Week 1 - Atoms, molecules and cells Flashcards
Chemical element
A unique substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances
Oxygen
- Major component of organic molecules (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, nucleic acids)
- In inorganic molecule such as water, oxygen gas, carbon dioxide as waste product
- Breaks down double bonds in organic gas to make ATP
Carbon
- Basis for all organic molecules
Hydrogen
- In all organic molecules
- In many inorganic molecules including watering hydrogen gas
- Acts as an ion proton in pH
Nitrogen
- In proteins and nucleic acids
- In body for transport
- In nucleic acids in body such as DNA
- In some inorganic molecules such as nitrous acid
Atom
Smallest unit of matter that cannot be broken down
Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Has ribosomes on surface
Functions - continuous with nuclear envelope
- produces phospholipids
- produces proteins
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Has no ribosomes
Functions - lipid metabolism
- synthesizes hormones
- detoxifies alcohol, barbituates, carcinogens
and pesticides
- metabolizes glycogen
- store calcium in skeletal muscle cells
Golgi apparatus
Consists of flattened sacs called cistern that receives products in vesicles
Functions - receive products from RER
- modifies, concentrates, packages and ships proteins
- adds phosphate, adds and trips proteins to tell where to ship
- vesicles fuse with membrane and sent out of the cell
Lysosome
Spherical double membrane organelles with digestive hydrolytic enzymes that act at low pH to function without damaging other proteins
Functions - autophagy and heterophagy
Mitochondria
Two enclosed membranes, the outer one smooth and the inner one folded into cisternae
Functions - cellular respiration changes from glucose to ATP
Differentiation
The development from an unspecified cell to a specified cell. Different genes are turned on and off to perform a specific function.
