Exam 1 Flashcards
(258 cards)
When cut in cross section and viewed with a transmission electron microscope (TEM), basement membranes have a characteristic 3 layered structure. Name these layers and describe the appearance of the image.
- the top layer is called the lamina lucida
- the middle layer is called the lamina densa
- the bottom layer is called the lamina fibroreticularis
What is a glycocalyx?
a (microscopically) visible accumulation of sugars on the membrane proteins, lipids, polysaccharide chains etc.
Where is rRNA produced?
the nucleolus
What does the rough ER do?
synthesize proteins that are destined to become granules or be exported out of the cell
What is the function of the cell membrane?
act as a boundary to define compartments and regulate the flow of molecules in and out of compartments
how does a cell membrane appear on a TEM?
two electron dense lines bordering a less dense central zone
What is the function of the ribosome? What is it made of?
- to synthesize proteins (translate mRNA into an AA sequence)
- rRNA and protein
What occurs in the golgi apparatus?
- sugars are added to create glycoproteins
- granules form and may be released into the extracellular space
What do lysosomes do?
- contain hydrolytic enzymes to break down target molecules
- extracellular molecules can be targeted via endocytosis (pino or phagocytosis)
- intracellular molecules can be segregated via autophagy (contained within a vesicle) and then fused with the lysosome to degrade the molecules without degrading the cell
How do we differentiate between unfused and fused lysosomes?
- unfused lysosomes are called primary lysosomes
- fused lysosomes are called secondary lysosomes and may contain partially digested material
What does the smooth ER do?
- phospholipid and cholesterol synthesis
- detoxification of drugs (in the liver)
- the smooth ER is well developed in steroid secreting cells
What does the mitochondria do?
produce ATP via oxidative phosphorylation
Name the two molecules that are used to store excess glucose and excess lipids, respectively.
glycogen, triglycerides
Using a microscope, you see a cell containing a droplet of glycogen and a droplet of triglycerides. Are these droplets surrounded by a membrane?
No
What is a microtubule made of?
the protein tubulin, forming a hollow tube 25nm in diameter
In what locations can microtubules be found?
sperm tail, cilia, mitotic spindle, nerve cell axons, polarized cells, centriole
What are microfilaments made of?
polymers of the protein actin, 7nm in diameter
Name some functions of microfilaments
- generating movement (as in muscle cells)
- providing structure (as in the microvilli of the intestinal epithelial cells)
What is an intermediate filament made of?
there are many types that vary in composition, but are typically 10nm in diameter.
Name some functions of intermediate filaments
formation of a stable intracellular network, often linking to adjacent cells via intercellular junctions
Why are intermediate filaments important?
they can help identify cell types (only appearing in one or two cell types) and indicate disease states
What is an epithelial tissue?
a collection of adherent cells with little intercellular material, generally covering an external or internal surface of the body (epithelial cells in these conditions will have a free surface). The active cells (parenchyma) of endocrine/exocrine glands are also considered epithelial tissues
What are some functions of epithelial tissues? (6)
- protection and segregation of luminal space
- regulate surface transport
- absorption
- secretion
- sensation (rarely)
- production of eggs or sperm (rarely)
simple/stratified/pseudostratified epithelium
- simple - epithelium having only a single layer of cells
- stratified - epithelium having multiple layers
- pseudostratified - epithelium having a single layer, but not every cell reaches the free surface