CH.3 : THE CELLULAR LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION Flashcards
What are cells?
any living structural and functional units enclosed by a membrane
What is cell division?
-all cells arise from existing cells by this process in which one cell divides into 2 identical cells
What are the different parts of a cell? Explain them.
1) plasma membrane: forms the cells flexible outer surface, separating the cell’s internal and external environments
2) cytoplasm: all the cellular contents between the plasma membrane and the nucleus
- 2 components: cytosol (fluid portion) and organelles (specific shape and function)
3) nucleus: large organelle that houses most of the cell’s DNA
Within the nucleus, each chromosome contains thousands of hereditary units called ____ that control most aspects of cellular structure and function.
genes
What is the plasma membrane?
a flexible yet sturdy barrier that surrounds and contains the cytoplasm of a cell
Explain the basic structural framework of the plasma membrane/ lipid bilayer.
- phospholipids (polar phosphate head glycerol back bone and non-polar tails)
- cholesterol (maintains fluidity)
- glycolipids
- lipid bilayer is studded with proteins (integral- channel, carrier, glycoprotein and peripheral- attach/remove itself from membrane)
What are phospholipids?
- They are made up of a polar “head” that contains phosphate, which is hydrophilic
- glycerol back bone that connects tails to head
- The other part of it is made up of two long nonpolar fatty acid “tails”, which are hydrophobic
What is cholesterol?
- a steroid with a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to it (polar section of cholesterol and it produces hydrogen bonds with the heads of phospholipids and glycolipids)
- The rest of the steroid is nonpolar
What are glycolipids?
- they have carbohydrate groups attached to them, which form a polar “head”.
- Their fatty acid “tails” are nonpolar.
What are integral proteins?
- extend into or through the lipid bilayer among the fatty acid tails and are firmly embedded in it
- 3 types: channel, carrier and glycoprotein
What are glycoproteins?
- proteins with carbohydrate groups attached to the ends
- a type of integral protein, chain of sugars attached to a protein (any protein).
- Used in signaling, allows a cell to recognize another cell
What are peripheral proteins?
- on top of membrane
- attach and remove themselves from membrane
The plasma membrane prefers letting what type of molecules through?
small nonpolar molecules
The carbohydrate portions of glycolipids and glycoproteins form an extensive sugary coat called the _____. It acts like a molecular “signature” that enables cells to recognize one another.
glycocalyx
Name and explain the functions of integral proteins.
i. Channel protein: Used to allow things to pass through cell
- do not require energy or ATP to do this.
- Go down concentration gradient
ii. Carrier protein: carries substances into/out of cell by carrying it (protecting it from other things)
- Sometimes use energy/ATP to do this.
- They can go against concentration gradient.
iii. Glycoprotein: chain of sugars attached to a protein
- Used in signaling, allows a cell to recognize another cell
What is selective permeability?
-plasma membranes permit some substances to pass more readily than others
What is a concentration gradient?
-a difference in the concentration of a chemical from one place to another
What is an electrical gradient?
-difference in electrical charges between 2 regions
Explain membrane potential.
-Because electrical gradient occurs across the plasma membrane, this charge difference is called this
What is an eletrochemical gradient?
-combined influence of the concentration gradient and the electrical gradient on movement of a particular ion
Explain passive processes. Example?
a substance moves down its concentration or electrical gradient to cross the membrane using only its own kinetic energy (energy of motion)
ex: simple diffusion
Explain active processes. Example?
cellular energy (usually ATP) is used to drive the substance “uphill” against its concentration or electrical gradient. ex: active transport
Explain an active process involving vesicles. Examples?
- tiny, spherical membrane sacs referred to as vesicles are used.
- endocytosis, in which vesicles detach from the plasma membrane while bringing materials into a cell
- exocytosis, the merging of vesicles with the plasma membrane to release materials from the cell.
What is diffusion?
- a passive process in which the random mixing of particles in a solution occurs because of the particles’ kinetic energy.