Cell Biology: Compartmentalization, Organelles, and Gene Mutation

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular compartmentalization, organelles, vesicles, adaptations of mitochondria and chloroplasts, protein processing, and gene mutations.

Organelles

Structures inside cells that perform specific jobs to keep the cell alive, designed with a form that properly suits their function.

Non-Organelle Cellular Components

Structures within or surrounding the cell that are classified as not organelles, specifically including cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, and the cell wall.

Cell Fractionation

A set of methods developed alongside ultracentrifuges that allows for the separation of cell components to study the function of individual organelles.

Nuclear Envelope Pores

Structures in the nuclear envelope that control entry and exit, allowing mRNA to pass to the cytoplasm while protecting DNA from damaging molecules.

Prokaryotic Transcription and Translation

Simultaneous processes in prokaryotes where transcription and translation occur at the same time because DNA and ribosomes share the same space without a nucleus.

Post-Transcriptional Modification

The processing of mRNA in eukaryotes before translation, which includes capping, polyadenylation, and splicing.

Vesicles

Small, membrane-bound sacs composed of a phospholipid bilayer that enclose a fluid-filled space and carry various substances.

Clathrin

A coat protein that assembles on the cytoplasmic face of the membrane to cause it to curve inward during budding.

Enzyme-Substrate Collision Frequency

A benefit of compartmentalization where concentrating specific enzymes and their substrates into a small volume increases reaction speed.

Lysosome pH Microenvironment

The specific internal pH of lysosomes maintained between $4.5$ and $5.1$, distinct from the cytoplasm pH of $7.2$.

Mitochondrion Respiration Adaptations

Structural adaptations for ATP production including a double membrane with a small intermembrane space volume, a large cristae surface area, and Krebs cycle enzyme compartmentalization in the matrix.

Chloroplast Photosynthesis Adaptations

Structural adaptations including a large surface area of thylakoids, small fluid volumes inside photosystems, and Calvin cycle enzyme compartmentalization in the stroma.

Perinuclear Space

The narrow space separating the selective inner and outer membranes of the nuclear double membrane.

Free Ribosomes

Ribosomes suspended in the cytoplasm that synthesize proteins meant for retention within the cell.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum Ribosomes

Membrane-bound ribosomes on the rough ER that synthesize proteins intended for transport within the cell and secretion.

Glycosylation

The trimming of carbohydrate chains in the Golgi apparatus to produce glycoproteins used for cell recognition and signalling.

Secretory Vesicles

Vesicles sorted at the trans face of the Golgi apparatus that carry proteins to the plasma membrane for release by exocytosis.

Mutagen

Substances that provoke mutations by reacting with and damaging DNA.

Silent Mutation

A gene mutation where the altered sequence still codes for the exact same process even after being changed.

Sickle Cell Anemia

An example of a condition caused by a random gene mutation.