Microbiology and Cell Biology Lecture Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards reviewing water properties, macromolecule structures, chemical linkages, and cellular distinctions between prokaryotes and eukaryotes based on the lecture notes.

Solvent

A liquid in which substances dissolve, such as water in biological systems.

Solute

A substance that can be dissolved in a liquid, such as salt.

Solution

The final product resulting from a solute dissolving in a solvent.

Neutral pH

A pH level of $7$ where pure water has an equal concentration of $H^+$ and $OH^-$ ions.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds made of $1$ or more simple sugars with a ratio of $1$ carbon : $2$ hydrogens : $1$ oxygen.

Dehydration Reaction

A reaction that removes water ($H_2O$) to form a covalent bond connecting monosaccharides.

Sucrose

A disaccharide formed by joining glucose and fructose through a dehydration reaction.

Cellulose

A glucose polysaccharide found only in plants that consists of a long single chain with no branching.

Glycogen

A glucose polysaccharide found in animals and bacteria that features branching with $1\text{--}4$ linkages.

Dextran

A glucose polysaccharide found only in bacteria that features branching with $1\text{--}6$ linkages.

Phospholipid

A lipid composed of $1$ glycerol, $2$ fatty acids, and $1$ phosphate group, featuring a polar hydrophilic head and a non-polar hydrophobic tail.

Triglycerides

Lipid molecules made of $1$ glycerol and $3$ fatty acids.

Steroids

Lipid molecules made of $4$ carbon rings, which are uncommon in bacteria.

Proteins

Macromolecules made of chains of $20$ different amino acids linked together to create polypeptide chains.

Amino Acid Structure

The structural backbone of an amino acid consisting of an amino group ($N\text{--}C\text{--}C$), a side chain, and a carboxyl group.

Protein Denaturation

The loss of protein function caused by high heat, extreme pH, or certain solvents.

Nucleic Acids

Chains of nucleotides that store genetic material as DNA and RNA using $5$ nucleotide monomers ($A$, $T$, $G$, $C$, $U$).

D-O-R-A

A memory mnemonic for comparing prokaryotes and eukaryotes, standing for DNA, Organelles, Reproduction, and Average size/Envelope.

Eukaryotic DNA

Double-stranded, diploid DNA containing introns that wraps around histone proteins to form linear chromosomes in a membrane-bound nucleus.

Prokaryotic DNA

Double-stranded, haploid DNA without histones or introns, stored as a circular chromosome in the nucleoid.

Organelle

A membrane-bound structure inside a cell with a specific job to perform.

Prokaryotic Ribosomes

Non-membrane-bound structures located in the cytoplasm responsible for protein synthesis with a size of $70S$ RNA.

Eukaryotic Ribosomes

Structures located in the cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum responsible for protein synthesis with a size of $80S$ RNA.

Conjugation

Horizontal gene transfer mechanism used by prokaryotes to share genetic information within the same generation using sex pili.

Micrometer (\text{\textmu m})

A microscopic unit of length where 1\text{\textmu m} = 0.0001\text{ cm} = 0.00004\text{ inch}.

Cell Envelope

A protective outer structure of prokaryotic cells consisting of the plasma membrane, cell wall, and capsule.

Passive Diffusion

The movement of gases and small hydrophobic molecules across the plasma membrane from high to low solute concentration without requiring energy or help.

Facilitated Diffusion

The transport of sugars, amino acids, and ions across the plasma membrane down a concentration gradient.