Ch 3 - Ch 5 vocab

Question 1

Active transport

Answer 1

The movement of molecules across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy input from the cell.

Question 2

Amino Acid

Answer 2

The building block of proteins, consisting of an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a unique side chain (R-group) attached to a central carbon atom

Question 3

Carbohydrate

Answer 3

A biological macromolecule composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, typically in a 1:2:1 ratio. Carbohydrates serve as a primary source of energy and play structural roles in cells and organisms.

Question 4

Cell membrane

Answer 4

A selectively permeable barrier that surrounds all cells, regulating the passage of substances into and out of the cell. It is composed primarily of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

Question 5

Chaperonin

Answer 5

A protein that assists in the proper folding of other proteins.

Question 6

Cholesterol

Answer 6

A type of steroid lipid found in animal cell membranes, contributing to membrane fluidity and stability.

Question 7

Cytoskeleton

Answer 7

A network of protein filaments that extends throughout the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, providing structural support, facilitating cell movement, and aiding in organelle transport.

Question 8

Denaturation

Answer 8

The process of disrupting the three-dimensional structure of a protein, leading to a loss of its biological activity.

Question 9

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Answer 9

A double-stranded nucleic acid that carries the genetic information of an organism.

Question 10

Diffusion

Answer 10

The passive movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Question 11

Electrochemical gradient

Answer 11

The combined influence of an ion’s concentration gradient and the membrane potential on the movement of the ion across a membrane.

Question 12

Endocytosis

Answer 12

The process by which a cell takes in materials from its surroundings by engulfing them in a vesicle.

Question 13

Endomembrane system

Answer 13

A network of interconnected membrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cells involved in protein synthesis, modification, packaging, and transport. It includes the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and vacuoles.

Question 14

Enzyme

Answer 14

A biological catalyst, typically a protein, that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

Question 15

Eukaryotic cell

Answer 15

A cell that contains a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles, characteristic of organisms in the domains Eukarya (protists, fungi, plants, and animals).

Question 16

Exocytosis

Answer 16

The process by which a cell releases materials to its surroundings by fusing a vesicle containing the materials with the cell membrane.

Question 17

Facilitated diffusion

Answer 17

The passive movement of molecules across a cell membrane with the assistance of transport proteins

Question 18

Fatty acid

Answer 18

A long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group at one end, a major component of lipids.

Question 19

Fluid mosaic mode

Answer 19

A model that describes the structure of cell membranes as a dynamic, fluid bilayer of phospholipids with embedded proteins that can move laterally within the membrane.

Question 20

Glycoprotein

Answer 20

A protein with one or more carbohydrates covalently attached.

Question 21

Hydrolysis

Answer 21

A chemical reaction that breaks down a larger molecule into smaller molecules by adding a water molecule, often used to break down polymers into monomers.

Question 22

Golgi apparatus

Answer 22

A membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or transport to other cellular destinations.

Question 23

Integral protein

Answer 23

A protein that is embedded within the hydrophobic core of a cell membrane.

Question 24

Lipid

Answer 24

A diverse group of hydrophobic biological macromolecules that include fats, phospholipids, and steroids.

Question 25

Lysosome

Answer 25

A membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells containing hydrolytic enzymes that break down cellular waste products and debris.

Question 26

Macromolecule

Answer 26

A large biological molecule composed of repeating subunits (monomers) linked together by covalent bonds.

Question 27

Membrane potential

Answer 27

The voltage difference across a cell membrane, created by the unequal distribution of ions.

Question 28

Mitochondrion

Answer 28

A double-membrane-bound organelle found in eukaryotic cells, the site of cellular respiration where ATP is produced.

Question 29

Monomer

Answer 29

A small molecule that can be linked together to form a polymer.

Question 30

Nucleic acid

Answer 30

A biological macromolecule that carries genetic information, including DNA and RNA.

Question 31

Nucleotide

Answer 31

The building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.

Question 32

Nucleus

Answer 32

The membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the cell's DNA.

Question 33

Organelle

Answer 33

A specialized structure within a cell that performs a specific function.

Question 34

Osmosis

Answer 34

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration.

Question 35

Passive transport

Answer 35

The movement of molecules across a cell membrane down their concentration gradient, requiring no energy input from the cell.

Question 36

Peripheral protein

Answer 36

A protein that is loosely bound to the surface of a cell membrane.

Question 37

Phagocytosis

Answer 37

A type of endocytosis in which a cell engulfs large particles, such as bacteria or debris.

Question 38

Phospholipid

Answer 38

A major component of cell membranes, consisting of a glycerol molecule linked to two fatty acid chains (hydrophobic tails) and a phosphate group (hydrophilic head).

Question 39

Pinocytosis

Answer 39

A type of endocytosis in which a cell takes in droplets of extracellular fluid.

Question 40

Plasma membrane

Answer 40

The selectively permeable membrane that surrounds all cells, regulating the passage of substances into and out of the cell.

Question 41

Plasmodesmata

Answer 41

Channels that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent plant cells, allowing for communication and transport.

Question 42

Polymer

Answer 42

A large molecule composed of many repeating subunits (monomers) linked together by covalent bonds.

Question 43

Prokaryotic cel

Answer 43

A cell that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles, characteristic of organisms in the domains Bacteria and Archaea.

Question 44

Protein

Answer 44

A biological macromolecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids, performing a wide variety of functions in cells and organisms.

Question 45

Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Answer 45

A type of endocytosis in which specific molecules (ligands) bind to receptors on the cell surface, triggering the formation of a vesicle.

Question 46

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Answer 46

A single-stranded nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis.

Question 47

Ribosome

Answer 47

A cellular structure composed of RNA and protein, the site of protein synthesis.

Question 48

Saturated fatty acid

Answer 48

A fatty acid with no double bonds between carbon atoms in its hydrocarbon chain, resulting in a straight chain and a solid state at room temperature.

Question 49

Selective permeability

Answer 49

A property of cell membranes that allows some substances to pass through more easily than others.

Question 50

Transport protein

Answer 50

A membrane protein that facilitates the movement of specific molecules across a cell membrane.

Question 51

Unsaturated fatty acid

Answer 51

A fatty acid with one or more double bonds between carbon atoms in its hydrocarbon chain, creating kinks in the chain and leading to a liquid state at room temperature.

Question 52

Vacuole

Answer 52

A membrane-bound sac in eukaryotic cells that can store water, nutrients, waste products, or other substances.