Cytoskeleton Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the cytoskeleton, its components, cellular structures, and the cell cycle.

Cytoskeleton

A complex network of proteins providing cell rigidity, maintenance of form, motility, transport of substances, and morphological differentiation.

Actin Microfilaments

Thin filaments (~8 nm in diameter) composed of globular actin proteins; involved in various cellular processes, including movement and shape maintenance.

Microtubules

Hollow tubes (~25 nm in diameter) made from tubulin proteins; important for structural support and intracellular transport.

Intermediate Filaments

Cytoskeletal components that provide mechanical stability to cells and are composed of fibrous proteins.

Polymerization

The process where small units (subunits) combine to form a larger complex structure, such as filaments in the cytoskeleton.

Depolymerization

The process of breaking down a polymer into its constituent monomers; in cytoskeleton context, it refers to the breakdown of filamentous structures.

G-actin

Globular actin, the monomeric form of actin that polymerizes to form filamentous actin (F-actin).

F-actin

Filamentous actin, the polymerized form of G-actin, involved in a variety of cellular functions.

Centrosome

A microtubule-organizing center in animal cells comprised of two centrioles; it plays a crucial role in cell division.

MTOC (Microtubule Organizing Center)

A cellular structure that nucleates microtubule formation and regulates their number, length, and polarity.

Dynein

A motor protein that moves along microtubules toward the minus end, playing a role in vesicle transport and ciliary motion.

Kinesin

A motor protein that moves along microtubules toward the plus end; involved in transport of cellular cargo.

Cilia

Short, hair-like structures on the surface of cells, involved in movement and fluid transport across the cell surface.

Flagella

Long, whip-like structures used for locomotion in some cells, involving complex movement mechanisms.

Nucleation

The initial step in polymer formation where small aggregates form to create a template for further polymerization.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

A high-energy molecule that serves as the energy currency of the cell, required for various cellular processes including polymerization.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis, containing the pigment chlorophyll.

Lysosomes

Organelles containing digestive enzymes, important for intracellular digestion and waste processing.

Peroxisomes

Organelles responsible for breaking down fatty acids and detoxification, containing enzymes that catalyze oxidative reactions.

Cell Cycle

The series of events that cells go through as they grow and divide, including interphase and mitosis.

G1 Phase

The first gap phase of interphase where the cell grows and synthesizes proteins required for DNA replication.

S Phase

The synthesis phase of the cell cycle where DNA is replicated.

G2 Phase

The second gap phase of interphase where the cell prepares for mitosis by creating the necessary proteins and organelles.

Mitosis

A process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells.