Goal 3: Cells, Organelles, and DNA Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards derived from the lecture notes covering cell membrane structure, organelles, transport, cellular respiration, nuclear structures, and genetics.

Cell Membrane

Provides a protective barrier around the cell and regulates which materials can pass through or out.

Cholesterol (Membrane)

A lipid molecule located in the tail region of the membrane that stabilizes the structural integrity of the fluid membrane.

Carbohydrates (Membrane)

Molecules attached to proteins or phosphate heads in the cell membrane that create lubrication.

Integral Protein

A protein embedded in the membrane whose main functions are transport, signaling, and adhesion.

Peripheral Protein

A protein that sticks temporarily to the surface of a cell membrane, functioning in cell signaling, structural support, enzyme activity, and helping carry small molecules or electrons.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane that occurs when there is an imbalance of solutes outside of a cell.

Hypertonic

A solution that has a higher concentration of solutes than another solution.

Hypotonic

A solution that has a lower concentration of solutes than another solution.

Isotonic

Two solutions that have the same concentration of solutes.

Facilitated Diffusion

The diffusion process used for substances that cannot cross the lipid bilayer due to their size, charge, and/or polarity.

Active Transport

A membrane transport process where carrier proteins serve as pumps that use ATP to move molecules or ions across the membrane, usually against their concentration.

Endocytosis

The process of a cell ingesting material by enveloping it in a portion of membrane, which becomes an independent intracellular vesicle.

Exocytosis

The process of a cell exporting material using vesicular transport.

Cytoskeleton

The structural framework of a cell, composed of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, thick filaments, and microtubules.

Ribosomes and Endoplasmic Reticulum

Cellular structures that function as the transportation highway and protein makers.

Golgi Apparatus

The organelle that serves as the packaging center of the cell.

Peroxisomes

Organelles that function as the detox center of the cell.

Lysosomes

Organelles that function as the garbage disposals of the cell.

Mitochondria

Organelles that serve as the power packs of the cell.

Cellular Respiration

The process cells use to generate ATP (cells fuel), consisting of a three-step process: Glycolysis, Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle), and Electron Transport System.

Nucleus

The largest and most prominent cell organelle; serves as the control center by storing all genetic instructions for manufacturing proteins.

Nuclear Envelope

The membrane surrounding the nucleus.

Nuclear Pores

Tiny pathways for the passage of proteins, RNA, and solutes between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.

Nucleolus

An area inside the nucleus where RNA and ribosomal subunits are made.

Chromosome

A structure composed of DNA and proteins; humans have $22,000$ distinct genes distributed across chromosomes.

DNA Replication

The process where the DNA split lengthwise as hydrogen bonds break, creating a copy for each side when a cell replicates.

Phases of Mitosis

The stages of nuclear cell division, which include early prophase, late prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and interphase.

Cancer

A condition caused by abnormal cells that multiply continuously without stopping, damaging surrounding tissue and spreading to other parts of the body.

Gene

Units of information in DNA that code for one or two proteins, conferring specific traits.

Translation

The synthesis of a protein requiring mRNA, ribosomes, tRNA, amino acids, and ATP.

Electron Transport System

The final stage in cellular respiration, which is aerobic.

Pyruvate

The end product of glycolysis in the presence of oxygen.