Biochemistry of cells Flashcards
(23 cards)
Plasmolysis
contraction of the protoplast of a plant cell as a result of loss of water from the cell.
Cytolysis
the dissolution or disruption of cells, esp. by an external agent.
Turgor Pressure
Turgor pressure pushes the plasma membrane against the cell wall of plant, bacteria, and fungi cells as well as those protist cells which have cell walls.
Osmosis
a process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one, thus equalizing the concentrations on each side of the membrane.
Pinocytosis
the ingestion of liquid into a cell by the budding of small vesicles from the cell membrane.
Endocytosis
the taking in of matter by a living cell by invagination of its membrane to form a vacuole.
Exocytosis
a process by which the contents of a cell vacuole are released to the exterior through fusion of the vacuole membrane with the cell membrane.
Carrier Protien
are proteins involved in the movement of large molecules in and out of a cell, down their concentration gradient.
Passive Transport
transport of a substance across a cell membrane by diffusion; expenditure of energy is not required
Diffusion
the spreading of something more widely.
Facilitated Diffusion
is the spontaneous passage of molecules or ions across a biological membrane passing through specific transmembrane integral proteins.
Ion Channel
A single protein or protein complex that traverses the lipid bilayer of cell membrane and form a channel to facilitate the movement of ions through the membrane according to their electrochemical gradient
Concentration gradient
a gradient in concentration of a solute as a function of distance through a solution; “the movement of a solute down its concentration gradient is called diffusion
Hypertonic
A solution that has higher osmotic pressure (or has more solutes) than another solution to which it is compared.
Hypotonic
having reduced pressure or tone, in particular.
Equilibrium
a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.
Isotonic
denoting or relating to a solution having the same osmotic pressure as some other solution, esp. one in a cell or a body fluid.
Contractile vacuole
a vacuole in some protozoans that expels excess liquid on contraction.
Phagocyte
a type of cell within the body capable of engulfing and absorbing bacteria and other small cells and particles.
Active transport
the movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane into a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy.
Vesicles
a fluid- or air-filled cavity or sac, in particular.
Phagocytosis
the ingestion of bacteria or other material by phagocytes and ameboid protozoans.
Sodium Potassium Pump
Na+ /K+ -ATPase is an antiporter enzyme located in the plasma membrane of all animal cells. The Na+ /K+ -ATPase enzyme pumps sodium out of cells, while pumping potassium into cells.
