Anat & Phys Concept 1: Biology Review Vocab

cell

most basic structural/functional unit of life

organelle

specialized structures within a cell that work together to help the cell function

macromolecule

large polymers made of monomers, linked through covalent bonds

nucleotide

monomer for nucleic acids: A, T, G, C, U (informational molecules, blueprint for life, stores/transmits/expresses genetic info and protein instruction)

fatty acid

monomer for lipids (long term energy storage, structural in cell membrane, protection, insulation)

monosaccharide

monomer for carbohydrates (short term energy storage, structure, transport stored energy, cell-cell recognition)

amino acid

monomer for proteins (everything else molecules: enzymes, signaling, receptors, structural, regulatory, etc.)

enzyme

proteins, bio catalysts (one job, HIGHLY specific & can denature). remain unchanged after the reaction and can be reused

catalyst

speed up biochemical reactions by lowering activation energy needed to get reaction going

active site

where substrates (reactants) bind to on an enzyme; if its shape gets changed, the enzyme can no longer function as it should

differentiation

stem cells/undifferentiated cells undergoing specialization to become specific cells w/ specific functions (controlled by gene expression)

passes easily through the plasma membrane

non-polar, hydrophobic, neutral molecules, small molecules

doesn't pass easily through the plasma membrane

polar molecules, large molecules

cytoskeleton

support the cell, maintain its shape, motility, regulate biochemical activities

centrioles

used during cell division, pull chromosomes apart during anaphase

cilia

short/numerous, move fluid across cell surface

flagella

longer/fewer, allows cell to move through extracellular fluid

nucleus

protects DNA that controls cell activity

nucleolus

makes ribosomes

ribosomes

make proteins (rough ER: proteins exit cell, cytoplasm: use in cell)

rough ER

where proteins are made/packaged, vesicle delivers them to golgi

vesicles

transport proteins out/around cell

smooth ER

makes lipids for the membrane, modifies small molecules, degrades glycogen, stores Ca+2

golgi apparatus

receives vesicles of protein from the rough ER, modifies/processes them and ships them where needed

lysosomes

breaks down dead stuff (food, waste, etc.), can perform apoptosis

vacuole

stores water, nutrients, etc

mitochondria

performs cellular respiration (glucose made into ATP)