Microorganisms and Biological Membranes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to microorganisms and biological membranes from the lecture notes.

Plasma Membrane

The cell boundary that encloses compartments, controls movement of materials, and allows for cell interaction and response to stimuli.

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model describing the plasma membrane as a two-dimensional fluid structure with diverse components such as proteins, carbohydrates, and cholesterol interspersed within the lipid bilayer.

Amphipathic Molecules

Molecules that have both hydrophobic (non-polar) and hydrophilic (polar) regions; phospholipids are a prime example.

Hydrophilic

A term describing molecules that are attracted to water and can dissolve in it.

Hydrophobic

A term describing molecules that do not interact with water or are repelled by it.

Provirus

Viral DNA that is integrated into the host genome as part of a viral infection.

Lytic Infection

A type of viral infection where the virus causes the host cell to lyse and release new viral particles.

Integrative Infection

A viral infection in which viral genetic material is integrated into the host genome.

Vesicle

A small membrane-bound sac that carries materials within a cell.

Phospholipid Synthesis

The process by which phospholipids are created at the interface of the cytosol and the outer endoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Lipid Rafts

Microdomains within the plasma membrane that are rich in cholesterol and sphingolipids, which play a role in signaling and protein sorting.

Transition Temperature

The temperature at which a membrane shifts from a liquid crystal state to a crystalline gel state, affecting membrane fluidity.

Cholesterol

A lipid that modulates membrane fluidity, stabilizing membranes at high temperatures and preventing clustering at low temperatures.

Integral Membrane Proteins

Proteins that span the lipid bilayer and are involved in various functions such as transport and communication.

Peripheral Membrane Proteins

Proteins that are associated with the surface of the lipid bilayer but do not span the membrane.

Glycolipids

Lipids with carbohydrate groups attached, found in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane.

Sphingolipids

A class of lipids that are part of the plasma membrane structure, involved in cell recognition and signaling.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane that facilitate ATP synthesis.

Dendritic Cells

A type of immune cell that helps process antigen material and present it to T-cells.

RNA vaccines

Vaccines that use messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce an antigen that triggers an immune response.