WEEK 2

Question 1

Specify the characteristics associated with life and explain why the cell is the basic unit of life.

Question 2

Describe the levels of structural organization in the body.

Question 3

Describe the structure and the functions of major components of a cell

Question 4

Define metabolism, and distinguish between anabolism and catabolism.

Question 5

Describe the cellular processes involved in the growth of the human body from a fertilized egg to an adult.

Question 6

Describe the importance of cell differentiation to an organism.

Question 7

Describe the general characteristics of each of the following cell types and relate their characteristics to their functions: nerve cell, muscle cell, red blood cell (erythrocyte), white blood cell (leukocyte).

Question 8

List, explain and provide examples of each of the characteristics of life.

Question 9

why the cell is considered to be the basic unit of life.

Question 10

Define each of the following levels of organization in the body:
◦ Chemical level
◦ Cellular level
◦ Tissue level
◦ Organ level
◦ Organ system level
◦ Organismal level

Question 11

Write a clear description of the relationships between the chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal levels of organization in the body.

Question 12

Describe the structure (be able to identify them in a diagram) and describe the functions of the
following cytoplasmic components:
◦ Cell membrane (plasma membrane)
◦ Endoplasmic reticulum
◦ Ribosomes
◦ Golgi apparatus (Golgi complex)
◦ Lysosomes
◦ Mitochondria
◦ Vesicle

Question 13

Describe the structure (be able to identify them in a diagram) and describe the functions of the following nuclear components:
◦ Nuclear envelope
◦ Chromosomes
◦ Nucleolus

Question 14

Use a full page to draw (by hand, and neatly!) an annotated diagram of a cell showing all of the following structures and briefly describing the function of each (a simple, flattened diagram is fine, no need to show 3D structures, but the defining characteristics of each named structure should be clear):
◦ Plasma membrane
◦ Nuclear envelope
◦ Nucleus
◦ Nucleolus
◦ Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
◦ Rough endoplasmic reticulum
◦ Bound ribosomes
◦ Free ribosomes
◦ Golgi apparatus (or Golgi complex)
◦ Lysosomes
◦ Mitochondria
◦ Vesicles

Question 15

Describe the structure (name all the components and describe their relationships to each other) and list the general functions of the “endomembrane system”.

Question 16

Define the term “metabolism”.

Question 17

Write a single sentence that clearly differentiates between “anabolism” and “catabolism”.

Question 18

Distinguish between cell division, cell growth and cell differentiation.

Question 19

Provide two examples of cell types in the human body that do not undergo cell division.

Question 20

Define the term “stem cell”.

Question 21

Describe how cell differentiation allows cells to serve specialized functions.

Question 22

Explain why it is important in the human body to have cells specialized in performing particular functions, rather than having all cells be identical to each other.

Question 23

Describe the general structural characteristics (morphology) and function of each of the following cell types:
◦ Neuron
◦ Muscle fiber
◦ Erythrocyte
◦ Leukocyte

Question 24

Describe the “fluid mosaic” model of membrane structure including the membrane components.

Question 25

Describe how the structure of the cell membrane affects membrane permeability.

Question 26

Describe the following passive processes: diffusion, facilitated diffusion and osmosis. Explain the function of each in a cell.

Question 27

Describe and explain the effects of placing red blood cells in hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic solutions, respectively.

Question 28

Describe the following active processes: primary and secondary active transport, endocytosis (phagocytosis, pinocytosis), and exocytosis. Explain the function of each in a cell.

Question 29

Describe the characteristics of the plasma membrane that are captured by describing its structure as a ‘fluid mosaic’. (i.e.: explain why it is appropriate to refer to the membrane as ‘fluid’ AND why it is appropriate to refer to the membrane as a ‘mosaic’.)

Question 30

Describe how the structural components of the plasma membrane make it “selectively permeable”, rather than permeable or impermeable. In your description be sure to refer to the types of molecules that may pass easily (or not) through the membrane, and what chemical characteristics they share that makes them capable (or incapable) of doing so.

Question 31

Describe and explain the effects (i.e.: on cell size, cell shape, and cytosol solute concentrations) of placing red blood cells in a solution that is:
◦ Hypertonic relative to the cytosol
◦ Hypotonic relative to the cytosol
◦ Isotonic relative to the cytosol

Question 32

Compare and contrast (with the use of annotated diagrams) the characteristics of the following in terms of (a) ATP requirements, (b) molecules moved, (c) size of material moved, and (d) the direction of movement (i.e.: relative to its own concentration gradient, relative to another molecule or molecule type’s concentration gradient, and/or relative to the cell’s internal vs. external environment):
◦ Active and passive transport mechanisms
◦ Simple and facilitated diffusion
◦ Facilitated diffusion and osmosis
◦ Primary and secondary active transport
◦ Facilitated diffusion and secondary active transport
◦ Exocytosis and endocytosis
◦ Pinocytosis and phagocytosis
◦ Phagocytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis