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Cell Structure, Membrane Transport, and Cell Division in Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (34)

  • Inclusions
    Nonliving materials stored in the cytoplasm, such as pigments, nutrients, or waste products.
  • Interstitial fluid
    Extracellular fluid that surrounds and bathes the body's cells.
  • Glycocalyx
    A carbohydrate-rich coating on the outside of the plasma membrane that helps with cell protection and recognition.
  • Glycoprotein
    A protein with carbohydrate chains attached; involved in cell recognition and communication.
  • Tight junctions
    Connections between cells that prevent substances from passing between them.
  • Desmosome
    A strong cell-to-cell attachment that helps tissues resist stretching and pulling.
  • Gap junction
    A connection between cells that allows ions and small molecules to pass directly between them.
  • Passive process
    Movement across a membrane that does not require cellular energy (ATP).
  • Diffusion
    Movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration.
  • Simple diffusion
    Movement of small or lipid-soluble substances directly through the membrane.
  • Facilitated diffusion
    Movement of substances down their concentration gradient through membrane proteins.
  • Osmosis
    Diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
  • Isotonic solution
    A solution with the same effective solute concentration as the cell, causing no net water movement.
  • Hypertonic solution
    A solution with a higher effective solute concentration than the cell, causing water to leave the cell.
  • Hypotonic solution
    A solution with a lower effective solute concentration than the cell, causing water to enter the cell.
  • Filtration
    Movement of water and small solutes through a membrane due to pressure.
  • Microvilli
    Tiny membrane projections that increase a cell's surface area for absorption.
  • Active transport
    Movement of substances across a membrane using cellular energy (ATP), usually against a concentration gradient.
  • Sodium-potassium pump
    A membrane protein that uses ATP to move 3 Na⁺ out of a cell and 2 K⁺ into a cell.
  • Vesicular transport
    Movement of substances into or out of cells using membrane-bound vesicles.
  • Exocytosis
    Process in which a vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane and releases its contents outside the cell.
  • Endocytosis
    Process in which the plasma membrane surrounds and brings substances into the cell.
  • Phagocytosis
    "Cell eating"; endocytosis of large particles or cells.
  • Pinocytosis
    "Cell drinking"; endocytosis of extracellular fluid and dissolved substances.
  • Receptor-mediated endocytosis
    Selective endocytosis where specific molecules bind to membrane receptors before being brought into the cell.
  • Transcription
    Process of using DNA as a template to make mRNA.
  • Translation
    Process of using mRNA instructions to assemble a protein at a ribosome.
  • Interphase
    Period when a cell grows, performs normal functions, and replicates its DNA before division.
  • Mitosis
    Division of the nucleus that produces two genetically identical nuclei.
  • Prophase
    Stage of mitosis when chromosomes condense, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the spindle begins to form.
  • Metaphase
    Stage of mitosis when chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell.
  • Anaphase
    Stage of mitosis when sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite ends of the cell.
  • Telophase
    Stage of mitosis when chromosomes reach opposite ends and new nuclear envelopes form.
  • Cytokinesis
    Division of the cytoplasm that separates one cell into two daughter cells.