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fatty acid:
Compound such as palmitic acid that has a carboxylic acid attached
to a long hydrocarbon chain. Used as a major source of energy
during metabolism and as a starting point for the synthesis of
phospholipids.
fertilization:
Fusion of a male and a female gamete (both haploid) to form a
diploid zygote, which develops into a new individual.
fibroblast:
Common cell type found in connective tissue. Secretes an extracellular
matrix rich in collagen and other extracellular matrix macromolecules.
Migrates and proliferates readily in wounded tissue and in tissue
culture.
fixative:
Chemical reagent such as formaldehyde or osmium tetroxide used
to preserve cells for microscropy. Samples treated with these
reagents are said to be "fixed," and the process is
called fixation.
flagellum (plural flagella):
Long, whiplike protrusion whose undulations drive a cell through
a fluid medium. Eucaryotic flagella are longer versions of cilia;
bacterial flagella are completely different, being smaller and
simpler in construction.
fluorescein:
Fluorescent dye that fluoresces green when illuminated with blue
light or ultraviolet light.
fluorescent dye:
Molecule that absorbs light at one wavelength and responds by
emitting light at another wavelength; the emitted light is of
longer wavelength (and hence of lower energy) than the light absorbed.
focal contact (adhesion plaque):
Small region on the surface of a fibroblast or other cell that
is anchored to the extracellular matrix. The attachment is mediated
by transmembrane proteins such as integrins, which are linked,
through other proteins, to actin filaments in the cytoplasm.
follicle cell:
One of the cell types that surround a developing oocyte or egg.
free energy (G):
Energy that can be extracted from a system to drive reactions.
Takes into account changes in both energy and entropy.
free-energy change ( DG):
Change in the free energy during a reaction: the free energy of
the product molecules minus the free energy of the starting molecules.
A large negative value of DG indicates
that the reaction has a strong tendency to occur.
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