Cells and Microscopy Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is the role of a nucleus in a eukaryotic cell?
It is the cell’s control centre and holds all the genetic material for that cell.
What is the role of the cytoplasm in cells?
It protects internal components of the cell and is where chemical reactions happen.
What is the role of the cell membrane in a cell?
It allows wanted substances in the cell and unwanted out due to diffusion.
What is the role of mitochondria in a cell?
It generates energy for the cell to chemically function through respiration.
What is the role of ribosomes in a cell?
It is an enzyme catalysing chemical reactions and is the site of protein synthesis.
What is the function of the cell wall in a cell?
It provides structural strength and support, and also provide a semi-permeable surface for molecules to pass in and out of the cell.
What is the role of the vacuole in plant cells?
It helps to regulate and maintain water balance.
What is the role of chloroplasts in plant cells?
It performs photosynthesis during the day through the chlorophyll, which also contains a green pigment.
What is the role of pili in a prokaryotic cell?
For movement, but more often involved in adherence, which facilitates infection and is a key virulence characteristic (causing sickness).
What is the role of flagella in prokaryotic cells?
Assist cell movement through spinning.
What is the role of a plasmid in a prokaryotic cell?
They are non-essential, self-replicating DNA molecules, surrounded by a nuclear membrane. They consist of small, double-stranded DNA and have huge diversity in size.
What is the role of the nucleoid in prokaryotic cells?
Regulates growth, reproduction and cell function, containing all genetic material for that cell.
What is the role of the capsule in a prokaryotic cell?
It helps in adherence and prevents dehydration.
How is a sperm cell specialised for its function?
It has a tail for swimming and mitochondria to release energy from the tail and an acrosome that releases enzymes, digesting egg membrane for fertilisation.
How is a nerve cell specialised for it’s function?
It is long to carry information and has many dendrites to connect to many other nerve cells.
What is meant by cell differentiation?
When a cell becomes specialised to carry out a particular function.
How has the development of microscopy improved over time?
Using purer glass lenses helped solve colour distortion and poor image resolution. Mirrors were added to compound microscopes to add more light and improve the image.
What is the definition of a chromosome?
A structure made of DNA carrying a large number of genes.
What is the process of mitosis?
- Increase in number of mitochondria and ribosomes.
- Genetic material is copied, and chromosomes divide in half.
- Each set of chromosomes is pulled to opposing poles of the cell.
- Cytoplasm and cell membrane divide, forming two identical daughter cells.
What are the three stages in microbe investigation?
- Preparation (sterilising environment), preparing growth medium (food and nutrients).
- Inoculation (introducing microbes to environment).
- Incubation (using correct conditions for microbes to survive), using the growth curve (lag, exponential, stationary, and death phases), and observation of microbes reactions.
What is the definition of mitosis and where can it occur?
Mitosis is the process of cells dividing to form two identical daughter cells. This can occur in growth and repair.
What is the definition of a stem cell?
An undifferentiated cell that is capable of differentiating into other cell types.
Where are stem cells found?
In bone marrow, embryos and meristem tissue of plants.
What conditions may stem cells be able to treat and how?
Diabetes (transplanting lab-grown insulin producing cells for Type 1 diabetes) and paralysis (promoting formation of neurons).
