The site of protein production from mRNA (translation) characterized by the presence of __________.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)\n\n

Involved in fatty acid and steroid synthesis, glycogen breakdown, drug detoxification, and storage of $Ca^{2+}$ ions in the __________ reticulum.

Golgi Apparatus\n\n

A distribution center that glycosylates proteins, modifies glycoproteins, and tags molecules for transport to __________, the plasma membrane, or the cell exterior.

Motor Proteins\n\n

Proteins such as kinesin and dynein that carry transport vesicles along __________ to their destinations.

Microfilaments\n\n

Cytoskeletal components composed of __________ subunits that maintain cell shape, aid in muscle contraction, and enable motility via pseudopodia.

Microtubules\n\n

Hollow tubes composed of $\alpha$-tubulin and $\beta$-tubulin dimers that resist __________, move chromosomes during cell division, and enable motility via flagella or cilia.

Tight Junctions (Zonula Occludens)\n\n

Proteins forming an intercellular barrier to prevent __________ loss and maintain cell polarity.

Desmosomes\n\n

Intercellular junctions where intermediate filaments bind to plaques anchoring __________ proteins to attach adjacent cells.

Gap Junctions\n\n

Proteins that form channels between adjacent cells to allow the passage of __________, ions, and electrical signals.

Lysosomes\n\n

Organelles containing acid hydrolases that degrade engulfed materials and cellular __________.

Peroxisomes\n\n

Sites of oxidation reactions that produce __________ peroxide; they contain catalase and are involved in fatty acid breakdown and cholesterol synthesis.

Mitochondria\n\n

Organelles that produce __________ through the oxidation of food molecules via cellular respiration.

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)\n\n

The energy source of the cell; its conversion to ADP yields approximately $7.3 \, kcal/mol$.