Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
(425 cards)
What are cells?
- Smallest part of an organism that retains it characteristics
- Provide structure
- Convert nutrients into energy
- Contain DNA and can replicate
- Consist of organelles
- Made from nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids
What are prokaryotes?
The DNA in the cell is not separated from the cytoplasm
Unicellular
Such as bacteria and archaea
No nucleus or membrane bound organelles

What are eukaryotes?
DNA is separated from the cytoplasm by its own membrane
Most are multicellular but amoebae for example is unicellular
Such as plants and animals
Had a nucleus and membrane bound organelles

Describe the cell membrane
Fluid mosaic model
Phospholipid bilayer
Each layer has:
Polar head (phosphate) groups are hydrophilic and face outwards
Non-polar lipid tails which are hydrophobic and face inwards
Semipermeable

How can substances cross the cell membrane?
Diffusion
Facilitated diffusion
Osmosis
Active transport
Simple diffusion across a cell membrane?
Solute moved through permeable membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration
No energy required
Non-polar gases such as O2 and CO2
Hydrophobic molecules such as steroid hormones, lipid soluble vitamins and small lipid soluble drugs
Large polar molecules are repelled by the hydrophobic interior of lipid bilayers so cannot cross by diffusion
4 principles of the modern cell theory
All living things are made up of cells
New cells are formed by the division of pre-existing cells
Cells contain genetic material, which is passed on from parent to daughter cells
All metabolic reactions take place inside the cell
Organisms made up of just one cell
Unicellular
Organisms made up of more than one cell
Multicellular
Differences between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells
Prokaryotes do not have a nucleus or membrane bound organelles
Eukaryotes have genetic material in the nucleus whereas prokaryotes have a main chromosome of DNA called a nucleoid and small rings of DNA called plasmids
Examples of eukaryotes
Animals, plants, fungi
Examples of prokaryotes
Bacteria
Differences between plant and animals cells?
Plant cells also have a cellulose cell wall, plasmodesmata, chloroplasts, large permanent vacuoles but they do not have centrioles
Functions of the cell wall
Provide support for the cell by allowing it to become turgid
Provide mechanical strength to the cell
They are freely permeable to water and substances in solution
The cell walls of adjacent cells are glued together by?
Middle lamella, a jelly like substance made up of calcium pectate and magnesium pectate
What membrane is bound by the tonoplast?
The vacuole in plant cells
What does the vacuole of a plant cell contain?
Cell sap which is a solutions of sugars, amino acids, mineral salts and waste chemicals dissolved in water
Functions of the plant vacuole?
Water enters the vacuole by osmosis
Act as stores for foods like sugar and amino acids
Accumulate waste products
Some contain coloured pigment to give the plant colour
What does the nucleus contain?
DNA
What is the nucleus surrounded by?
Nuclear membrane, it is a double membrane with space in between
What is the name of the material inside the nucleus?
Nucleoplasm. It contains chromatin (made up of DNA) attached to proteins called histones
What does the nucleolus make?
rRNA and assembles ribosomes
Functions of the nucleus?
DNA contains genetic information for synthesis of proteins
Genetic material of the nucleus controls metabolism of the cell
Produces new chromosome material at cell division so each daughter cell is genetically identical
Why does haemoglobin not contain a nucleus?
To save space to enable them to carry more oxygen



