Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
Plasma Membrane
A bilayer composed of phospholipids that acts as a barrier to most water-soluble substances.
Phospholipid
A molecule with a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails that forms the plasma membrane.
Integral Protein
A protein embedded in the phospholipid bilayer that functions in transport, communication, and enzymatic activity.
Peripheral Protein
A protein attached to the membrane's surface involved in signaling and maintaining cell shape.
Cholesterol
A molecule interspersed within the phospholipid bilayer that stabilizes membrane fluidity; stops membrane from freezing in cold temps, and melting in high temps
Cytoplasm
The gel-like substance within the plasma membrane that contains organelles and is the site of many cellular processes.
Cell Wall
A rigid structure that provides support and protection; composed of cellulose in plants and peptidoglycan in bacteria.
Organelle
Membrane-bound structures within a cell that perform specific functions, such as energy production and protein synthesis.
Nucleus
The membrane-bound organelle that contains genetic material in the form of chromatin and chromosomes.
chromatin
complex of DNA and proteins; condenses to form chromosomes during cell division
chromosome
structures containing genetic material
Nucleolus
A dense region within the nucleus where ribosomal RNA synthesis and ribosome assembly occur.
Nuclear Envelope
The double membrane surrounding the nucleus.
Nuclear Pores
Openings in the nuclear envelope that allow the exchange of materials between the nucleus and cytoplasm.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
A network of membranes involved in the synthesis and processing of proteins and lipids.
Smooth ER
The portion of the ER that synthesizes lipids, metabolizes carbohydrates, and detoxifies toxins.
Rough ER
The portion of the ER studded with ribosomes that synthesizes and processes proteins.
Lysosome
An organelle containing digestive enzymes that break down macromolecules, old cell parts, and pathogens.
Chloroplast
The organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs, containing chlorophyll.
Microtubule
A component of the cytoskeleton that provides structural support and facilitates intracellular transport.
Centriole
A cylindrical structure involved in organizing microtubules during cell division.
Centrosome
The region of the cell where microtubules are organized.
Cilia
Short, hair-like structures that move substances along the cell surface; main function is transport
Flagella
Long, whip-like structures that propel cells, both having a 9+2 arrangement of microtubules.
Central Vacuole
A large organelle in plant cells that stores nutrients and waste products and helps maintain turgor pressure.
Vacuole
A storage organelle in plant and fungal cells.
Vesicle
A small, membrane-bound sac that transports materials within the cell.
Ribosomes
The sites of protein synthesis, which can be free in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough ER.
Golgi Apparatus
An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles.
Mitochondria
The powerhouse of the cell that converts nutrients into ATP through cellular respiration.
Peroxisome
An organelle containing enzymes that break down fatty acids and detoxify harmful substances by producing and breaking down hydrogen peroxide
Endomembrane System
A system that includes the ER, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and vesicles; proteins and lipids synthesized in the ER are modified and packaged in the Golgi Apparatus; lysosomes receive enzymes from the Golgi Apparatus and are involved in the digestion of materials.
Prokaryotic Cells
Cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, with circular, free-floating DNA.
Eukaryotic Cells
Cells that have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, with linear DNA stored in the nucleus.
evidence for common ancestry
all cells have ribosomes indicating the shared mechanism for protein synthesis; all cells also have a plasma membrane, showing a common structural feature
Endosymbiont Theory
The theory that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from free-living prokaryotes that entered into a symbiotic relationship with early eukaryotic cells.; evidence includes both organelles having a double membrane, both having their own circular DNA similar to bacteria, and both reproduce independently from the host cell
Compartmentalization in Eukaryotic Cells
The presence of membrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cells that allows for specialization and efficiency in biochemical reactions.
Surface Area to Volume Ratio
A calculation that indicates the efficiency of nutrient uptake and waste removal in cells; higher rates are advantageous for nutrient uptake and waste removal
Membrane Folding
The process that increases surface area for reactions or processes, such as ATP production in mitochondria and photosynthesis in chloroplasts
polar molecules
generally cannot pass through cell membrane without transport proteins (ex: water)
nonpolar molecules
can pass through relatively easily through the cell membrane (ex: O2, CO2)
ionic molecules
cannot pass through easily through the cell membrane without transport proteins (ex: sodium ions)
size and molecule passage through cell membrane
larger molecules or those with charges may require transport proteins to pass through the cell membrane
functions of membrane proteins
signal transduction - receive and transmit signals (ex: hormone receptors)
transport- facilitate movement of substances (ex: channels, carriers)
cell-to-cell recognition - (identify cell; ex: glycoproteins [carbohydrate attached to a peripheral protein on cell membrane])
attachment - anchor to the extracellular matrix or cytoskeleton (ex: integrins)
intercellular joining - link cells together (ex: tight junctions)
enzymatic activity - catalyze reactions (ex: digestive enzymes)
hypertonic
solution has higher solute concentration; water moves out of cell causing it to shrink; plants cells become flaccid or plasmolyzed
hypotonic
solution has a lower solute concentration; water moves into the cell causing it to swell or burst; plant cells will become turgid (central vacuole is swelled)
isotonic
solution has same solute concentration and solute; no net movement of water; plant cells become flaccid
water potential
a measurement of how freely water molecules can move within a system; water moves from high water potential (less negative areas) to low water potential (more negative areas); the higher the solute concentration the lower the water potential
Passive Transport
The movement of molecules across a membrane without energy input, including diffusion and osmosis.
Aquaporins
Membrane proteins that facilitate the rapid transport of water molecules through cell membranes.
passive transport
movement of substances across the cell membrane that does not require energy input
diffusion
type of passive transport; movement of molecules from high to low concentration
facilitated diffusion
type of passive transport that uses transport proteins to move molecules down their concentration gradient across the cell membrane
osmosis
diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane; moves from areas of low solute concentration to areas with high solute concentration (ex: move from areas with high water potential to low water potential)
Cohesion
The property of water molecules sticking to each other, aiding in transport through plant tissues.
Adhesion
The property of water molecules sticking to the walls of plant vessels.
Transpiration
The process of water movement through plants, driven by water potential and environmental factors; effected by temperature, humidity, wind, etc.
active transport
transport that requires ATP to move substances AGAINST their concentration gradient (from low concentration to high concentration)
cotransport
simultaneous active transport of two different substances
countertransport
active transport of one substance in one direction while another moves in the opposite direction
Endocytosis
The process of engulfing materials into the cell, including phagocytosis and pinocytosis.
Phagocytosis
type of endocytosis; engulfing of large particles or cells via vesicles
Pinocytosis
type of endocytosis; engulfing of fluids or small particles via vesicles
receptor-mediated endocytosis
certain molecules has to bind to receptor to trigger a vesicles to perform endocytosis
Exocytosis
The process of expelling materials from the cell by vesicle fusion with the cell membrane