Tour of the eukaryotic cell - Vocabulary flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering nucleus, DNA, RNA, ribosomes, ER (rough and smooth), Golgi apparatus (cis and trans faces), vesicles, lysosomes, phagocytosis, endomembrane system, and the central dogma.

Nucleus

Membrane-bound organelle that houses DNA and is the site where RNA is transcribed.

DNA

Genetic material stored in the nucleus; acts as the cookbook for proteins.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid transcribed from DNA that carries genetic instructions to ribosomes.

Nuclear pore complex

Protein channels in the nuclear envelope through which RNA exits the nucleus.

mRNA (messenger RNA)

RNA that carries instructions to synthesize a specific protein.

rRNA (ribosomal RNA)

RNA component of ribosomes; along with proteins forms the ribosome.

Ribosome

Molecular machine that reads mRNA and builds a protein by linking amino acids; made of protein and rRNA.

Nucleolus

Region inside the nucleus where rRNA is synthesized and ribosome assembly begins.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

Network of membrane-bound sacs connected to the nucleus; site of protein synthesis and trafficking.

Rough ER

ER studded with bound ribosomes; starting point for protein packaging and shipping.

Smooth ER

ER lacking ribosomes; major site of lipid (phospholipid) synthesis and steroid production; calcium storage in muscle.

Golgi apparatus

Stack of flattened membrane sacs that sorts, processes, and packages proteins for delivery; cis receives, trans sends.

Cis face

Receiving side of the Golgi apparatus where vesicles deliver proteins.

Trans face

Sending side of the Golgi apparatus where processed proteins exit in vesicles.

Transport vesicle

Vesicle that carries proteins from ER to Golgi or from Golgi to final destination (organelle or plasma membrane).

Lysosome

Digestive organelle with enzymes in an acidic environment; breaks down macromolecules.

Phagocytosis

Cellular 'eating' where cells engulf large particles/pathogens for digestion in lysosomes.

Endomembrane system

Interconnected membrane-bound organelles (ER, Golgi, lysosomes, etc.) that regulate protein traffic and metabolism.

Central dogma

DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is translated into proteins.