Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

General Principles > Introduction to Cells > Flashcards

Introduction to Cells Flashcards

1
Q

What is the hierarchical organisation of the human body?

A

The human body is organised from the molecular level to the whole organ system.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the basic functional units of the body?

A

Cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the functions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)?

A

Involved in protein and lipid synthesis and processing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What role does the cytoskeleton play in a cell?

A

Provides structural support and assists in cell shape, motility, and division.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the primary site of protein synthesis?

A

Rough endoplasmic reticulum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the function of the Golgi complex?

A

Packages components for use or export.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the components of the cytoskeleton?

A
  • Microfilaments
  • Intermediate filaments
  • Microtubules
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the structure of the cell membrane?

A

Phospholipid bilayer with integral and peripheral proteins.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the major functions of the body that require homeostasis?

A
  • Muscle contraction
  • Breathing
  • Heart beating
  • Neural communication
  • Digestion
  • Hormonal control
  • Urination
  • Defecation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the three main types of macromolecules?

A
  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Lipids
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are carbohydrates primarily used for in the body?

A

Energy production.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the difference between LDLs and HDLs?

A

LDLs are bad cholesterol; HDLs are good cholesterol that help transport cholesterol to the liver.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What determines the structure and function of proteins?

A

The sequence of amino acids.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the four levels of protein structure?

A
  • Primary
  • Secondary
  • Tertiary
  • Quaternary
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions?

A

They speed up reactions without being consumed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are nucleic acids composed of?

A

Nucleotides.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a silent mutation?

A

A mutation that does not affect protein function.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the primary function of triglycerides?

A

Energy storage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Fill in the blank: The movement of water through a semi-permeable membrane is called _______.

A

Osmosis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

True or False: Charged ions can freely pass through the cell membrane.

A

False.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is facilitated diffusion?

A

A passive process where molecules move across the membrane with the help of proteins.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What does Fick’s Law of Diffusion state?

A

The rate of diffusion is proportional to surface area and concentration difference, and inversely proportional to membrane thickness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the sodium-potassium pump’s role in active transport?

A

Moves sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What are the types of transport mechanisms across the cell membrane?

A
  • Passive diffusion
  • Facilitated diffusion
  • Active transport
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is the importance of membrane permeability?
It regulates what substances can enter or exit the cell.
26
What are the three types of tonicity?
* Hypotonic * Isotonic * Hypertonic
27
What happens in diabetes mellitus?
There are issues with glucose metabolism.
28
What are the base units of proteins?
Amino acids.
29
What is the role of hemoglobin?
Transports oxygen.
30
What is the function of cholesterols in the body?
Transported in the blood by lipoproteins.
31
What is gluconeogenesis?
The production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources.
32
What are polysaccharides?
Large molecules made of 10-100s of monosaccharides.
33
What are the functions of proteins in the body?
* Catalysis * Transport * Structural support * Regulation
34
What is the function of the sodium-potassium pump?
Moves sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell ## Footnote Maintains ion gradients essential for cellular functions.
35
How many sodium ions are pumped out for every two potassium ions pumped in by the sodium-potassium pump?
3 sodium ions out and 2 potassium ions in.
36
What is the primary role of cell division?
Growth, repair, adaptation, and cell specialization.
37
Which types of cells can multiply throughout life?
Skin, hair, nails, and stomach lining cells.
38
What are stem cells?
Undifferentiated cells capable of giving rise to various cell types.
39
What are the four categories of stem cells based on differentiation potential?
* Unipotent * Multipotent * Pluripotent * Totipotent
40
List the stages of the cell cycle.
* G0 * G1 * S * G2 * M
41
What is mitosis?
Process of somatic cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells.
42
What are the stages of mitosis?
* Prophase * Prometaphase * Metaphase * Anaphase * Telophase * Cytokinesis
43
What is meiosis?
Division of germ cells resulting in four haploid daughter cells.
44
What is the significance of crossing over and independent assortment in meiosis?
Ensures genetic variation.
45
What can result from cell cycle checkpoint failures?
Uncontrolled cell division and cancer.
46
What are tumor suppressor genes?
Genes that regulate the cell cycle.
47
What role does the p53 gene play in the cell cycle?
Detects DNA damage and can pause the cell cycle for repair or trigger apoptosis.
48
What is a gene?
Basic unit of inheritance composed of DNA.
49
What is the central dogma of genetics?
DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into proteins.
50
What are the components of DNA?
* Pentose sugar (deoxyribose) * Phosphate group * Four nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine)
51
What occurs during DNA replication?
Unwinding of the double helix and synthesising a complementary strand.
52
What is the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNA replication?
Eukaryotic is more complex and involves multiple origins; prokaryotic is simpler and faster.
53
What is transcription?
Process of transcribing genetic code from DNA into mRNA.
54
What is the role of RNA polymerase?
Synthesises RNA from a DNA template during transcription.
55
What modifications occur during mRNA processing?
* Addition of a 5' cap * Addition of a poly-A tail * Splicing to remove introns
56
What is the role of ribosomes in translation?
Translate mRNA codons into amino acid sequences.
57
What are integral proteins?
Proteins embedded in the lipid bilayer crucial for cell signalling.
58
What is the function of ion channels?
Allow selective passage of ions through the cell membrane.
59
What are the types of signalling mechanisms?
* Endocrine * Paracrine * Autocrine
60
What are feedback mechanisms?
Regulate cellular responses to stimuli to maintain homeostasis.
61
What are the four types of receptors involved in mechanical alterations?
Ionotropic, metabotropic, kinase-linked, and nuclear receptors.
62
What is the six-step process of signal transduction?
Recognition, transduction, transmission, modulation, response, and termination.
63
List the three types of signalling.
* Endocrine * Paracrine * Autocrine
64
What are feedback mechanisms and their types?
Mechanisms that maintain homeostasis, including negative and positive feedback.
65
What does the acronym RICE stand for in the context of integral proteins?
Receptors, Ion channels, Carrier molecules, and Enzymes.
66
What are ion channels and their types?
Proteins that allow selective passage of ions; types include ligand-gated and voltage-gated.
67
How do voltage-gated ion channels function?
They open when the membrane is depolarised or hyperpolarised.
68
What role do transporters play in cellular processes?
They move lipid-insoluble molecules across the cell membrane.
69
Give examples of transporters.
* Channel proteins * Carrier proteins * Transport proteins
70
What is glycolysis?
The breakdown of glucose by enzymes, releasing energy and pyruvic acid.
71
What are the functions of enzymes?
They catalyse reactions, speeding up rates of biochemical processes.
72
What types of receptors are involved in detecting alterations?
* Ionotropic receptors * Metabotropic receptors * Kinase-linked receptors * Nuclear receptors
73
What do G-protein coupled receptors utilize for signalling?
A second messenger system.
74
What is the primary role of signal transduction pathways?
To regulate critical cellular functions like proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism.
75
Define endocrine signalling.
Involves hormones traveling through blood to distant targets.
76
What is the function of negative feedback?
It opposes initial stimuli to maintain homeostasis.
77
What is the role of the pancreas in glucose homeostasis?
It regulates blood glucose levels through insulin and glucagon release.
78
What are coenzymes and cofactors?
Substances that assist enzymes in their functions.
79
How do enzyme inhibitors function?
They interfere with enzyme activity, often used as drugs to treat diseases.
80
What are the six classes of enzymes?
* Oxidoreductases * Transferases * Hydrolases * Lyases * Isomerases * Ligases
81
What is the Michaelis-Menten equation used for?
To describe enzyme kinetics.
82
What indicates enzyme affinity for substrates?
The Km value.
83
What are the features of enzymes?
* High reaction rates * Specificity * Regulation by environmental conditions
84
What is the initial velocity (V0) in enzyme reactions?
The fastest rate of an enzyme reaction.
85
What is the effect of competitive inhibitors?
They compete with substrates for active sites.
86
What is the role of non-competitive inhibitors?
They bind to allosteric sites, reducing enzyme activity.

General Principles (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions