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Cell Biology
For first year undergrads reviewing their second semester of biology.
42
Biology
Undergraduate 1
01/20/2011

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Term
Peptide
Definition
A molecule consisting of two or more AMINO ACIDS. These molecules create bonds in proteins that are between carbon and nitrogen atoms.
Term
Difference between cellulose and starch
Definition
Most importantly, there are different types of chemical bonds between the MONOMERS.
Term
Hypotonic solution
Definition
Water flows TOWARDS low water concentration.
Term
Gorter and Grendel contribution to science
Definition
Showed the presence of lipid bilayers in membranes.
Term
Endosymbiont theory
Definition
This theory essentially states that prokaryotes are present in eukaryotes. An example is the presence of mitochondria in eukaryotes: they have the characteristics of bacteria.
Term
Hydrophilic
Definition
"Water loving." Includes molecules such as sugars and amino acids.
Term
Hydrophobic
Definition
"Water fearing." Insoluble in water.
Term
van der Waals force
Definition
A weak attractive force that occurs when two molecules with transitory dipoles (charges) are very close to one another and are oriented in the proper manner. Biological molecules such as antibodies and proteins on a virus can exhibit this type of force.
Term
Acid
Definition
A molecule capable of releasing a hydrogen ion.
Term
Base
Definition
Any molecule capable of accepting a proton.
Term
Macromolecules
Definition
Molecules which form the structure and carry out the activities of cells. These include proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and some lipids.
Term
Metabolites
Definition
These are metabolic intermediates. They are compounds formed "along the pathways leading to end products:" products such as amino acids. These might have no function.
Term
Carbohydrates
Definition
Also referred to as glycans. They include simple sugars and all larger molecules constructed of sugar building blocks. They function as stores of chemical energies and as building materials for further biological construction.
Term
Lipids
Definition
Nonpolar biological molecules which dissolve in organic solvents and water. Important types include fats and steroids.
Term
Hexane
Definition
A colorless flammable liquid used as a solvent.
Term
Erythrocytes
Definition
This term means "Red Blood Cell."
Term
Types of Macromolecules in Cells
Definition
Lipids, proteins, DNA, RNA, carbohydrates
Term
µm
Definition
10^-6 meters. Red blood cells are 8 of these.
Term
nm
Definition
10^-9 meters. Equals 10 Angstroms.
Term
pm
Definition
10^-12 meters. A length which is used to describe atoms.
Term
In vivo
Definition
"Within the living." Involves using a whole, living organism, such as in animal testing.
Term
In vitro
Definition
"Within glass." This term describes experimentation on a part of an organism, usually within a test tube or petri dish.
Term
Ampipathic
Definition
"Dual natured." One end is polar and the other is nonpolar.
Term
What bonds do DNA and Proteins have?
Definition
Mainly hydrogen and ionic bonds, but there can be others as well (along with hydrophobic aggregations)
Term
Polar
Definition
Aqueous, hydrophilic, and water soluble.
Term
Nonpolar
Definition
Lipid-like, hydrophobic.
Term
Hydrolysis
Definition
This means DEPOLYMERIZATION with H2O.
Term
Glycogen, Starch
Definition
Metabolic sugar polymers. They differ in their bonds.
Term
Cellulose
Definition
Structural sugar polymer found in cell walls of plants.
Term
Free amino acids
Definition
This means that it is unbound.
Term
How are amino acids bound in a protein?
Definition
They are covalently attached by peptide bonds between neighboring amino and carboxyl groups.
Term
What is the charge of a protein dependent on?
Definition
It is dependent on its pH.
Term
Hemoglobin
Definition
This is a protein which is a linear polymerization of amino acids.
Term
Conformation
Definition
The shape of a linear polymer of amino acids, which is then folded in to this term. Essentially means the organism's 3D shape.
Term
Why is pH important in a protein?
Definition
Amino acid side chains can have different charges at different pH due to ionization by deprotonation.
Term
Glycine
Definition
An amino acid side chain consisting of only one hydrogen atom. Can fit in to either a hydrophobic or hydrophilic environment. Often resides at sites where two polypeptides come in contact.
Term
Cysteine
Definition
An amino acid side chain which has polar, uncharged character while having the unique property of forming a covalent bond with other like side chains to form a disulfide link. Causes curly hair.
Term
Proline
Definition
An amino acid side chain that has hydrophobic character, while having the unique property of making kinks in polypeptide chains and disrupting ordered secondary structure.
Term
Saturated (fatty acid)
Definition
This is a fatty acid with NO double bonds.
Term
Unsaturated (fatty acid)
Definition
A fatty acid with at least one double bond.
Term
Triglyceride
Definition
This term means "fat": contains 3 fatty acids bonded together in to a large molecule.
Term
What parts do a phospholipid contain?
Definition
A polar head group, a glycerol backbone, and fatty acid chains.
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