Ch 8: Analyzing Cells, Molecules, and Systems Vocabulary

Flashcards of key vocabulary terms and definitions from Chapter 8 Lecture Notes

Tissues

Complex arrangements of cells in multicellular organisms that perform specific functions. These can be broken down into individual components and studied.

Cell Lines

Established from primary cultures, these are populations of cells that can proliferate indefinitely in vitro, often due to genetic mutations or modifications.

Hybridoma Cells

Artificially created cells formed by fusing an antibody-producing B cell with a myeloma cell to produce a continuous supply of monoclonal antibodies.

Protein Purification

A series of procedures used to isolate a single type of protein from a complex mixture, utilizing techniques like subcellular fractionation and chromatography.

Homogenate/Extract

A crude mixture of all cellular components, including organelles, resulting from the disruption of cells.

Microsomes

Vesicles derived from fragmented endoplasmic reticulum after cell homogenization, retaining ER-associated biochemical activities.

Preparative Ultracentrifuge

A centrifuge that applies very high speeds to separate organelles and macromolecules based on size, shape, and density.

Cell Homogenate

The result of cell fractionation, containing essential elements such as ribosomes, tRNAs, and enzymes needed for protein synthesis.

Cell-Free System

A biochemical assay conducted in vitro using purified cellular components to study specific cellular processes under controlled conditions.

Column Chromatography

A method to separate proteins based on their physical or chemical properties as they move through a stationary matrix.

Electrophoresis

A laboratory technique that separates molecules based on their charge and size by applying an electric field.

SDS Polyacrylamide-Gel Electrophoresis

A type of electrophoresis that separates proteins based on size using a polyacrylamide gel and the denaturing agent SDS.

Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS)

An anionic detergent that denatures proteins by disrupting noncovalent interactions and causing them to unfold.

Biochemical Activity of a Protein

The specific biological function that a given protein carries out in a cell, often determined by sequence homology.

Recombinant DNA Technology

The process of manipulating DNA sequences, either in test tubes or within living organisms, to create new genetic combinations.

Gene

The heritable unit encoding a protein or RNA molecule; a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for a specific biological product.

Genome

The entire set of genetic material in an organism, including all of its genes and non-coding DNA.

Genotype

The specific genetic makeup of a cell or organism, often influencing observable traits.

Phenotype

The physical expression of genetic traits in an organism, resulting from interactions between its genetic makeup and the environment.

Lethal Mutation

A mutation that results in the death of a cell or organism.

Loss-of-Function Mutation

A mutation that results in reduced or abolished activity of a gene.

Gain-of-Function Mutation

A mutation that confers new or enhanced activity on a protein.

Suppressor Mutation

A mutation that cancels the effect of another mutation, leading to a restoration of the original phenotype.

Random Mutagenesis

A genetics approach that induces mutations randomly in the genome and screens for mutants with a specific phenotype.

Reverse Genetic Techniques

Experimental techniques where genes are intentionally modified and reintroduced into an organism to study their effects.

Macromolecular Interactions

The specific binding that occurs between proteins, nucleic acids, and other large molecules that can impact transcription or signaling.