Cells official content key terms

Oncogene

A gene that has the potential to cause cancer when mutated or expressed at high levels.

Tumor suppressor gene

A gene that protects a cell from one step on the path to cancer; its loss of function can lead to uncontrolled cell division.

Viral replication

The process by which a virus makes copies of itself using the host cell's machinery.

Host cell

A living cell that a virus infects and uses to replicate its genetic material and produce new viral particles.

Cell Cycle

The series of phases that a cell goes through from its formation until it divides into two daughter cells.

Cytokinesis

The process that follows mitosis, where the cytoplasm of a parental cell divides into two daughter cells.

Phospholipid Bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids that makes up the cell membrane, with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.

Selective Permeability

The property of cell membranes that allows certain molecules to pass through while restricting others.

Facilitated Diffusion

A process that allows substances to cross membranes with the assistance of special proteins, without the use of energy.

Concentration Gradient

A difference in the concentration of a substance across a space, which drives diffusion and osmosis.

Electrochemical gradient

The gradient of electrochemical potential, usually for an ion that can move across a membrane, which influences the movement of ions and molecules.

Active transport

The movement of molecules across a membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy, typically from ATP.

Water potential

The potential energy of water in a system, influencing the movement of water across membranes.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane, driven by differences in water potential.

Selectively permeable

A property of cell membranes that allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others.

Diffusion

The net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Antigen

A substance that induces an immune response, typically by being recognized as foreign by the immune system.

Cell-surface molecule

Molecules located on the cell membrane that play a key role in cell recognition and communication, including glycoproteins and glycolipids.

Phagocytosis

The process by which a cell engulfs solid particles, such as pathogens, to form an internal compartment known as a phagosome.

Lymphocyte

A type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system, including B cells and T cells, which are crucial for adaptive immunity.

Antibody

A protein produced by B cells that specifically binds to an antigen to neutralize it or mark it for destruction.

Opsonization

The process by which pathogens are marked for ingestion and destruction by phagocytes, often facilitated by antibodies.

Antigen

A molecule or part of a pathogen that is recognized by the immune system, triggering an immune response.

Immunity

The ability of an organism to resist infection or disease, often developed through exposure to pathogens or vaccination.

Antigen

A molecule or part of a pathogen that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibodies.

CD4+ T cells

A type of immune cell that plays a crucial role in the immune response by helping other cells in the immune system.

Antimicrobial

A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.

Aseptic technique

A set of practices used to prevent contamination by pathogens during laboratory procedures.