Cell Biology Terminology

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to cell biology, including mechanisms of transport, stages of mitosis, and cell differentiation.

active transport

A form of transport across the cell membrane that requires input of cellular energy.

amphipathic

Describes a molecule that exhibits a difference in polarity between its two ends, resulting in a difference in water solubility.

anaphase

The third stage of mitosis (and meiosis) during which sister chromatids separate into two new nuclear regions of a dividing cell.

autophagy

The lysosomal breakdown of a cell’s own components.

cell cycle

Life cycle of a single cell, from its birth until its division into two new daughter cells.

centrosome

Cellular structure that organizes microtubules during cell division.

checkpoint

Progress point in the cell cycle during which certain conditions must be met for the cell to proceed to a subsequent phase.

chromatin

Substance consisting of DNA and associated proteins.

cytokinesis

Final stage in cell division, where the cytoplasm divides to form two separate daughter cells.

diffusion

Movement of a substance from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration.

endocytosis

Import of material into the cell by formation of a membrane-bound vesicle.

facilitated diffusion

Diffusion of a substance with the aid of a membrane protein.

G1 phase

First phase of the cell cycle, after a new cell is born.

Golgi apparatus

Cellular organelle formed by a series of flattened, membrane-bound sacs that functions in protein modification, tagging, packaging, and transport.

interphase

Entire life cycle of a cell, excluding mitosis.

nucleus

Cell’s central organelle; contains the cell’s DNA.

pluripotent

Describes the condition of being able to differentiate into a large variety of cell types.

ribosome

Cellular organelle that functions in protein synthesis.

transcription

Process of producing an mRNA molecule that is complementary to a particular gene of DNA.

unstable mutation

Change in the nucleotide sequence in a gene within a cell’s DNA that may be passed onto subsequent generations.