MCB Definitions

Question 1

Define Axoneme

Answer 1

structural core of cilia and flagella for cellular motility.

Question 2

Define Clastogen

Answer 2

agents causing breaks or alterations in chromosomes, inducing genetic damage.

Question 3

Define Colloidal osmotic pressure (COP)

Answer 3

a form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins in a blood vessel’s plasma that tends to pull water into the circulatory system.

Question 4

Define Desmosomes

Answer 4

junctions anchoring adjacent cells, providing mechanical strength to tissues.

Question 5

Define Dynein

Answer 5

motor protein moving towards minus end of microtubules.

Question 5

Define Endocrine

Answer 5

secretion into the bloodstream.

Question 6

Define Endocytosis

Answer 6

the process by which cells take materials in through an invagination of the plasma membrane.

Question 7

Define Exocrine

Answer 7

secretion into a duct or lumen.

Question 8

Define Exocytosis

Answer 8

the process by which materials exit the cell via fusion of a vesicle with the plasma membrane.

Question 9

Define Functional RNA

Answer 9

RNA that is not translated but has a biological role.

Question 10

Define General transcription factors (GTF)

Answer 10

proteins required to initiate transcription.

Question 11

Define Glycolipids

Answer 11

membrane lipids that contain sugar or sugars in their polar head group.

Question 12

Define Glycoproteins

Answer 12

proteins with carbohydrate chains attached, involved in cell recognition and signalling.

Question 13

Define Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

Answer 13

polysaccharides with repeating disaccharide units, integral to extracellular matrix structure.

Question 14

Define Isoforms

Answer 14

variant forms of a gene or protein product.

Question 15

Define Kinase

Answer 15

add phosphate groups.

Question 16

Define Kinesins

Answer 16

motor protein moving towards plus end of microtubules.

Question 17

Define Lipid rafts

Answer 17

cholesterol-rich cell membrane domains facilitating signalling, trafficking, and compartmentalization in cells.

Question 18

Define Metazoans

Answer 18

multicellular animals.

Question 19

Define Missense mutation

Answer 19

changes the amino acid, affecting protein structure and function.

Question 20

Define Modular

Answer 20

made up of identifiable protein domains which have particular structures and functions.

Question 21

Define Modulatory

Answer 21

modifies protein activity through post-translational modification.

Question 22

Define Nonsense mutation

Answer 22

changes that result in a truncated protein or mRNA degradation due to a premature STOP codon.

Question 23

Define Nucleolus

Answer 23

region in nucleus producing ribosomal RNA.

Question 24

Define Nucleoplasm

Answer 24

gel-like substance containing cell's DNA, nucleic acids, and proteins.

Question 25

Define Oedema

Answer 25

swelling of a tissue because of the accumulation of excess interstitial fluid.

Question 26

Define Perinuclear space

Answer 26

space between the nucleus and the surrounding cytoplasm in a cell.

Question 27

Define Phosphatase

Answer 27

remove phosphate groups.

Question 28

Define Polysome

Answer 28

multiple ribosomes simultaneously translating the same mRNA at once.

Question 29

Define Protofilament

Answer 29

individual linear chain of protein subunits in microtubules.

Question 30

Define Proteoglycans

Answer 30

protein associated GAGs.

Question 31

Define Purine

Answer 31

double-ring nitrogenous base.

Question 32

Define Pyrimidine

Answer 32

single-ring nitrogenous base.

Question 33

Define Silent mutations

Answer 33

mutations which cause no practical change as the same amino acid is added to the polypeptide chain.

Question 34

Define Tight junctions

Answer 34

junctions sealing adjacent cells together to prevent substances passing between.

Question 35

Define Tissues

Answer 35

cells whose type, organization, and architecture are integral to their function, made of extracellular matrix and fluid.

Question 36

Define Tonicity

Answer 36

the strength of a solution as it affects final cell volume (depends on permeability and solution composition).

Question 37

Define Zonulae Junctions

Answer 37

junctions sealing adjacent cells together to prevent substances passing between.

Question 38

Define Transduction

Answer 38

process of converting one form of energy into another within a biological system.