test 1 Flashcards
What is interstitial fluid?
Fluid found in the spaces between cells.
Define selective permeability.
The ability of the plasma membrane to allow certain molecules to pass while restricting others.
Q: What are the passive transport mechanisms?
A: Diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion.
What are the active transport mechanisms?
: Active transport, endocytosis, exocytosis.
What is osmosis?
The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
: What is the difference between isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic solutions?
A: Isotonic has equal solute concentrations, hypotonic has lower solute concentrations, and hypertonic has higher solute concentrations.
Q: What is the function of the Na+/K+ pump?
A: Pumps sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell, establishing an electrical gradient.
Define facilitated diffusion.
A: Movement of molecules across the membrane via carrier proteins or ion channels.
Q: What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?
A: The cell swells as water moves in.
What are integral proteins?
Proteins embedded within the lipid bilayer, often involved in transport
: What is the function of the plasma membrane?
: Acts as a barrier and regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
What are microvilli and cilia?
A: Microvilli increase surface area for absorption, cilia move substances across the cell surface.
Q: Describe the function of mitochondria.
A: Powerhouse of the cell, generating ATP.
Q: What are lysosomes responsible for?
Breaking down waste and cellular debris.
: What is the role of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?
Synthesizes lipids, including steroids, and detoxifies substances.
What are ribosomes?
Sites of protein synthesis.
What is the cytoskeleton composed of?
A: Microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.
What is the Golgi apparatus responsible for?
Modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion.
Define proteasomes.
A: Structures that degrade unneeded or damaged proteins.
What are the primary functions of the cytoskeleton?
: Cell shape, movement, and intracellular transport.
Q: What is an atom?
A: The smallest unit of matter retaining the properties of an element.
Q: What are the three subatomic particles?
A: Protons, neutrons, and electrons.
What is the atomic number?
A: The number of protons in an atom.
Q: What is an ion?
A: An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.
Define isotopes.
A: Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
: What is the pH scale?
A: A scale measuring the acidity or basicity of a solution, ranging from 0 to 14.
What is a covalent bond?
A chemical bond formed when two atoms share electrons
What are the major elements in the human body?
Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen.
What is a hydrogen bond?
A: A weak bond between a hydrogen atom and another atom with a partial negative charge.
What is a compound?
A substance made of two or more different types of atoms bonded together.
What does ATP stand for?
Adenosine Triphosphate.
What is active transport?
The movement of molecules across a membrane requiring energy (ATP)
What is endocytosis?
The process of taking materials into the cell by engulfing them in a vesicle.
What is exocytosis?
The process of releasing materials from the cell via vesicles.
What is pinocytosis?
A form of endocytosis where the cell engulfs liquid.
What is phagocytosis?
A form of endocytosis where the cell engulfs large particles.
What is the main function of peroxisomes?
A: Breakdown of fatty acids and detoxification of harmful substances.
What is the role of nucleic acids?
A: Store and transmit genetic information
What are the two types of nucleic acids?
DNA and RNA.
What is an ionic bond?
A bond formed between oppositely charged ions
What is facilitated diffusion?
A: Movement of molecules down a concentration gradient with the help of a carrier protein.
What is a nonpolar covalent bond?
A covalent bond where electrons are shared equally between atoms.
Define molecule.
Two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.
What is a polar covalent bond?
A covalent bond where electrons are shared unequally, resulting in partial charges.
: What is a base?
A substance that releases hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution, raising the pH.
: What is a compound?
A substance composed of two or more different elements.
What is an acid?
A substance that releases hydrogen ions (H+) in solution, lowering the pH.
What is the role of carbohydrates?
Provide energy and structural support.
What is the function of the nucleus?
Contains the cell’s genetic material and controls cellular activities.
What are lipids composed of?
Fatty acids and glycerol.
What is the function of proteins?
Structural support, transport, enzymes, movement, and defense.
What is the role of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
Synthesizes proteins and modifies them for secretion or use within the cell.
What is the smooth endoplasmic reticulum responsible for?
Synthesizes lipids and detoxifies chemicals.
What do lysosomes do?
Contain enzymes for digesting cellular waste and foreign material.
What are centrioles?
Organelles involved in cell division.
What is the nucleolus?
The site of ribosome production within the nucleus.
What is the function of the Golgi complex?
Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for tran
What is the cytosol?
The fluid portion of the cytoplasm where cellular activities occur.
What is the role of microtubules?
Provide structure and facilitate movement within the cell.
What is the primary function of the cytoplasm?
To support and suspend organelles and cellular molecules.
What is the lipid bilayer composed of?
Phospholipids and cholesterol.
What is the glycocalyx?
A carbohydrate-rich area on the cell’s surface important for cell recognition.
What is the amphipathic nature of phospholipids?
They have both hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.
What are transport proteins?
Proteins that help move substances across the membrane.
What is ATP’s role in cellular processes?
It provides energy for various cellular activities.
What is the purpose of cholesterol in the cell membrane?
It helps maintain membrane fluidity and stability.
What is the role of actin in microfilaments?
A: It helps with cell movement and stability.
What is membrane potential?
The voltage difference across the cell membrane.
What is the function of ion channels?
They allow specific ions to pass through the membrane.
What are vesicles used for?
: Transporting materials within the cell.
What are disaccharides?
Two monosaccharides bonded together, such as sucrose.
What are polysaccharides?
Long chains of monosaccharides, such as glycogen and cellulose.
What are monosaccharides?
Simple sugars, such as glucose, that are the building blocks of carbohydrates.
What are fatty acids?
Building blocks of lipids.
What are steroids?
Lipids that include hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
What is a triglyceride?
A lipid composed of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone.
What are proteins made of?
Amino acids.
What is the function of hemoglobin?
Transporting oxygen in the blood.
What are nucleotides?
The building blocks of nucleic acids.
What is the primary role of DNA?
Storing genetic information.
