Cells Flashcards
Cellular respiration
The breakdown of organic molecules (such as fat carbohydrates) which make up proteins to produce energy. (preferred source of pathway= glucose)
Cell
The smallest unit of life which completes all MRS GREN functions.
Organelle
A specialised membrane enclosed structure within a cell to perform certain task(s).
Mitochondria
Cell organelle located in cytoplasm responsible for aerobic respiration and ATP recycling.
Plasma Membrane
Cell outer membrane made from a phospholipid bi-layer and proteins which defines shape, controls internal environment and enables transport in / out.
Chloroplast
Plant cell organelle containing chlorophyll where photosynthesis reactions occur.
Ribosome
Small structure located in cytoplasm or on Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) where proteins are synthesised / built.
Cytoplasm
Gel substance filling cells which suspends all organelles, and where all non-organelle specific processes occur (e.g anaerobic respiration).
Cell Wall
Rigid outer structure of plant cells, made of cellulose and provides support.
Aerobic Respiration
Enzyme controlled process within Mitochondria organelles using Oxygen to release and convert energy from glucose for the purpose of recycling many ATP molecules. Waste products are easily removed.
Aerobic Respiration
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + 36ATP
Anaerobic Respiration
Process in the cell cytoplasm to release and convert energy from Glucose without Oxygen. Does not recycle many ATP molecules, and produces additional waste products which must be metabolized in other processes.
Photosynthesis
Enzyme controlled process within Chloroplast organelles using sunlight (UV) energy to break apart H2O and recombine H+ with CO2 into Glucose, and Oxygen.
Photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O –(UV/ chlorophyll)–> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Limiting Factor
An environmental factor found in low supply which causes a reduction in the rate of reaction of a life process.
Denature
To alter the shape of a protein / enzyme by breaking the bonds holding it together, making it unable to carry out its function.
Passive Transport
The movement of ions or molecules across a membrane from a region of high concentration towards low concentration which does not require additional energy.
Active Transport
The movement of ions or molecules across a membrane from low towards higher concentration which does require additional energy and is assisted by proteins / enzymes.
Diffusion
The passive, and random, movements of particles and molecules from an area of high concentration towards low until an equilibrium is reached.
Osmosis
The passive movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of high concentration towards low through a facilitating protein.
Facilitated Diffusion
Diffusion with the assistance or a carrier protein which does not require net additional energy.
Cytosis
Active transport of greater amounts of substances through engulfment by a membrane and formation of vesicles to be released on the other side.
Tonicity
A comparison of solute/solvent concentrations between fluids on either side of a membrane.
Hypertonic
Having a higher solute concentration than solvent.
[solute] > [solvent]
Isotonic
Having equal solute and solvent concentrations.
[solute] = [solvent]
Hypotonic
Having a lower solute concentration than solvent.
[solute] < [solvent]
DNA
A self-replicating molecule which is the main part of chromosomes and carries the full genetic code information.
Nucleotide
The basic monomer building block of nucleic acid molecules (DNA & RNA) made of nitrogenous base (A-T/U, G-C), a phosphate group, and a sugar (Deoxyribose or Ribose).
Base
Functional component of a nucleotide, and code component of genetic information.
Protein
Long chain of amino acids folded and bound in a specific shape to perform a particular biological task.
Enzyme
A class of proteins which act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions.
Catalyst
A substance that increases the rate of a reaction by reducing activation energy requirements and/or improving reactant alignment, without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change. A single catalyst molecule can be reused in many repeats of the reaction.
Active site
A region on an enzyme that binds to a specific target substrate to perform its catalyst function.
Mitosis
A type of cell division that produces 2 daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes, and genetic information, as the parent cell.
Substrate
A molecule upon which an enzyme acts.
DNA Replication
The semi-conservative process of producing genetically identical copies of chromosomes using the original DNA as templates for the new.
Cell cycle
Growth -> DNA Replication -> Mitosis -> Cytokinesis -> Growth->…
Semi-Conservative
Replicated DNA has 1 side original nucleotides and the other side is newly constructed.
Anti-Parallel
Two sides of DNA run 5’ -> 3’ in opposing directions.
Leading Strand
Replicated side of DNA built 5’ -> 3’ following the splitting enzyme in a continuous process.
Lagging Strand
Replicated side of DNA built 5’ -> 3’ away from the splitting enzyme in a discontinuous process of segments.
Okazaki Fragment
Sections of DNA replicated against the lagging strand which need to be joined together in later steps.
