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Cell Biology Terms
Virginia Tech BMES 5004
23
Physiology
Graduate
09/13/2008

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Term
Lipid Bilayer
Definition
Foundation for most membranes. Consists of phospholipids, which contain a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail. Ends of bilayer are hydrophilic while middle area is hydrophobic.
Term
Mitochondria
Definition
Specialized membrane organelle who makes energy (ATP). Built upon the semi-permeable membrane and concentration gradients.
Term
Nucleus
Definition
Organelle that stores cellular DNA
Term
Hepatocyte
Definition
Liver cell, responsible for detoxifying blood and glucose management.
Term
Pancreatic Exocrine Cell
Definition
"Beta cell". Makes insulin. Destroyed by diabetes.
Term
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Definition
Membrane organalle that deals with protein synthesis
Term
Membrane Lipid
Definition
Contains two hydrophobic fatty acids (typically long chains of carbon) attached to a backbone, attached to a hydrophilic group, typically phosphate.
Term
Sphingomyelins
Definition
Ceramide backbone attached to fatty acids, and choline by a phosphate. Exceptionally important to nervous system.
Term
Cholesterol
Definition
Hydrophobic carbon ring structure with hydrophilic oxygen portion. Kink in the lipid bi-layer that increases membrane fluidity. Keeps the membrane from being a solid wall.
Term
7TM-GPCR (7 trans-membrane G protein coupled receptor)
Definition
Receptor that goes through the membrane seven times. Allows signals to pass through otherwise impermeable membrane. Hormones bind to this receptor, which causes a conformational change in the receptor such that the G protein can bind to it.
Term
Endocytosis
Definition
Process of taking molecules into a cell from the outside by surrounding molecule with membrane, and pinching it off into the cell. General term, divided into two processes: phagocytosis and pinocytosis
Term
Phagocytosis
Definition
Form of endocytosis where large particles (food, bacteria, etc.) are generally brought in.
Term
Pinocytosis
Definition
Form of endocytosis where very small particles (often fluid) tend to be brought in.
Term
Exocytosis
Definition
Vesicles on the inside of the cell exit the cell by pushing through the membrane in turn surrounding the vesicle with its own membrane.
Term
Diffusion
Definition
Method of molecule movement where molecules spontaneously distribute evenly based on concentration gradient. Rate is not linear, decreases by square of distance.
Term
Osmosis
Definition
Movement of water. Used to balance concentration gradients when the molecules responsible for the gradient are impermeable to the membrane. Uses water to dilute gradient.
Term
Osmotic Pressure
Definition
The pressure required to prevent osmosis. Basis for how the Kidney works.
Term
Facilitated Transport
Definition
Gates that help molecules impermeable to the membrane to pass based on their concentration gradient. Gate opens when a specific molecule binds to the gate, allowing that molecule to pass. Has a maximum rate of transport based on number of pores.
Term
Active Transport
Definition
Transport method based on physically pumping molecules against the concentration gradient using energy. Divided into primary and secondary modes.
Term
Primary Active Transport
Definition
Form of transport that uses energy directly (ATP) to pump molecules against concentration gradient.
Term
Secondary Active Transport
Definition
Form of transport where molecules are actively pumped against their concentration gradient by using the energy stored in a different molecules gradient.
Term
Symporter
Definition
Active transport where the concentration gradient of a secondary molecule is used to pump the desired primary molecule in. Both molecules ENTER the cell.
Term
Antiporter
Definition
Active transport where the concentration gradient of a secondary molecule is used to pump a primary, desired, molecule. The secondary leaves the cell, whereas the primary enters.
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