Endoplasmic Reticulum and Protein Synthesis

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the endoplasmic reticulum and protein synthesis.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

An organelle that plays a key role in the synthesis of proteins and lipids.

Rough ER

A type of endoplasmic reticulum coated with ribosomes, primarily involved in protein synthesis.

Smooth ER

A type of endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes, involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Apoptosis

The process of programmed cell death in multicellular organisms.

Caspases

A family of cysteine proteases that play essential roles in programmed cell death.

Calcium signaling

The use of calcium ions (Ca²⁺) as signaling molecules within cells, important for various cellular processes.

Glycosylation

The enzymatic process that attaches carbohydrates to proteins or lipids.

Signal recognition particle (SRP)

A ribonucleoprotein that recognizes and targets specific proteins for the endoplasmic reticulum.

Translation

The process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using messenger RNA (mRNA).

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids bonded together, which folds into functional proteins.

Start codon

The nucleotide triplet (AUG) that signals the start of translation.

Stop codon

Nucleotide triplets that signal the termination of protein synthesis.

Chaperones

Proteins that assist in the proper folding of other proteins.

Translasm

The channel or complex in the ER through which newly synthesized polypeptides are translocated.

Endomembrane system

A network of membranes within the cell that compartmentalizes cellular functions.

Golgi apparatus

An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

Exocytosis

The process of vesicles fusing with the membrane to release their contents outside the cell.

Endocytosis

The process of internalizing substances into the cell via vesicles.

C-terminal and N-terminal

The two ends of a polypeptide chain; the C-terminal has a carboxyl group and the N-terminal has an amino group.