Cell Structure Flashcards
structure of eukaryotes, structure of prokaryotes & viruses, methods of studying cells & all cells arise from other cells (112 cards)
What are eukaryotes and prokaryotes?
Eukaryotic: DNA is contained in a nucleus, contains membrane-bound specialised organelles e.g. plant, animal and fungi
Prokaryotic: DNA is ‘free’ in cytoplasm, no organelles e.g. bacteria and archaea
Structure of the Nucleus?
- large membrane-bound organelle, surrounded by nuclear envelope which contains many pores
- nucleus contains chromosomes and 1 or more structure called a nucleolus (assembles cell’s ribosomes)
The function of a nucleus?
- houses the cell’s genetic material/DNA, and is also the site of synthesis for ribosomes (nucleolus) = the cellular machines that assemble proteins
Structure of the cell-surface membrane?
- found on the surface of animal cells and just inside cell wall of others (plants)
- phospholipid bilayer with intrinsic and extrinsic proteins
Function of the cell-surface membrane?
- regulates movement of substances in and out of cell
- also has receptor molecules on it, which allow it to respond to chemicals like hormones
Structure of mitochondrion?
- oval shaped
- double membrane (inner one folded to form cristae and inside is matrix which contains enzymes involved in respiration)
Function of mitochondrion?
- site of aerobic respiration, where ATP is produced
- Found in large numbers in cells that are v actice and require a lot of energy
Structure of the Golgi Apparatus?
- group of membrane-bound fluid-filled flattened sacs
- vesicles are often seen at edge of sacs
Function of Golgi Apparatus?
- processes and packages new lipids and proteins.
- also makes lysosomes
Structure of Golgi Vesicle?
- membrane-bound
- small fluid-filled sac in cytoplasm, and produced by golgi apparatus
The function of Golgi vesicle?
- stores lipids and proteins made by the Golgi apparatus and transports them out of the cell (via cell-surface membrane)
Structure of the lysosome?
- type of golgi vesicle
- round organelle surrounded by membrane
- no clear internal structure
Function of the lysosomes?
- contains lysozymes (digestive enzymes)
- lysozymes kept separate from cytoplasm by surrounding membrane
- can be used to digest invading cells or break down worn-out components of cell
Structure of ribosomes?
- very small organelle that floats freely in cytoplasm or is attached to rough endoplasmic reticulum
- made up of proteins and RNA
- not surrounded by a membrane
Function of ribosomes?
- site where proteins are made
Structure of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) ?
- a system of membranes enclosing a fluid-filled space
- surface covered w ribosomes
Function of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) ?
- folds and processes proteins that have been made at the ribosomes
Structure of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) ?
similar to RER but no ribosomes
Function of SER?
synthesizes and processes lipids
Structure of chloroplast?
- small, flattened structure found in plants and algal cells
- surrounded by double membrane
- Inside the chloroplast are stacks of thylakoids, called grana, as well as stroma, the dense fluid inside of the chloroplast
Purpose of thylakoids
- thylakoids contain chlorophyll (which absorbs light) that is necessary for the plant to go through photosynthesis
Function of chloroplast?
- site of photosynthesis takes place
- some parts happen in the grana and others in the stroma (thick fluid)
Structure of the cell wall?
- rigid structure that surrounds cells in plants and fungi
- in plants/algae it’s made mainly of cellulose
- in fungi, it’s made of chitin (polysaccharides)
Function of cell wall?
- provides strength to the cell, which helps protect the cell against physical damage
- prevents it from changing shape