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Foundations of Medicine > Anatomy of the Cell > Flashcards

Anatomy of the Cell Flashcards

(61 cards)

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1
Q

What are the common features of all eukaryotic cells?

A
  • outer membrane
  • inner cytosol (cytoplasm)
  • cytoskeleton
  • membrane bound organelles
  • inclusions
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2
Q

What is cytosol (cytoplasm) made up of?

A

Solution of proteins, electrolytes and carbohydrates

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3
Q

What is the function of the cytoskeleton?

A

Determines the shape and fluidity of the cell

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3
Q

What is the function of the plasma membrane?

A

Separates the cytoplasm from the outside environment

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3
Q

Describe the composition of the plasma membrane.

A

Bimolecular layer of amphipathic phospholipid molecules

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4
Q

Describe the orientation of the phospholipid molecules of the plasma membrane.

A

Hydrophilic heads pointing to the outer and inner surfaces.
Hydrophobic fatty acid chains facing towards middle of the 2 layers

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5
Q

List all the integral proteins which lie within the cell membrane.

A
  • receptors
  • channels
  • transporters
  • enzymes
  • cell attachment proteins
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6
Q

True or false: A cell has the ability to exo and endocytose material through the cell membrane.

A

True

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7
Q

Describe what is meant by “the cell membrane is fluid”.

A

it can change its shape easily
not fixed in one rigid position

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8
Q

Are all proteins that lie in the cell membrane distributed equally?

A

No
Some of the membrane proteins can diffuse laterally along the cell membrane but most of the proteins are anchored.

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9
Q

What is the cell membrane permeable to?

A
  • water
  • oxygen
  • small hydrophobic molecules
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10
Q

What is the cell membrane impermeable to?

A

charged ions (Na+)

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11
Q

Define organelle

A

Small, intracellular organs with specific functions and structural organisation

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12
Q

Are organelles essential to life

A

Yes

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13
Q

Where are organelles found in cells?

A

In the cytoplasm

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14
Q

List the organelles found in the cytoplasm.

A
  • mitochondria
  • rough endoplasmic reticulum
  • smooth endoplasmic reticulum
  • golgi apparatus
  • lysosomes
  • nucleus
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15
Q

What organelles contain DNA?

A
  • nucleus
  • mitochondria
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16
Q

Function of mitochondria

A

energy production

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17
Q

Function of rough endoplasmic reticulum

A

protein synthesis

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18
Q

Function of smooth endoplasmic reticulum

A

synthesis and detoxification of cholesterol and lipid

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19
Q

Function of golgi apparatus

A

modification and packaging of secretions

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20
Q

Function of lysosomes

A

produce hydrolytic enzymes for intracellular digestion

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21
Q

Function of nucleus

A

contains genetic code

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22
Q

Define cellular inclusions

A

Non living substances found within the cytoplasm that are not bound by a membrane

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23
List some examples of cellular inclusions
- pigmentation - lipids - proteins
24
What are the 3 main classes of filament found in the cytoskeleton?
- microfilaments - intermediate filaments - microtubules
25
How do the cytoskeletal proteins create the cytoskeleton?
filamentous proteins become attached to cell membrane and each other by anchoring and joining proteins to form internal scaffolding
26
Features of microfilaments
- 7 nm in diameter - composed of actin
27
What makes microfilament dynamic cytoskeletal elements?
actin molecules can assemble and later dissociate making them dynamic
28
Describe the features of intermediate filaments
- ~10 nm - composed of 6 main proteins - proteins vary in different cell types
29
What are the classes of intermediate filaments?
neurofilaments --> nerve cells glial fibrillary acidic protein --> nervous glial cells desmin --> muscle cells cytokeratins --> epithelial cells vimentin --> mesenchymal cells filesin --> lens of the eye lamin --> nuclei of all cells
30
Describe microtubules
- 25 nm in diameter - composed of 2 proteins (alpha/beta) - originate from centrosome - can be assembled and disassembled - contain MAPS (stabilising proteins)
31
What microstructures are microtubules important in?
- cilia - flagella - mitotic spindle
32
Define kinesin
ATPase that moves toward cell periphery
33
Define dynein
ATPase that moves toward the cell centre
34
What is the role of dynein and kinesin
important in movement of components in cells with long processes attach to microtubules and move along them
35
Describe the nuclear envelope
- composed of inner and outer nuclear membrane - nuclear pores provide continuity with cytoplasm
36
Describe the outer nuclear membrane
- studded with ribosomes - continuous with cytoplasmic RER
37
What is the function of the nucleus?
- contains chromosomes - location of RNA synthesis - transcription of tRNA and mRNA
38
What does the nucleus contain?
- euchromatin - heterochromatin - nucleolus
39
Define euchromatin.
DNA that is more dispersed and actively undergoing transcription
40
Describe heterochromatin.
DNA that is highly condensed and not undergoing transcription
41
What is the function of the nucleolus?
transcription of rRNA
42
Describe the features of ribosomes.
- formed in the nucleolus - instrumental in protein synthesis
43
Describe the structure of ribosomes
- small, RNA binding subunit - large subunit that catalyses the formation of peptide bonds
44
Describe the structure of the endoplasmic reticulum
network of interconnecting membrane bound compartments in a cell
45
Describe the structure of the RER
studded with ribosomes
46
What is the role of the RER?
- synthesis of proteins destined for insertion into membranes or secretion - associated with initiation of glycoprotein formation
47
What is the function of SER
- continues processing of proteins produced in the RER - vital role as the site of lipid synthesis
48
Describe the structure of the golgi apparatus.
- group of flattened membrane bound cisternae - arranged in sub-compartments
49
What is the function of the golgi apparatus?
- transport vesicles arrive at golgi from SER/RER - cisterns function in modification and packaging of macromolecules that were synthesised in the ER - adds sugars - cleaves some proteins
50
Describe the structure of a mitochondria
- oblong/cylindrical - inner and outer membrane - inner membrane extensively folded to increase surface area
51
What is the function of the mitochondria?
- function in the generation of ATP via oxidative phosphorylation - synthesis of certain lipids and proteins - contains own DNA and system for protein production
52
Define intercellular junctions
specialised membrane structures which link individual cells together into a functional unit
53
Where are intercellular junctions most prominent?
in epithelia
54
What are the 3 types of junction?
- Occluding - Anchoring - Communicating
55
Define occluding junctions
- link cells to form a diffusion barrier - appear as a focal region of close apposition between adjacent cell membranes
56
Define anchoring junctions.
- provide mechanical strength - link sub-membrane actin bundles of adjacent cells via transmembrane cadherin molecules in the extracellular space
57
Describe desmosomes
- anchoring junction - common in skin - link sub-membrane intermediate filaments of adjacent cells
58
Define communicating junctions.
- allow selective diffusion of molecules between adjacent cells - circular patch with pores produced by connexon proteins
59
What is a junctional complex?
close association of several types of junctions found in certain epithelial tissues

Foundations of Medicine (5 decks)

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