Cytoplasm and Cell Organelles Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular organelles, cytoplasm components, endomembrane transport, and the stages of cellular respiration based on lecture notes.

Cytoplasm

The entire region located between the nuclear envelope and the plasma membrane.

Cytosol

The fluid liquid matrix of the cytoplasm where metabolic reactions occur.

Organelles

Specialized cellular structures suspended within the cytosol.

Free ribosomes

Ribosomes suspended in the cytosol that synthesize proteins meant to stay in the cytosol to assist with local cellular tasks.

Bound ribosomes

Ribosomes attached to cellular membranes (especially the Rough ER) that synthesize proteins destined for membrane embedding, organelle delivery, or secretion outside the cell.

Rough ER

Membranous cisterns with attached ribosomes that function in producing and initiating the processing of proteins.

Smooth ER

Tubular membrane networks without ribosomes whose major functions include lipid synthesis, detoxification, glycogen breakdown, and $Ca^{2+}$ storage.

Endomembrane Transport System

The cooperative process in which the ER synthesizes proteins and lipids, packages them into vesicles, and transports them to the Golgi apparatus for modification, sorting, and final shipping.

Lysosomes

Membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes that break down large materials, digest endocytosed substances, maintain an acidic internal environment, and recycle damaged organelles via autophagy.

Peroxisomes

Small membrane-bound sacs containing oxidases and catalase that break down simple materials, detoxify harmful substances, manage hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), and participate in fatty acid synthesis and breakdown.

Cytoskeleton

A cellular structure that supports cell shape, organizes internal structures, and assists in moving materials within the cell.

Centrosome

The primary microtubule-organizing center of the cell, located near the nucleus and containing a pair of centrioles.

Centrioles

Small, barrel-shaped structures containing 9 triplets of microtubules arranged at right angles that organize the mitotic spindle during cell division and form the bases of cilia and flagella.

Mitochondria

Double-membrane organelles with smooth outer membranes and folded inner membranes (cristae) that generate ATP through aerobic cellular respiration by driving protons through ATP synthase.

Glycolysis

The initial stage of cellular respiration occurring in the cytoplasm (cytosol) that breaks down glucose into 2 pyruvate molecules, producing 2 ATP and 2 NADH.

Intermediate Stage

The stage of cellular respiration occurring in the mitochondrial matrix that converts pyruvate into acetyl-CoA while releasing $CO_2$ and producing NADH.

Citric Acid Cycle

The stage of cellular respiration occurring in the mitochondrial matrix that completely oxidizes acetyl-CoA, producing $CO_2$, ATP, NADH, and $FADH_2$.

Electron transport chain

The final stage of cellular respiration occurring in the inner mitochondrial membrane (cristae) that uses electrons from NADH and $FADH_2$ to power a proton gradient, producing a large amount of ATP and water.