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Cell Biology Fundamentals Study Guide

This guide details the structure and function of lysosomes, including their role in autophagy and endocytosis, and the mannose 6-phosphate tagging system. It also covers the smooth endoplasmic reticulum's functions in lipid metabolism, detoxification via Cytochrome P450 enzymes, and calcium sequestration, including the specialized sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells. Key concepts include acid hydrolases, I-cell disease, and the importance of these organelles in maintaining cellular homeostasi

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Cellular Structures, Organelle Function, and Genetic Regulation

Cell Biology and Organelle Structure

Understand the structure and function of organelles, subcellular structures, and protein trafficking pathways.

  • organelles
  • subcellular structures
  • secretory and non-secretory pathways
  • post-translational modifications
  • protein degradation
  • proteasome
  • nucleus
  • endoplasmic reticulum
  • Golgi apparatus
  • lysosome
  • peroxisome
  • mitochondrion
  • ribosome
  • cytosol
  • cytoplasm

Structure and Function of Cellular Organelles

This content examines the structure and function of the nucleus, ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and the secretory pathway.

  • Nucleus
  • Chromatin
  • Euchromatin
  • Heterochromatin
  • Nucleolus
  • Nuclear envelope
  • Nuclear pores
  • Nuclear lamina
  • Nucleoplasm
  • Ribosome
  • Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
  • N-linked glycosylation
  • Chaperones
  • Golgi apparatus
  • O-linked glycosylation
  • Exocytosis
  • Secretory pathway

Organelle Structure and Protein Degradation

Understand the structure and function of organelles, the secretory and non-secretory pathways, and the mechanism for directing proteins to the proteasome for degradation.

  • Secretory pathway
  • Non-secretory pathways
  • Post-translational modifications
  • Proteasome
  • Ubiquitin-proteasome system
  • Polyubiquitination
  • Protein degradation
  • Misfolded and damaged proteins
  • Subcellular structures

Lysosome and Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Functions

Lysosomal acid hydrolases undergo post-translational modification with mannose 6-phosphate tags, while smooth endoplasmic reticulum performs lipid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium sequestration.

  • Lysosome enzymatic degradation
  • Autophagy
  • Post-translational modification
  • I-cell disease
  • Mucolipidosis type II
  • Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
  • Lipid synthesis
  • Detoxification of lipophilic drugs
  • Cytochrome P450 enzymes
  • Sarcoplasmic reticulum
  • Calcium sequestration

Regulation of Gene Expression

This module covers the regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes using the lac operon and in eukaryotes through histone and DNA modifications, amount of DNA, arrangement of DNA, and mobile elements.

  • prokaryotic gene regulation
  • eukaryotic gene expression
  • chromatin remodeling
  • epigenetic modifications
  • histone acetylation
  • histone deacetylation
  • histone methylation
  • cytosine methylation
  • DNA methyltransferase
  • CpG islands
  • gene amplification
  • mobile DNA elements
  • alternative splicing
  • mRNA editing
  • micro RNAs
  • trans-acting molecules
  • cis-regulatory elements

DNA Damage and Repair Mechanisms

Mechanisms for repairing single-strand breaks and double-strand breaks in the DNA backbone include Base-Excision Repair, Nonhomologous End-Joining, and Homologous Recombination.

  • Single-strand breaks (SSBs)
  • Double-strand breaks (DSBs)
  • Base-Excision Repair (BER)
  • Nonhomologous End-Joining
  • Ku protein
  • Homologous Recombination (HR)
  • Deamination
  • Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER)
  • Mismatch Repair (MMR)

Prokaryotic Gene Regulation and DNA Repair Mechanisms

Regulation of Gene Expression in Prokaryotes

Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes involves the operon concept, including cis-acting regulatory elements and the lactose operon.

  • Operon concept
  • Cis-acting regulatory elements
  • Polycistronic mRNA
  • Lactose operon
  • Lac Z β-galactosidase
  • Lac Y Permease
  • Lac A Thiogalactoside transacetylase
  • Repressor Protein
  • Catabolite gene Activator Protein (CAP)
  • cAMP complex
  • Adenylate cyclase
  • Glucose preference

Topic 1

DNA Damage, Repair, and Clinical Significance

Defective DNA repair mechanisms lead to genetic disorders and cancer, involving pathways such as base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair, mismatch repair, homologous recombination, and non-homologous end joining.

  • Base Excision Repair (BER)
  • Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER)
  • Mismatch Repair (MMR)
  • Homologous Recombination (HR)
  • Non-Homologous End Joining
  • Transcription-Coupled NER (TC-NER)
  • Direct Reversal
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia
  • Bloom Syndrome
  • Cockayne Syndrome
  • Progeria (HGPS)
  • Trichothiodystrophy
  • Xeroderma Pigmentosum
  • Lynch Syndrome (HNPCC)
  • BRCA1/2 mutations
  • Double-strand breaks (DSBs)
  • Oxidative DNA damage
  • Alkylating agents
  • Platinum-based drugs
  • Topoisomerase inhibitors

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