Biol 2085C - Spring 2026 Lecture Review Flashcards

A collection of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on cytoskeleton, cell cycle, signaling pathways, and apoptosis for effective exam preparation.

Cytoskeleton

A network of protein filaments and tubules in the cytoplasm that provides structure and shape to cells.

Microtubules

Hollow tubes made of α-tubulin and β-tubulin heterodimers; they are rigid and involved in cell shape, intracellular transport, and cell division.

Kinesin

A motor protein that transports cargo toward the plus end of microtubules (cell periphery) using ATP hydrolysis.

Dynein

A motor protein that transports cargo toward the minus end of microtubules (cell center) using ATP hydrolysis.

Centrosome

The microtubule organizing center of the cell, consisting of two centrioles and pericentriolar material.

Primary Cilium

A single, non-motile projection on many mammalian cells that functions in signal reception.

Intraflagellar Transport (IFT)

Bidirectional movement of protein complexes along axonemal microtubules, crucial for the assembly and maintenance of cilia/flagella.

Excitation-Contraction Coupling

The process that links muscle action potentials to muscle contraction via the release of calcium ions.

Cell Cycle Control

Regulated by cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), governing the progression through different phases of the cell cycle.

Caspases

Cysteine proteases that act as the executioners of apoptosis, initiated by either extrinsic or intrinsic pathways.

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs)

Cell surface receptors that, upon ligand binding, undergo dimerization and trans-autophosphorylation to activate downstream signaling pathways.

MAPK Pathway

A signaling cascade activated by growth factors that leads to increased gene expression and cell proliferation, often involving Ras.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death characterized by specific cellular changes, crucial for normal development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis.

Dynamic Instability

A characteristic of microtubules that describes the rapid switching between polymerization and depolymerization.

S-phase

The phase of the cell cycle in which DNA synthesis and replication occur, prior to mitosis.

Cancer

A disease characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, often linked to mutations in genes regulating the cell cycle or apoptosis.