The Endomembrane System and Protein Sorting

A series of flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the endomembrane system and protein sorting in eukaryotic cells.

Endomembrane System

A system of membranes in eukaryotic cells that divides the cell into compartments, allowing for specialized functions.

Trafficking

The movement of lipids and proteins between organelles that must be tightly regulated.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A continuous network of flattened sacs, tubules, and vesicles involved in protein and lipid synthesis.

Cisternae

Membrane-bound sacs within the endoplasmic reticulum.

Rough ER

The region of the endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached, involved in protein synthesis.

Smooth ER

The region of the endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes, involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Glycoproteins

Proteins with carbohydrate chains attached, synthesized in the rough ER.

Transitional Elements (TEs)

Subdomains of rough ER that form transition vesicles transporting materials to the Golgi complex.

Drug Detoxification

The process of modifying drugs to make them more soluble and easier to excrete.

Cotranslational Import

The process where polypeptides are inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum during their synthesis.

Glycosylation

The addition of carbohydrate side chains to proteins, occurring in the ER and Golgi.

Signal Hypothesis

The theory explaining how ER signal sequences direct polypeptides to the endoplasmic reticulum.

SNARE Proteins

Proteins that mediate the fusion of vesicles with their target membranes.

Autophagy

The process of degrading and recycling cellular components through the formation of autophagic vacuoles.

Lysosomal Enzymes

Enzymes contained in lysosomes that digest biological macromolecules.

Peroxisomes

Organelles involved in the metabolism of hydrogen peroxide and other compounds.

Endocytosis

The process through which cells internalize materials from their external environment.

Exocytosis

The process where vesicles release their contents outside the cell.

Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis

The uptake of specific macromolecules via receptors on the cell surface.