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MCAT Biology > The Cell > Flashcards

The Cell Flashcards

1
Q

Cell Theory

A
  1. All living things are made of cells
  2. Cell is the basic functional unit of life
  3. Cells arise only from preexisting cells
  4. Cells carry genetic info in the form of DNA, passed parent to daughter
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2
Q

Nuclear Membrane

A

double membrane that maintains a separate nuclear environment from the cytoplasm

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3
Q

Histones

A

Proteins around which linear DNA is organized

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4
Q

nucleolus

A

Site of ribosomal RNA synthesis

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5
Q

Cristae

A

The foldings of the mitochondria inner membrane containing the molecules for the ETC

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6
Q

Mitochondria Intermembrane Space

A

the space between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, where the protons are pumped into

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7
Q

Mitochondrial Matrix

A

The space inside the inner membrane, this is where the protons are pumped out of

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8
Q

Apoptosis

A

Programmed Cell Death

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9
Q

Lysosomes

A

membrane bound organelle containing hydrolytic enzymes for substance breakdown

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10
Q

Autolysis

A

The release of hydrolytic enzymes from the lysosome, results in apoptosis

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11
Q

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A

series of interconnected membranes contiguous with the nucles, rough ER contains ribosomes for protein synthesis while smooth ER is the site of lipid synthesis and detoxification

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12
Q

Golgi Apparatus

A

Stacked membrane bound sacs, site of protein glycosylation

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13
Q

Peroxisomes

A

contain hydrogen peroxide, primary function is the breakdown of long chain FA’s via B-oxidation`

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14
Q

Cytoskeleton

A

Provides the cell with shape/structure, made up of microfilaments(actin), microtubules, and intermediate filaments.

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15
Q

Microfilaments

A

polymerized rods of actin, organized into bundles and networks within the cell

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16
Q

Cleavage Furrow

A

Ring-like organization of microfilaments during cell division that function as the site of division between the two new daughter cells

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17
Q

Microtubules

A

Hollow polymers of tubulin proteins that provide the movement pathways for kinesin and dynein

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18
Q

Cilia

A

microtubule projections from a cell that are primarily involved in movement of materials along the cell surface

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19
Q

Flagella (Eukaryotic)

A

microtubule structure involved in cellular movement

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20
Q

9+2 Structure

A

The microtubule organization of cilia/flagellum. 2 microtubules are surrounded by 9 doublets on the outside.

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21
Q

Centrioles

A

Microtubule structure within the centrosome. Organizing center for microtubules consisting of 9 MT triplets with a hollow center

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22
Q

Kinetochores

A

The site on the chromosomes where microtubules attach during cell division

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23
Q

Intermediate filaments

A

IFs include keratin and desmin, involved in cell to cell adhesion.

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24
Q

Epithelial tissues

A

Thin cell layer that covers the body and line its cavities, involved in protection and absorption selection

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25
Basement Membrane
underlying layer of connective tissue that joins epithelial cells together
26
Parenchyma
The functional part of an organ made up mostly of epithelial tissue
27
Simple epithelia
A single cellular layer
28
Stratified epithelia
Multiple cellular layers
29
Pseudostratified epithelia
One layer of cells differing in cell height
30
Cuboidal
Cube shaped epithelial cells
31
Columnar
Long and thin epithelial cells
32
Squamous
Flat and scale like epithelial cells
33
Connective Tissue
Tissue that supports the body and provides framework
34
Stroma
The support structure of an organ made up primarily of connective tissue
35
Nucleoid region
The area of the prokaryotic cell where there genetic material is organized into a single circular molecule of DNA
36
Archaea
Single celled organisms visually similar to bacteria, tend to be extremophiles and chemosyntheitc
37
Mutualistic Symbiotes
a relationship where both parties benefit, common between bacteria and humans
38
Pathogens
disease causing bacteria
39
Cocci
spherical shaped bacteria
40
bacilli
Rod shaped bacteria
41
Spirilli
spiral shaped bacteria
42
obligate aerobes
bacteria that require oxygen for metabolism
43
obligate anaerobes
bacteria that cannot survive in an oxygen containing environment
44
facultative anaerobes
bacteria that can toggle between aerobic and non aerobic metabolism based on the presence of oxygen
45
aerotolerant anaerobes
bacteria that are unable to use oxygen for metabolism but are not harmed by its presence in the environment
46
Gram positive bacteria
Bacteria in which the cell wall contains a thick layer of peptidoglycan
47
peptidoglycan
component of gram positive bacterial cell walls that serves as structural and protective functions
48
lipoteichoic acid
gram positive cell wall component that activates the human immune system
49
gram negative bacteria
Bacteria who's cell wall does not contain the thick peptidoglycan layer
50
Outer membrane (bacteria)
A membrane outside the cell membrane and wall of gram negative bacteria that contains lipopolysaccharides and phospholipids
51
Lipopolysaccharides
component of the gram negative bacteria outer membrane that triggers a human immune system response
52
Chemotaxis
The ability of a cell to detect chemical stimuli and move towards or away from them
53
Flagella (Prokaryote)
Whiplike structures used for propulsion composed of a filament, basal body, and a hook
54
Filament
hollow helical part of the flagella composed of flagellin
55
Basal body
complex structure that anchors the flagella to the cytoplasmic membrane, also the motor
56
Hook
Connects the basal body and the filament
57
Plasmids
Small circular DNA structures carrying genetic info not necessary for prokaryote survival
58
Binary Fission
Form of asexual reproduction seen in eukaryotes
59
Virulence Factors
Traits that increase how pathogenic a bacterium is
60
Episomes
plasmids capable of integrating into the genome of bacteria
61
Transformation
Integration of foreign genetic material into the host genome
62
Conjugation
The bacterial form of sexual reproduction where genetic information is transferred unidirectionally
63
Sex Pili
An appendage of the bacterial donor male that forms the conjugation bridge with the recipient female
64
Fertility Factor
Most common sex factor plasmid in bacteria that allows for mating
65
Hfr Bacteria
Bacterial cells in which the sex factor plasmid has been integrated into the genome
66
Transduction
The process of a viral vector carrying genetic information from one bacterium to another
67
Bacteriophage
Viruses that infect bacteria
68
Transposons
Genetic elements capable of inserting and removing themselves from the genome
69
Lag phase
The period of bacterial growth where growth is stagnant as bacteria adapt to their new environment
70
Exponential/Log Phase
Period of exponential bacterial growth
71
Stationary Phase
Slowing of bacterial reproduction as resources are depleted
72
Death phase
Decrease in the amount of bacteria when the environment is no longer able to support them
73
Capsid
The protein coat of a virus that surrounds its genetic material
74
Virions
Viral progeny that result from reproduction within a host cell
75
Tail sheath and Tail Fibers
The sheath acts to inject the genetic material while the fibers help the virus recognize the correct host cell
76
Positive Sense RNA virus
The genome may be directly translated to functional proteins
77
Negative sense RNA virus
require synthesis of an RNA strand complementary to their RNA genome prior to their translation
78
RNA repicase
Protein carried by negative sense RNA viruses to ensure synthesis of a complementary RNA strand from negative sense template
79
Retrovirus
single stranded RNA viruses where the RNA is reverse transcribed into DNA then integrated into the host cell genome
80
Extrusion
The process in which a virus leaves the host cell by fusing with its plasma membrane
81
Lytic Cycle
Virulent bacteria are filled with virions until they lyse open releasing the progeny
82
Provirus/Prophage
A virus that has integrated into the host genome
83
Lysogenic Cycle
A period where a viral genome is integrated within its host and replicates with it, this may preceed the lytic cycle
84
Prions
Infectious proteins that cause the misfolding of other proteins reducing solubility and ability to degrade
85
Viroids
small plant pathogens consisting of very short circular single stranded RNA genomes capable of silencing mRNA in a cell

MCAT Biology (5 decks)

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