BI210 - 1.1

Flashcards covering the macromolecules of life, the distinction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, organelle functions, the endosymbiotic theory, and the major model organisms used in molecular biology research.

Carbohydrates

Chemical compounds containing carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O), typically with a $H:O$ ratio of $2:1$ and the empirical formula $C_m(H_2O)_n$.

Lipids

A heterogeneous group of organic compounds that are insoluble in water and soluble in non-polar organic solvents, serving roles in cell membranes, energy storage, and hormone production.

Nucleic Acids

The principle information molecules of the cell; the two main types are Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic acid (RNA).

Proteins

The 'doers' of the cell that execute tasks assigned by genetic information, directed by most diverse macromolecules made of amino acids, peptides, and polypeptides.

The First Cell Theory

The theory that the enclosure of self-replicating RNA in a phospholipid membrane gave rise to the first cell at least $3.8 imes 10^9$ years ago.

RNA Self-Replication

The ability of RNA to both serve as its own template and catalyse its own replication.

Prokaryotes

Cells, such as bacteria and archaea, where the genetic material is not membrane-enclosed and typically consists of a circular chromosome.

Eukaryotes

Cells where genetic material is packaged in a membrane-enclosed organelle called the nucleus, with DNA typically arranged in paired linear chromosomes.

Cyanobacteria

The largest and most complex prokaryotes; the group of bacteria in which photosynthesis evolved.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

A rod-shaped (bacillus) bacterium with a genome of $4.6 imes 10^6$ base pairs and a rapid doubling time of $20$ minutes, used as a model for DNA replication and protein synthesis.

Nucleus

The largest organelle containing linear DNA molecules; it is the site of DNA replication and RNA synthesis.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell; the sites of oxidative phosphorylation which generate ATP using pyruvate and NADH.

Chloroplasts

The sites of photosynthesis found only in plants and some algae; they convert sunlight into energy-storage molecules like ATP and NADPH.

Lysosomes

Specialised metabolic compartments used for the digestion of macromolecules.

Peroxisomes

Specialised metabolic compartments that perform various oxidative reactions.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A membrane network extending from the nuclear envelope involved in protein processing, transport, and lipid synthesis.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that receives proteins from the ER for sorting and processing, and synthesizes cell wall polysaccharides in plants.

Cytoskeleton

A network of protein filaments (actin filaments and microtubules) that provides structural framework, determines cell shape, and is involved in movement.

Endosymbiotic Theory

The hypothesis that eukaryotic cells arose from a fusion of genomes from Eubacteria and Archaebacteria, supported by the bacterial-like properties of mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Parenchyma cells

Plant ground tissue cells that are the site of metabolic reactions, including photosynthesis.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae)

The most commonly studied yeast; a simple eukaryote with a genome of $12 imes 10^6$ base pairs arranged in $16$ linear chromosomes.

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans)

A multicellular nematode model with exactly $959$ somatic cells, used to study developmental mutations and diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes type 2.

Drosophila melanogaster

The fruit fly; a crucial model in developmental biology with a short reproductive cycle of $2$ weeks.

Arabidopsis thaliana

A model organism for plant molecular biology with a genome of $125 imes 10^6$ base pairs, used to study mechanisms like flower development.

HeLa cells

The first and oldest immortalised human cell line, derived from cervical cancer cells taken from Henrietta Lacks in 1951.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

Adult skin cells treated with a cocktail of chemicals to reprogram them back into basic stem cells that can become any cell type.

Zebrafish

A vertebrate model organism with transparent embryos, allowing for the easy observation of early developmental stages.

Mouse (Mus musculus)

The most suitable mammal for genetic analysis due to its similarity to the human genome and the ability to produce models for human disease.