Cells and Cell Biochemistry

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to cells and cell biochemistry as outlined in the lecture notes.

Cell

The smallest independent, living structure in the human body.

Atom

The smallest unit of matter that retains the chemical properties of an element.

Element

A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means, made up of atoms of the same type.

Compound

A substance formed when two or more elements are chemically combined.

Ionic bond

A chemical bond formed when one atom donates an electron to another atom.

Covalent bond

A chemical bond in which atoms share electrons.

pH scale

A measure of acidity or alkalinity ranging from 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral.

Homeostasis

The process by which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment.

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the powerhouses of the cell that produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A network of membranous canals in the cell that carries proteins and other substances.

Ribosomes

Cellular structures composed of rRNA and proteins that synthesize proteins.

Lysosomes

Organelles that contain digestive enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris.

Proteasomes

Complexes that degrade unneeded or damaged proteins by breaking them down into amino acids.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound organelle that houses the cell's genetic material.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that occurs as a normal part of growth and development.

Virus

A microscopic organism that can only reproduce inside a living host cell.