Lab Practical 2 Study Guide: Cell Chemistry, Microscope, Cytology, & Mitosis

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cell chemistry, functional groups, microscopy, cytology, mitosis phases, cell transport, and cellular respiration based on Lab Practical 2 notes.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element that retains all the unique properties of that element, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Element

A pure substance made of only one type of atom that cannot be created or broken down by ordinary chemical means.

Molecule

A chemical structure composed of two or more atoms covalently bonded together.

Compound

A substance containing two or more different elements chemically combined in fixed proportions.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses one or more electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains one or more electrons.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond in which electrons are shared relatively equally between bonded atoms.

Polar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond in which electrons are shared unequally, creating partially positive and partially negative regions on the molecule.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak electrostatic attraction between a partially positive hydrogen atom and another electronegative atom.

Monosaccharide

A single sugar molecule that serves as the basic building block of carbohydrates, such as glucose or fructose.

Glycosidic Bond

The covalent bond formed between monosaccharides to create disaccharides or polysaccharides.

Triglyceride

A lipid composed of one glycerol molecule bound to three fatty acid chains, primarily used for long-term energy storage.

Phospholipid

A lipid molecule composed of glycerol, two fatty acid tails, and a phosphate head, forming the main structural component of cell membranes.

Peptide Bond

The covalent bond formed between amino acids during protein synthesis.

Hydroxyl Group

A functional group with the chemical structure $-\text{OH}$, characteristic of alcohols.

Carboxyl Group

A functional group with the chemical structure $-\text{COOH}$, characteristic of organic acids.

Amino Group

A functional group with the chemical structure $-\text{NH}_2$, found in amino acids and proteins.

Phosphate Group

A functional group with the chemical structure $-\text{PO}_4$, found in ATP, nucleic acids, and phospholipids.

Carbonyl Group

A functional group with the chemical structure $\text{C=O}$, characteristic of aldehydes and ketones.

Plasma Membrane

The outer boundary of a cell that encloses its contents, maintains cell shape, and regulates what moves into and out of the cell.

Cytoplasm

The internal cellular space bounded by the plasma membrane (excluding the nucleus), consisting of cytosol and organelles.

Nucleus

The cell's control center that contains most of its genetic material (DNA).

Prophase

The first phase of mitosis during which chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and spindle fibers form.

Metaphase

The phase of mitosis in which chromosomes line up single file across the middle (equator) of the cell.

Anaphase

The phase of mitosis in which sister chromatids separate and are pulled apart toward opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis during which separated chromosomes reach opposite poles, uncoil back into chromatin, and two new nuclear envelopes form.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm following mitosis that physically splits the parent cell into two separate daughter cells.

Metabolism

The sum total of all chemical reactions occurring within an organism to maintain life and health.

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction where two monomers are covalently joined together by removing a water molecule ($\text{H}_2\text{O}$).

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction where a complex molecule is broken down into smaller units by adding a water molecule ($\text{H}_2\text{O}$).

Heat Sink

A substance, such as body water, that absorbs and dissipates heat without experiencing a large increase in its own temperature.

Buffer

A solution that resists drastic changes in pH by neutralizing small amounts of added acid or base.

Enzyme

A biological protein catalyst that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing permanent change by lowering activation energy.

Active Site

The specific region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind to undergo a chemical reaction.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution surrounding a cell that has a higher solute concentration than the intracellular fluid, causing water to diffuse out of the cell.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution surrounding a cell that has a lower solute concentration than the intracellular fluid, causing water to diffuse into the cell.

Isotonic Solution

A solution surrounding a cell that has an equal solute concentration relative to the intracellular fluid, resulting in no net water movement.

Glycolysis

The initial step of cellular respiration taking place in the cytosol, splitting one glucose molecule into two pyruvate molecules with a net yield of $2\text{ ATP}$ and $2\text{ NADH}$.