Cells Flashcards
What carries out all the functions of life?
Unicellular organisms
Outline the Cell Theory
All living organisms are composed of cells. Cells are the smallest unit of life. Cells come from pre-existing cells and can not be created from non-living material.
What is the relative size of a molecule?
1nm
What is the relative thickness of the cell membrane?
10nm
What is the relative size of a virus?
100nm
What’s the relative size of a bacteria?
5micrometres
What is the relative size of organelles?
Up to 10micrometres
What is the relative size of eukaryotic cells?
100micrometres
How do you calculate the linear magnification of drawings and the actual size of specimens in images of known magnification?
Magnification = length of drawing / length of actual specimen
How does the surface area to volume ratio limit the cell size?
When a cell grows the volume increases faster than the surface area leading to a smaller surface area to volume ratio. If it gets too small, substances won’t be able to enter the cell quick enough to fuel reactions and waste products will start to accumulate within the cell as they will be produced faster than they can be excreted.
What organisms show emergent properties?
Multicellular organisms show emergent properties
How might a cell increase it’s SA:V ratio?
1) throw out extensions (villi in the small intestine) 2) flatten into a thin form 3) divide the cytoplasm into smaller volumes
What are emergent properties?
It means that cells can differentiate into specialised cells and these specialised cells can interact with each other (cells, tissues, etc).
What are stem cells?
Stem cell is an unspecialised cell that has retained the ability to divide and have the ability to differentiate along different pathways
How do cells carry out specialised functions?
Cells in multicellular organisms differentiate to carry out specialised functions by expressing some of their genes and not others. This is called differentiation. Differentiation depends on gene expression which is regulated mostly during transcription.
What is the function of the cell wall?
Protects the cell from the outside environment and maintains the shape of the cell. It also prevents the cell from bursting if internal pressure rises.
Outline one therapeutic use of stem cells.
Define stem cells. Stem cells are derived from human embryos, left over from the placenta or IVF and new techniques have developed that mean diseased or dysfunctional cells can be replaced with healthy functioning ones. Bone marrow transplants. Stem cells found in the bone marrow give rise to the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the body. These stem cells can be used to treat certain types of cancer, such as leukaemia. Chemotherapy kills the normal cells in the bone marrow so the patient cannot produce blood cells. After chemo, patient will have a bone marrow transplant where stem cells are transplanted back into the patient through a drip. These stem cells will start producing blood cells. Allows patients to undergo high doses of chemotherapy
What is the function of the Plasma Membrane in a bacteria cell?
Semi-permeable membrane that controls the substances moving in and out of the cell. It controls integral and peripheral proteins. Substances pass through by either active or passive transport.
What is the function of the cytoplasm in a bacteria cell?
Contains many enzymes used to catalyse chemical reactions of metabolism and it also contains the DNA in a region called the nucleotide. Ribosomes are also found in the cytoplasm.
What is the function of the Pili in a bacteria cell?
Help bacteria adhere to each other for the exchange of genetic material
What is the function of the flagella in a bacteria cell?
Made of a protein called flagellin. Helps bacteria move around by the use of a motor protein that spins he flagellum like a propeller.
What is the function of the ribosomes?
They are the sight of protein synthesis. Contributes to protein synthesis by translating mRNA.
What is the function of a nucleoid in a prokaryotic cell?
Region containing naked DNA which stores hereditary material that controls he cells and will be passed onto daughter cells.
How do prokaryotic cells divide?
Binary Fission. Binary Fission is a method of asexual reproduction involving the splitting of the parent organism into two separate organisms.

