Category: Biology Dictionary C

Chemoautotroph Definition Chemoautotrophs are cells that create their own energy and biological materials from inorganic chemicals. In nature, “autotrophs” are organisms that don’t need to eat because they make their own biological materials and energy. This term comes from the Greek “auto” for “self” and “troph” for “to eat” or “to feed.” Autotrophs form the […]

Chemiosmosis Definition Chemiosmosis is when ions move by diffusion across a semi-permeable membrane, such as the membrane inside mitochondria. Ions are molecules with a net electric charge, such as Na+, Cl–, or specifically in chemiosmosis that generates energy, H+. During chemiosmosis, ions move down an electrochemical gradient, which is a gradient of electrochemical potential (a […]

Chemical Formula Definition A chemical formula is a notation used by scientists to show the number and type of atoms present in a molecule, using the atomic symbols and numerical subscripts. A chemical formula is a simple representation, in writing, of a three dimensional molecule that exists. A chemical formula describes a substance, down to […]

Chemical Biology Definition Chemical biology is a scientific discipline that combines chemistry and biology by using chemistry and chemical techniques to study biological systems. The main difference between chemical biology and biochemistry is that chemical biology involves adding novel chemical compounds to a biological system, while biochemistry is the study of chemical reactions that naturally […]

Channel Protein Definition A channel protein is a special arrangement of amino acids which embeds in the cell membrane, providing a hydrophilic passageway for water and small, polar ions. Like all transport proteins, each channel protein has a size and shape which excludes all but the most specific molecules. A generic channel protein is seen below, embedded within […]

Cervical Vertebrae Definition The cervical vertebrae are the bones within the neck. The vertebrae are the bones that make up the backbone of vertebrate animals. These cervical bones are the smallest in the body in mammals, although they are not the smallest bones found within the animal. The bones are identified as C1 through C7, […]

Ceruloplasmin Definition Ceruloplasmin is an enzyme produced in the liver that transports more than 95% of the copper in blood plasma. Its function is to oxidize ferrous iron into ferric iron — a reaction that requires copper — in order to allow the transport of iron. The ceruloplasmin test, which assesses the levels of ceruloplasmin […]

Centrosome Definition Centrosomes are organelles that serve as the main microtubule-organizing centers for animal cells. Centrosomes are made up of two, barrel-shaped clusters of microtubules called “centrioles” and a complex of proteins that help additional microtubules to form. This complex is also known as the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC), since it helps organize the spindle fibers […]

Centromere Definition The centromere is the point on a chromosome where mitotic spindle fibers attach to pull sister chromatids apart during cell division. When a cell seeks to reproduce itself, it must first make a complete copy of each of its chromosomes, to ensure that their daughter cell receives a full complement of the parent […]

Centriole Definition A centriole is a small structure made of microtubules which exists as part of the centrosome, which helps organize microtubules in the body. A centriole is the main unit that creates and anchors microtubules in the cell. Typically, a eukaryotic cell has one centriole that is at a right angle to a second centriole […]