Cell Biology and Chemistry Fundamentals Lecture Flashcards

This flashcard set covers the essential vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes, including cell structure, biochemistry, atomic theory, and the scientific method.

Cell Surface Area

A factor that limits the size of a cell; eukaryotic cells can be larger because internal membranes (organelles) increase total membrane area to support larger volumes.

Prokaryotic Cells

Simple cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic Cells

Complex cells that contain a nucleus and various membrane-bound organelles.

Organelle

A specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function and is usually separately enclosed within its own lipid bilayer.

Endomembrane System

A group of membranes and organelles in eukaryotic cells that work together to modify, package, and transport lipids and proteins.

Functional Groups

Specific groupings of atoms within molecules that have their own characteristic properties, with 6 key groups identified in Chapter 3.

Dehydration Synthesis Reaction

A chemical reaction used to create polymers from monomers by removing a molecule of water.

Hydrolysis Reaction

A chemical process that breaks down polymers into monomers by the addition of a water molecule.

Macromolecules

Large biological molecules necessary for life, specifically carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrate (simple sugar) that serving as a building block for more complex sugars.

Lipids

A diverse group of hydrophobic molecules, including fats, waxes, and steroids, that do not form true polymers.

Phospholipids

Molecules with a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails, forming the primary component of cell membranes.

Amino Acids

The organic monomers that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

Peptide Bond

The specific covalent bond that links two amino acids together in a polypeptide chain.

Nucleotides

The building blocks (monomers) of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Proton

A subatomic particle located in the nucleus with a positive electrical charge of $+1$.

Neutron

A subatomic particle located in the nucleus with no electrical charge (neutral).

Electron

A subatomic particle with a negative electrical charge of $-1$ found in energy levels or shells surrounding the nucleus.

Covalent Bond

A strong chemical bond formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of valence electrons.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond resulting from the attraction between oppositely charged ions created by the transfer of electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak chemical bond formed between the partial positive charge of a hydrogen atom and the partial negative charge of another atom.

pH Scale

A scale ranging from $0$ to $14$ used to measure the acidity or basicity of a solution.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a set of observations that must be both testable and falsifiable.

Manipulative Research

A research method where the investigator actively changes one or more variables to observe the effect on the subject.