The Endomembrane System of Eukaryotic Cells

These flashcards cover the key vocabulary and concepts related to the endomembrane system in eukaryotic cells, based on lecture notes.

Endomembrane System

A system in eukaryotic cells that includes various membrane-bound organelles and is involved in compartmentalization and transport of materials within the cell.

Compartmentalization

The process of keeping cellular processes separated within distinct cellular compartments, which can create ion gradients and separate toxins.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

An organelle involved in protein synthesis and lipid synthesis, existing in two forms: rough ER (with ribosomes) and smooth ER (without ribosomes).

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that processes and packages proteins and lipids, receiving cargo from the endoplasmic reticulum at its cis face.

Lysosomes

Organelles that contain hydrolytic enzymes for digestion of macromolecules, damaged organelles, and food vacuoles.

Autophagy

The process by which lysosomes break down damaged organelles.

Peroxisomes

Organelles involved in the degradation of fatty acids and the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide.

Cisternae

Flattened membrane-bound compartments in the Golgi apparatus where cargo molecules are processed.

Glycoproteins

Proteins that have sugar residues attached, often found in the plasma membrane and involved in cell signaling.

Post-Translational Modifications

Chemical modifications of a protein after its synthesis, which can affect its function and localization.