M2 Terms Flashcards
Protein
Polymers of the 20 amino acid monomers
Are the most numerous and versatile of the four biomolecules and contain nitrogen
Carbohydrates
The next most versatile biomolecules and are simple monomer sugars and polymers of simple sugars
Nucleic Acid
Large biomolecules that play essential roles in all cells and viruses; major functions involve the storage and expression of genomic information (DNA & RNA) as well as energy carriers
Lipid
Fourth category of biomolecules better known as fats, oils, and sterols; diverse group made up of combinations of hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and/or glycerol molecules; aren’t polymers because their structure is not composed of a chain of monomers
Polar Molecule
When electrons are unequally shared between atoms, partial electrical charges result within a molecule
Nonpolar Molecule
Not soluble in water because water molecules can’t surround them in a hydrogen-bonded network
Hydrophobic
Molecules that do not associate with water
Hydrophilic
Ions and polar molecules associate with water molecules
Phospholipid
Type of glyceride & is an important component in cell membranes; made up of 2 hydrophobic fatty acid tails bonded to a hydrophilic head containing glycerol and a phosphate group
Phospholipid Bilayer
Energy Carriers
Deliver usable “on demand” energy
Cell Theory
One of the unifying principles of biology
2 Main Parts:
1. Every living organism is composed of one or more cells
2. All cells living today came from a preexisting cell
Prokaryote
Single-Celled Organisms lacking a nucleus and complex internal compartments
Eukaryote
May be single-celled or multicellular
Organelle
Are lipid bilayer, membrane enclosed internal compartments
Cytoskeleton
A network of protein cylinders and filaments
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Lipid bilayer membrane network continuous with the nuclear envelope
Golgi Apparatus
Lipid bilayer, membrane-enclosed packaging center that directs protein and lipid products from the ER to other membranes
Mitochondria
Use chemical reactions to transform carbohydrates into ATP in a process called cellular respiration
Chloroplasts
Capture energy from sunlight and use it to manufacture sugar molecules via photosynthesis
Nucleus
The control center of the cell
Endocytosis
Exocytosis
Active Transport
Requires energy to pass something from one side of a cell membrane to another
Ribosomes
Surface Area to Volume Ratio
Binary Fission
What prokaryotic organisms use to reproduce; asexual reproduction
Cell Cycle
Sequence of events that makes up the life of a typical eukaryotic cell
Divide for 2 Reasons:
1. To reproduce the organism
2. To grow and repair cells of a multicellular organism
Interphase
90% of a cell’s life; when the cell does what it normally does; gets ready for cell division
G1 Phase
First phase in a newly divided cell, usually the longest phase, gets ready for DNA replication
G2 Phase
After S Phase but before cell division, gets ready for cell division
G0 Phase
Nonreplication phase, many adult cells enter the G0 phase and don’t replicate, this phase can last from a few days to the rest of the cell’s life
S Phase
DNA is replicated, at the end of the S phase the cell now has 2x much DNA as normal
Cell Cycle Checkpoints
Ensure that the cell cycle does not progress if conditions are not suitable for cell division
Mitosis
Consists of 4 main phases of DNA processes (PMAT), followed by cytokinesis
Meiosis
A specialized form of cell division that is needed to make gametes (sex cells)
Cytokinesis
The process of dividing the parent cell’s cytoplasm to produce two daughter cells; the last step in the cell cycle before it repeats
Prophase
2 cytoskeletal structures called centrosomes begin to move toward opposite ends of the cell; special proteins form long cylinders called microtubules, these assemble into the mitotic spindle, which is anchored to a centrosome at its two ends
Metaphase
Chromosomes align in the center of the cell, helps ensure each new cell gets the half of the chromosomes
Anaphase
Chromatids are pulled apart, once separated each chromatid is considered a new chromosome
Telophase
Nuclear envelopes begin to form around the two new sets of chromosomes at each end of the cell; within each nucleus, the chromosomes decondense, as each new daughter cell begins its G1 phase
Gametes
Ger-Line Cells
Haploid
cells (n) have one copy of each chromosome
Diploid
cells (2n) have 2 copies of each chromosome
Aquaporin
A membrane protein that allows for the passive transport of water, across the hydrophobic lipid bilayer
Sodium-Potassium Pumps
Proteins used to move molecules AGAINST the concentration gradient (from low to high)
Passive Transport
Does not require energy but is usually regulated by transport proteins
