Cell Physiology Flashcards
(55 cards)
principles of the cell theory
- the cell is the smallest structural and functional unit capable of carrying out the life process
- the functional activities of each cell depend on the specific structural properties of the cell
- cells are the living building blocks of all multicellular organisms
principles of the cell theory (cont)
- an organism’s structure and function ultimately depend on the collective structural characteristics and functional capabilities of its cells
- all new cells and new life arise only from preexisting cells
- because of continuity of life, the cells of all organisms are fundamentally similar in structure and function
cells three major parts
- plasma membrane
- nucleus
- cytoplasm
plasma membrane
- encloses the cell
- thin membranous structure
- keeps ICF within the cells and ECF outside the cells
nucleus
-houses the cells genetic material DNA and chromosomes
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
- serves as a genetic blueprint during cell replication
- directing protein synthesis
cell composition
water ions: 70-85% of cell mass
proteins: 10-20%
lipids: 2-95%
carbohydrates: 1-6%
lipids
- barrier to water and water-soluble substances
- organized in a bilayer of phospholipid molecules
- keeps ECF and ICF separated
- hydrophobic tail- water fearing
- hydrophilic head- water loving
proteins
- provide specificity to a membrane
- has integral and peripheral types
integral proteins
- transmembrane
- proteins that go through the membrane
- channels, pores, carriers, enzymes
peripheral
- polar proteins that do not go all the way through the membrane
- enzymes, intracellular signal mediators (carry signal in, on the boundary)
- more commonly found on inner surface
carbohydrate
- located on the outer surface of cells
- protrude like tiny antennas
- glycolipids 10%
- glycoproteins, majority of integral proteins
- proteoglycans
- negative charge on chain repels other negative charges
- cell-cell attachments and interactions
- play a role in immune reactions
cholesterol
- varying amounts in membranes
- increases membrane flexibility and stability
- in between the phospholipid molecules
- prevent fatty acid chains from packing together and crystallizing
organelles
- highly organized structures that serve a specific function
- membranous (bound by a membrane that separates the organelles content from the cytosol) and nonmembranous
smooth ER
- serves primarily as a central packaging and discharge site for molecules to be transported
- abundant in cells specialized in lipid metabolism
- secretory product into transport vesicles that bud off and move to the Golgi complex
rough ER
- studded with ribosomes
- carry out protein synthesis and release new proteins into the ER lumen
ribosomes
- nonmembranous organelles
- carry out protein synthesis by translating mRNA into chain of amino acids in the ordered sequence from the original DNA code
Golgi complex
- membranous organelle
- modifies molecules delivered to it from the smooth ER into finished products
- sort, packages and directs molecules to appropriate destination
- in secretory cells, packages proteins for export by exocytosis
exocytosis
- finished products collects within the edges of the Golgi sacs
- pinched edge forms a membrane-enclosed vesicles containing the selected product
- the vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane and empties it contents
lysosomes
- vesicular organelle formed from budding Golgi
- contains hydrolytic enzymes (phosphatases, nucleases, proteases, lipid-degrading enzymes, lysozymes digest bacteria)
- fuses with pinocytotic or phagocytotic vesicles
pinocytotic
- “cell drinking”
- a droplet of ECF is taken up nonselectively
- forms endocytic vesicle (endosome)
phagocytosis
- “cell eating”
- large multimolecular particles are internalized
- certain types of white blood cells
- pseudopods (false feet) surround or engulf the particle and internalize it as a phagosome
- lysosome fuses (phagolysosome) and releases its hydrolytic enzymes
lysosomal storage diseases
- absence of one or more hydrolases
- not synthesized, inactive or not properly sorted and packaged
- lysosomal become engorged with undigested substrate
peroxisome
- similar physically to lysosomes
- self-replication and contain oxidases
- function: oxidize substances (alcohol) that may be otherwise poisonous
- use oxygen to strip hydrogen from certain organic molecules
- decompose hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)