CELS191 LECTURE 4 - Endomembrane System & Bulk Transport Processes

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the Endomembrane System, including the structures involved, their functions, and processes such as exocytosis and endocytosis.

Endomembrane System

A membrane system interconnected by direct physical contact or transfer by vesicles, including the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, vesicles, lysosomes, vacuoles, and plasma membrane.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A network of membranous tubules and sacs; consists of Smooth ER (sER) for lipid synthesis and detoxification, and Rough ER (rER) for protein synthesis.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (sER)

Involved in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid synthesis, detoxification of drugs, and storage of calcium ions.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (rER)

Has ribosomes on its surface; involved in the synthesis and processing of secreted and membrane-bound proteins.

Golgi Apparatus

A series of membrane sacs that modifies, sorts, and ships proteins arriving from the rER.

Glycosylation

The addition or modification of carbohydrates to proteins, important for secreted or cell surface proteins.

Exocytosis

The process of transporting materials out of the cell; includes constitutive and regulated forms.

Endocytosis

The process by which the cell takes in molecules and particulate matter at the plasma membrane.

Phagocytosis

A type of endocytosis known as 'cell eating' where cells ingest large particles or cells, forming a phagocytic vacuole.

Pinocytosis

A type of endocytosis known as 'cell drinking' that involves the uptake of extracellular fluid and solutes.

Receptor-mediated Endocytosis

A specialized form of pinocytosis that uses receptor proteins to selectively capture specific solutes from the extracellular fluid.

Lysosomes

Membrane-bound organelles containing hydrolytic enzymes that degrade macromolecules and recycle cellular materials.

Autophagy

The process by which cells digest and recycle unwanted cellular materials, important for cell health.

Vacuoles

Large vesicles derived from the rER and Golgi, playing important roles in plant cell growth and storage.