Chapter 3 Cells Flashcards
(147 cards)
What’s cell theory?
A cell is the structural and functional unit of life.
How well the entire organism functions depends on all its cells’ individual and combined activities.
Structure and function are complementary. Continuity of life has a cellular basis
Cell diversity
Over 250 different types of human cells
Types differ in size, shape, and subcellular components; these differences lead to differences in functions
Plasma membrane
flexible outer boundary
cytoplasm
intracellular fluid containing organelles
Nucleus
DNA containing control center
Extracellular materials
Substances found outside cells
Cellular secretions (e.g., saliva, mucus)
Classes of extracellular materials include:
-Extracellular fluids (body fluids), such as:
-Interstitial fluid: cells are submersed (bathed) in this fluid
-Blood plasma: fluid of the blood
-Cerebrospinal fluid: fluid surrounding nervous system organs
Extracellular matrix
a substance that acts as a glue to hold cells together
Plasma membrane (cell membrane)
Acts as an active barrier separating intracellular fluid (ICF) from the extracellular fluid (ECF)
Plays a dynamic role in cellular activity by controlling what enters and what leaves the cell
Plasma membrane (fluid mosaic)
Consists of membrane lipids that form a flexible lipid bilayer
Specialized membrane proteins float through this fluid membrane, resulting in constantly changing patterns
Membrane lipids (lipid bilayer)
75% phospholipids, which consist of two parts:
Phosphate heads: are polar (charged), so are hydrophilic (water-loving)
Fatty acid tails: are nonpolar (no charge), so are hydrophobic (water-hating)
5% glycolipids
Lipids with sugar groups on the outer membrane surface
20% cholesterol
Increases membrane stability
Membrane Proteins
Allow cell communication with environment
Make up about half the mass of plasma membrane
Most have specialized membrane functions
Some float freely, and some are tethered to intracellular structures
Integral proteins
Firmly inserted into the membrane
Most are transmembrane proteins (span membrane)
Have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions
Hydrophobic areas interact with lipid tails
Hydrophilic areas interact with water
Function as transport proteins (channels and carriers), enzymes, or receptors
Integral proteins
Firmly inserted into the membrane
Most are transmembrane proteins (span membrane)
Have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions
Hydrophobic areas interact with lipid tails
Hydrophilic areas interact with water
Function as transport proteins (channels and carriers), enzymes, or receptors
Peripheral proteins
Loosely attached to integral proteins
Include filaments on an intracellular surface used for plasma membrane support
Function as:
Enzymes
Motor proteins for shape change during cell division and muscle contraction
Cell-to-cell connections
Transport
A protein (Left) that spans the membrane may provide a hydrophilic channel across the membrane that is selective for a particular solute
Receptors
A membrane protein expose to the outside of the cell may have a binding site that sits the shape of a specific chemical messenger, such as a hormone, when bound the chemical messenger may cause a change in shape in the protein that initiates a chain of chemical reactions in the cell
Enzymes
A membrane protein may be an enzyme with its active site exposed to substances in the adjacent solution, which may catalyze sequential steps of a metabolic pathway as indicated
Cell-cell recognition
Some glycoproteins serve as identification tags that are specifically recognized by other cells
Attachment to the cytoskeleton and ECM
Elements of the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix may anchor to membrane proteins. Helps maintain shape, fixed the location of certain membrane proteins, and plays a role in cell movement
Cell-to-cell joining
Membrane proteins of adjacent cells may be hooked together in various kinds of intercellular junctions. Binding sites that guide cell migration and other cell-to-cell interactions
Glycocalyx
Consists of: sugars
Every cell type has different patterns: of this “Sugar coating”
Functions as: specific biological markers for cell-to-cell recognition
Tight junctions
Integral proteins on adjacent cells fuse to form an impermeable junction that encircles the whole cell. Prevent fluids and most molecules from moving in between cells
Rivet-like cell junctions
are formed when linker proteins (cadherins) of neighboring cells interlock like the teeth of a zipper. Linker protein is anchored to its cell through thickened “button-like” areas on the inside of the plasma membrane called plaques