Cell Biology and Homeostasis

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to cell biology and homeostasis.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound organelle that contains a cell's genetic material.

Mitochondria

Organelles that are the powerhouses of the cell, generating ATP through cellular respiration.

Golgi complex

An organelle that modifies and packages proteins for secretion.

Endoplasmic reticulum

An organelle involved in the synthesis of proteins and lipids.

Lysosome

A cellular organelle that contains digestive enzymes to break down waste.

Cellular metabolism

All chemical reactions that occur within a cell to maintain life.

Catabolic pathways

Metabolic pathways that break down molecules and release energy.

Anabolic pathways

Metabolic pathways that build complex molecules from simpler ones.

Glycolysis

The process that converts glucose into pyruvate, generating ATP in the process.

Citric acid cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

Electron transport chain

A series of protein complexes in mitochondria that produce ATP using electrons from NADH and FADH2.

Fermentation

The metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

Homeostasis

The state of steady internal conditions maintained by living organisms.

Negative feedback

A control mechanism that counteracts deviations from a set point to maintain homeostasis.

Positive feedback

A control mechanism that amplifies changes and pushes a system away from its starting state.