Anatomy & Physiology Weeks 3 & 4: Cells, Cellular Processes, and Tissues

Comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic cell structures, organelles, membrane transport, protein synthesis, cell division, and histology from Weeks 3 and 4 lecture notes.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of the body.

Plasma membrane

The selectively permeable outer boundary of the cell, composed primarily of a phospholipid bilayer with proteins and cholesterol.

Hydrophilic heads

The portion of membrane phospholipids that is attracted to water.

Hydrophobic tails

The portion of membrane phospholipids that avoids water.

Nucleus

Organelle containing DNA that directs cellular activities through gene expression.

Nucleolus

Structure within the nucleus that produces components needed to assemble ribosomes.

Ribosomes

Cellular structures that serve as the site of protein synthesis.

Mitochondria

Organelles that produce most ATP during aerobic cellular respiration.

Rough ER

Endoplasmic reticulum covered with ribosomes that produces and processes many proteins.

Smooth ER

Endoplasmic reticulum involved in lipid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium storage in some cells.

Golgi apparatus

Organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.

Lysosomes

Organelles containing digestive enzymes that break down damaged structures and cellular material.

Centrosome/centrioles

Structures that help organize microtubules and the mitotic spindle.

Cytoskeleton

Cellular structure that helps maintain cell shape and supports movement and intracellular organization.

Passive transport

Membrane transport category that does NOT directly require cellular energy.

Active transport

Membrane transport category requiring energy, directly or indirectly, to move substances against their concentration/electrochemical gradient.

Diffusion

Movement of particles down a concentration gradient from high concentration to low concentration until equilibrium is approached, without directly requiring ATP.

Facilitated diffusion

Movement of substances from high to low concentration requiring membrane channel or carrier proteins, without directly requiring ATP.

Osmosis

Diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane toward the side with the higher effective concentration of nonpenetrating solutes.

Isotonic solution

A solution in which there is no net water movement that changes cell volume, so the cell generally stays the same size.

Hypotonic solution

A solution where water moves into the cell, causing the cell to swell and potentially lyse ("HYPO = cell gets puffy").

Hypertonic solution

A solution where water moves out of the cell, causing the cell to shrink ("HYPER = cell shrivels").

Sodium-potassium pump

Active transport pump mechanism that pumps $3\,\text{Na}^+$ out and $2\,\text{K}^+$ in per ATP used.

Vesicular transport

Transport method used to move larger substances or quantities across the cell membrane.

Endocytosis

Vesicular transport mechanism that brings material into the cell.

Exocytosis

Vesicular transport mechanism that releases material out of the cell.

Phagocytosis

Type of endocytosis referred to as "cell eating."

Pinocytosis

Type of endocytosis referred to as "cell drinking."

Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Type of endocytosis in which specific molecules bind to receptors before entering the cell.

Gene

A DNA sequence that contributes to a functional product.

Transcription

Process in which DNA information is converted to RNA, occurring in the nucleus in eukaryotic cells.

Translation

Process in which mRNA information is converted into protein, occurring at ribosomes.

Mitosis

Cell division process that produces two genetically very similar daughter cells, important for growth, tissue repair, and cell replacement.

Interphase

Cell cycle phase where the cell grows and performs normal functions, consisting of $G_1$, $S$ phase (when DNA is replicated), and $G_2$.

PMAT

Mnemonic memory device for the main stages of mitosis: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.

Prophase

Mitotic phase during which chromosomes condense and the mitotic spindle develops.

Metaphase

Mitotic phase during which chromosomes line up near the middle of the cell.

Anaphase

Mitotic phase during which sister chromatids separate.

Telophase

Mitotic phase during which new nuclei form.

Cytokinesis

Division of the cytoplasm.

Histology

The study of tissues.

ECMN

Mnemonic memory device for the four primary tissue types: Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Nervous.

Epithelial tissue

Primary tissue type that covers body surfaces, lines cavities and hollow organs, and forms many glands.

Simple epithelium

Epithelial tissue consisting of one layer of cells.

Stratified epithelium

Epithelial tissue consisting of multiple layers of cells.

Squamous cells

Flat epithelial cell shape as observed at the apical surface.

Cuboidal cells

Cube-shaped epithelial cell shape as observed at the apical surface.

Columnar cells

Tall epithelial cell shape as observed at the apical surface.

Simple squamous epithelium

Tissue consisting of one layer of thin, flat cells that functions in diffusion and filtration.