Physio (VM 250) Week 1 - Cell Structure and Function

Anticodon

A set of 3 bases on tRNA that match a codon on the mRNA

Cellular Respiration

Process of converting glucose to make ATP through glycolysis, kreb's cycle and electron transport chain

Cellulose

A structural carbohydrate in plants made of straight chains of glucose to make plant cells rigid

Codon

A set of 3 bases (can be DNA nucleotide or RNA nucleotides bases)

Cytoplasm

The gel-like material within the plasma membrane of a cell, contains the cytosol and organelles

Cytosol

The fluid portion of the cytoplasm

Disaccharides

A double-unit sugar formed by bonding a pair of monosaccharides, such as lactose and sucrose

Endocytosis

An active transport mechanism that moves extracellular substances into a cell via phagocytosis, pinocytosis or receptor-mediated endocytosis

Exocytosis

An active transport mechanism that involves movement of vesicle-bound substances out of the cell; vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane and contents are released outside the cell

Extracellular Fluid

Liquid located outside body cells, such as plasma, lymph, and interstitial fluid

Fatty Acids

Building blocks of lipids, contain hydrocarbon chains and carboxylic acid groups

Glycolipids

Phospholipid with a carbohydrate chain attached to it

Glycogen

A polysaccharide consisting of a long chain of glucose units; found mainly in liver and skeletal muscle cells

Hydrophilic

Water-loving (water soluble)

Hydrophobic

Water-fearing (lipid soluble)

Hypertonic

A high concentration of solute in water (ie. High Na+ (sodium) concentration (the solute) in H2O (the solution)) (shrunken cells)

Hypotonic

A low concentration of solute in water (ie. Low Na+ (sodium) concentration (the solute) in H2O (the solution)) (swollen cells)

Intracellular Fluid

The fluid component within a cell

Isotonic

Solution that contains the same concentration of solutes as an adjacent cell; causes cells to neither shrink nor swell

Lipid-Soluble

A molecule/substance is able to pass through lipids and is usually non-polar

Metabolism

Sum of all chemical activities in the body

Microfilaments

Thin protein fibers commonly found at the periphery of the cell; and they anchor the cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane. Make up the framework of the cytoskeleton, also called actin or myosin

Microtubules

Hollow tubes of protein that can act as tracks along which organelles move. Found in all body cells and are the framework of the cytoskeleton.

Monosaccharides

A simple, single-unit sugar such as glucose and fructose

Organ

A group of tissues that performs a specific function

Osmolality

Total solute concentration within a specific solution

Phagocytosis

Type of endocytosis; process in which microorganisms or other large particles are engulfed by the plasma membrane and enter the cell

Phospholipids

A lipid that contains a phosphate group

Polysaccharides

An organic macromolecule; a complex sugar formed by bonding many monosaccharides in a long chain, such as starch or cellulose

Potential energy

Potential to do work, stored energy that can be transformed into kinetic energy. Concentration gradients are potential energy sources for cells to do work.

Starch

Polysaccharide found in plants and is composed of a long chain of glucose molecules that function as stored energy.

Tissue

Group of similar cells that perform a common function

Transcription

The process of using DNA to create mRNA through the use of RNA polymerase unzipping DNA to allow it to be copied into mRNA

Translation

The process of using mRNA to make a polypeptide through the use of a ribosome reading the mRNA and using tRNA to build the chain of amino acids (polypeptide)

Triglycerides

A lipid that contains 3 fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone. This is the fats and oils that animals consume in their diets.

Vacuole

Helps with the storage and disposal of substances in the cell, they can store waste products.

Water-soluble

A molecule or substance is able to be dissolved in water.

Amino acids

What are the building blocks of proteins?

ATP

What is the main source of energy for the body?