Cellular Biology Review

These flashcards cover key concepts from cellular biology, particularly focusing on metabolic pathways, DNA processes, and genetic engineering techniques.

Anabolism

The construction phase of a cell, using energy and raw materials to build complex structures like proteins and DNA.

Precursor Metabolites

A small set of starting blocks (12 total) produced during major catabolic pathways, used in anabolic reactions.

Glycolysis

A major catabolic pathway that produces precursor metabolites such as glucose 6-phosphate and pyruvate.

Pentose Phosphate Pathway

A metabolic pathway that provides ribose 5-phosphate, a precursor for nucleotide synthesis.

TCA Cycle (Krebs Cycle)

A metabolic pathway essential for energy production that also produces key precursor metabolites like Acetyl-CoA and succinyl-CoA.

Peptidoglycan Synthesis

The process of building the bacterial cell wall involving UDP, NAM, NAG, and bactoprenol.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

A molecule found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, composed of lipid and carbohydrate components.

Organic Nitrogen Incorporation

The process by which cells take ammonia and integrate it into organic compounds like amino acids.

Nitrogen Fixation

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen ($N_2$) into ammonia ($NH_3$), a process catalyzed by nitrogenase.

Gluconeogenesis

The synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors, essentially the reverse of glycolysis.

Anaplerotic Reactions

Reactions that replenish TCA cycle intermediates that have been pulled out for biosynthesis.

DNA Complementary Base Pairing

A principle where adenine pairs with thymine and guanine pairs with cytosine, essential for DNA replication.

Bidirectional Replication

The replication process where DNA synthesis occurs simultaneously in two directions from the origin of replication.

Promoter

A specific DNA sequence where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Riboswitch

A part of mRNA that can bind a metabolite, regulating gene expression through changes in RNA structure.

CRISPR-Cas System

A bacterial immune system that uses crRNA and Cas proteins to recognize and cut foreign viral DNA.

Telomerase

An enzyme that extends the telomeres of linear chromosomes to prevent loss of genetic information during replication.

Horizontal Gene Transfer

The transfer of DNA between bacteria via transformation, transduction, or conjugation.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A technique used to amplify specific segments of DNA, involving thermal cycling.

Recombinant Proteins

Proteins produced from cloned genes, used in biotechnology for therapeutic applications.