Essential Cell Biology: Chapter 1
Cells - The basic unit from which a living organism is made; consists of an aqueous solution of organic
molecules enclosed by a membrane.
Cell Biology - The study of cells and their structure, function and behavior.
Cilium (cilia) - Hairlike structure made of microtubules found on the surface of many eukaryotic cells;
when present in large numbers, its rhythmic beating can drive the movement of fluid over the cell
surface, as in the epithelium of lungs.
DNA - Double-stranded polynucleotide formed from two separate chains of covalently linked
deoxyribonucleotide units. It serves as the cell's store of genetic information that is transmitted from
generation to generation.
RNA - Molecule produced by the transcription DNA; usually single-stranded , it is a polynucleotide
composed of covalently linked ribonucleotide subunits. Serves a variety of structural, catalytic and
regulatory functions as well.
Protein - Polymer built from amino acids that provides cells with their shape and structure and performs
most of their activities.
Central Dogma - Th principle that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein.
Amino Acids - Small organic molecule containing both an amino group and a carboxylic group; it serves
as the building block of proteins.
Conformation - Precise, three-dimensional shape of a protein or other macromolecule, based on the
spatial location of its atoms in relation to one another.
Mutations - A randomly produced, permanent change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA.
