BIOL 231: Cell Biology - Chapter 1 & Course Introduction

Vocabulary flashcards covering introductory cell biology concepts, domain classification, eukaryotic organelles, synthetic cells, and organelle-related medical conditions based on Chapter 1 notes.

Familial Cholesterolemia

A condition where dysfunctional LDL receptors fail to properly clear LDL from the blood, resulting in excess LDL that promotes atherosclerosis and increases the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack.

Three Postulates of the Cell Theory

1. All living organisms are composed of cells. 2. Cells are the basic units of life for all organisms. 3. Cells arise only from preexisting cells by dividing.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The framework describing how genetic information flows in living organisms from DNA to RNA to protein.

Domain Bacteria

Single-celled prokaryotes without a nucleus, typically spherical, rod-shaped, or spiral-shaped, with examples including E. coli, Streptococcus, Salmonella, and Bacillus.

Domain Archaea

Single-celled prokaryotes lacking a nucleus that often live in extreme habitats and possess diverse metabolic strategies.

Methanogens

A type of Archaea that obtains energy from hydrogen and converts $CO_2$ into methane.

Halophiles

Archaea that occupy extremely salty environments.

Thermacidophiles

Archaea that live in acidic hot springs.

Domain Eukaryotes

Organisms made of single or multicellular cells with a nucleus, including animals, plants, fungi, algae, and protozoa, which are mostly 1000 to 10,000 times larger than bacteria.

SpudCell

A synthetic cell created in a lab using a lipid-based membrane bubble, minimal synthetic DNA made in the lab, and ribosomes borrowed from E. coli.

Cytosol

The fluid portion of the cytoplasm.

Cytoplasm

All contents found between the plasma membrane and the nucleus.

Mitochondria

Organelles found in animal and plant cells that produce ATP for the cell.

Chloroplasts

Organelles specific to plant cells that carry out photosynthesis.

Nucleus

An organelle present in eukaryotes that stores DNA and serves as the site for replication and transcription.

Lysosomes

Organelles present in animal cells that digest and recycle cellular components.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle present in animal and plant cells that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.

Peroxisomes

Organelles in eukaryotic cells that carry out oxidative reactions, especially those involving hydrogen peroxide.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (rER)

A region of the endoplasmic reticulum responsible for the synthesis of secreted and membrane proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (sER)

A region of the endoplasmic reticulum responsible for lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Cytoskeleton

A cellular structure that provides cell shape and organization, and enables movement, intracellular transport, and cell division.

Ribosomes

Cellular structures present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells that carry out protein synthesis.

Vacuoles

Organelles responsible for storage and degradation; plant cells feature a central vacuole that helps maintain turgor pressure.

Centrioles

Structures found in animal cells that organize microtubules and contribute to spindle formation during cell division.

Goblet Cell

A specialized cell type containing a high abundance of smooth ER and Golgi apparatus, adapted for secretion.

Achondrogenesis

A disorder causing severe malformation of bones and cartilage, where infants are usually born prematurely and are stillborn or die shortly after birth.

Tay-Sachs Disease

A disease where infants begin missing developmental milestones after 6 months of age, displaying symptoms like loss of learned skills, blindness, a cherry red macular spot, and death by 5 years of age.

Diamond-Blackfan Anemia

A condition where bone marrow does not make enough blood cells, leading to short stature, delayed puberty, and abnormal features involving the face, head, and hands in 50% of patients.