MCB Definitions Flashcards
Define Axoneme
structural core of cilia and flagella for cellular motility.
Define Clastogen
agents causing breaks or alterations in chromosomes, inducing genetic damage.
Define Colloidal osmotic pressure (COP)
a form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins in a blood vessel’s plasma that tends to pull water into the circulatory system.
Define Desmosomes
junctions anchoring adjacent cells, providing mechanical strength to tissues.
Define Dynein
motor protein moving towards minus end of microtubules.
Define Endocrine
secretion into the bloodstream.
Define Endocytosis
the process by which cells take materials in through an invagination of the plasma membrane.
Define Exocrine
secretion into a duct or lumen.
Define Exocytosis
the process by which materials exit the cell via fusion of a vesicle with the plasma membrane.
Define Functional RNA
RNA that is not translated but has a biological role.
Define General transcription factors (GTF)
proteins required to initiate transcription.
Define Glycolipids
membrane lipids that contain sugar or sugars in their polar head group.
Define Glycoproteins
proteins with carbohydrate chains attached, involved in cell recognition and signalling.
Define Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
polysaccharides with repeating disaccharide units, integral to extracellular matrix structure.
Define Isoforms
variant forms of a gene or protein product.
Define Kinase
add phosphate groups.
Define Kinesins
motor protein moving towards plus end of microtubules.
Define Lipid rafts
cholesterol-rich cell membrane domains facilitating signalling, trafficking, and compartmentalization in cells.
Define Metazoans
multicellular animals.
Define Missense mutation
changes the amino acid, affecting protein structure and function.
Define Modular
made up of identifiable protein domains which have particular structures and functions.
Define Modulatory
modifies protein activity through post-translational modification.
Define Nonsense mutation
changes that result in a truncated protein or mRNA degradation due to a premature STOP codon.
Define Nucleolus
region in nucleus producing ribosomal RNA.
Define Nucleoplasm
gel-like substance containing cell’s DNA, nucleic acids, and proteins.
Define Oedema
swelling of a tissue because of the accumulation of excess interstitial fluid.
Define Perinuclear space
space between the nucleus and the surrounding cytoplasm in a cell.
Define Phosphatase
remove phosphate groups.
Define Polysome
multiple ribosomes simultaneously translating the same mRNA at once.
Define Protofilament
individual linear chain of protein subunits in microtubules.
Define Proteoglycans
protein associated GAGs.
Define Purine
double-ring nitrogenous base.
Define Pyrimidine
single-ring nitrogenous base.
Define Silent mutations
mutations which cause no practical change as the same amino acid is added to the polypeptide chain.
Define Tight junctions
junctions sealing adjacent cells together to prevent substances passing between.
Define Tissues
cells whose type, organization, and architecture are integral to their function, made of extracellular matrix and fluid.
Define Tonicity
the strength of a solution as it affects final cell volume (depends on permeability and solution composition).
Define Zonulae Junctions
junctions sealing adjacent cells together to prevent substances passing between.
Define Transduction
process of converting one form of energy into another within a biological system.
