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Foundation Year MBChB > Principles of Human Cell Biology > Flashcards

Principles of Human Cell Biology Flashcards

Fundamentals (54 cards)

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1
Q

What is one of the key concepts of human biology?

A

That everything derived from one cell and human biology stems from a group of cells

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2
Q

What are the similarities and differences between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells?

A

Prokaryotes:
No membrane-bound organelles
DNA in a nucleoid, not separated from the rest of the cell
Single-celled
Circular DNA with no introns
Smaller

Eukaryotes:
Has membrane-bound organelles
DNA separated from the rest of the cell in the nucleus
Can be single-celled or multicellular
Chromosomal DNA with exons and introns
Larger

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3
Q

Why are viruses not considered living?

A

They are acellular, they cannot undergo metabolic reactions and they don’t replicate on their own

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4
Q

Approximately how many time larger is a eukaryotic cell compared to a prokaryotic cell?

A

Approximately over 20 times (at least 50)
50µm eukaryotic cell
1µm prokaryotic cell

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5
Q

What are the two major forms of prokaryotes?

A

Bacteria and archaea

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6
Q

What are distinct features of a prokaryotic cell?

A

Prokaryotes have a smaller genome and a single, circular genome
They may also have plasmids, small sections of circular DNA which can be passed between cells
They do not have membrane-bound organelles (such as a nucleus)

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7
Q

What does viral genetic material force cells to do once injected into the cell?

A

Make/copy the viral DNA and RNA
To produce viral proteins

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8
Q

Why does viral replication negatively affect host cells?

A

The host cells eventually burst as too many viral proteins have been replicated

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9
Q

What are the four major kingdoms regarding eukaryotes?

A

Animals
Fungi
Plants
Protists

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10
Q

How are animal cells defined?

A

By what they lack:
Lack of cell wall
Lack of chloroplasts
Always multicellular

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11
Q

What do eukaryotic cells have to support their function?

A

All eukaryotic cells have organelles to support their cellular function. The organelles include a nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi body, and both smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum

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12
Q

Why are many supporting structures like ribosomes, not considered organelles?

A

They lack complexity and/or have no membrane

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13
Q

In which way could you describe the appearance of a cell?

A

The cell is surrounded by a membrane (plasma/cell membrane) and contain many membranes in it due to individual organelles, and an endomembrane system

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14
Q

What is an endomembrane system?

A

A group of membranes and organelles in eukaryotic cells that works together to modify, package, and transport lipids and proteins

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15
Q

What are some of the several functions that a membrane provides?

A

Compartimentalisation
Communication
Partial permeability, therefore acts as a barrier

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16
Q

Why is it beneficial for the cell membrane surrounding the cell being able to act as a barrier?

A

This then allows for different molecules to pass through and be responsible for cell signaling

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17
Q

What are the three types of membrane proteins?

A

Integral
Lipid-anchored
Peripheral

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18
Q

Where can each type of membrane protein be found<

A

Integral: within the phospholipid bilayer (within the membrane)
Lipid-anchored: attached to lipids that are in the membrane (lipoproteins)
Peripheral: bound intermolecularly to the membrane (e.g. Hydrogen bonds) but isn’t directly covalently bonded to the membrane

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19
Q

What are some features of integral membrane proteins?

A

Amphipathic: has both polar and non-polar regions so has both polar and non-polar regions
Span the membrane
They can be singlepass or multipass (based on how they bond)
They are partially embedded and so are attached to only one side of the membrane

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20
Q

What are some features of lipid-anchored proteins?

A

Protein is found at the membrane’s surface
Found on both membrane surfaces
Lipid is covalently bonded to the protein within the membrane, therefore lipid-anchored

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21
Q

What are some features of peripheral membrane proteins?

A

Lack hydrophobic regions
Don’t interact with fatty acid ends of membrane lipids
Not chemically associated with the membrane
Associated with the membrane surface via intermolecular forces, (i.e. electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding) to either the proteins or the polar head groups

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22
Q

What are the functions that the membrane proteins are responsible for?

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A

Transport
ATP production
Biotransformation (metabolism)
Receptors
Cell-cell recognition

23
Q

What are the two critical functions of the nucleus?

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A

Contains the cell’s hereditary information (DNA)
Co-ordinates and controls cellular metabolic activity

24
Q

How is the nucleus structured?

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A

Nucleus consists of nucleoplasm bound by the nuclear envelope
There are two membranes
Inner membrane: surrounds DNA
Outer membrane: continuous with rough endoplasmic reticulum
Pores: regulates passage of RNA and protein

25
What is reticulum Latin for?
Net
26
How can the endoplasmic reticulum be described?
System of folded, interconnected membranous vesicles Large flattened sac-like structures (cisternae) Internal space is called the lumen
27
What are the two types of endoplasmic reticulum?
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum: secretes lipids and has no ribosomes Rough endoplasmic reticulum: secrets proteins and has ribosomes
28
What is the importance of the endoplasmic reticulum?
May account for >50% of the cell's total membrane content Both types of ER are involved in the synthesis, storage and transportation of biomolecules Endoplasmic reticulum membrane allows for lipid/proteins to interact with the cell membrane therefore, protein/lipids in the cell membrane
29
How can the Golgi apparatus be described?
Large sac-like membranous vesicles, associated vesicles and tubules
30
What is the main function of the Golgi apparatus?
Acts as a processing station- involved in packaging and distribution of cell products for internal and external use Vesicles budding off ER travel and are accepted by Golgi Vesicles budding off Golgi travel to the cell surface or other organelles, after products have been modified and packaged into vesicles
31
What are vesicles?
Membranes similar to plasma membranes Internally different from cytosolic environment Mainly used for transport
32
What are the main purposes of vesicles and what are some well known vesicles?
Transport vesicles Secretary vesicles Lysosomes: contain hydrolytic enzymes (lysozymes) and acids to fuse with faulty/foreign cells to hydrolyse them- the cell material is then reused Peroxisomes Vacuoles
33
What is the function of vacuole vesicles?
Compartment for storage and transport Often temporary e.g. Phagosome Largest cell vacuoles are found in plants Help to maintain internal hydrostatic pressure Store nutrients and waste Increase cell size during growth
34
What is the function of transport vesicles?
Move molecules within the cell, i.e. Golgi to mitochondria Recognise and fuse only with the target membrane Carry/transport molecules in the lumen
35
What is the function of secretory vesicles?
Contain materials to be excreted from the cell Removal of waste Release of chemical signals Two types of vesicle fusion Full fusion Kiss-and-run (partial)
36
How can the mitochondria be described?
Site of aerobic respiration & energy production(ATP) Double membrane Inner membrane folded forming cristae Area within the cristae is the matrix Region between membranes is intermembrane space
37
What are some features of the mitochondria?
Matrix contains Enzymes Ribosomes, so can produce own proteins DNA The machinery for producing ATP for the cell Distribution in cells and in different tissues depend on function of that cell; mitochondria can adapt to the needs of the tissue, e.g. more contractile space so less mitochondria
38
How can the cytoskeleton be defined?
Dynamic 3D structure that fills the cytoplasm Responsible for: cell movement cytokinesis (cell division) organisation of the organelles Comprised of: microfilaments intermediate filaments microtubules
39
What is differentiation?
Cells differentiate to take on specialised roles Certain sets of genes are activated whilst others are switched off Gene expression varies between different cells, therefore the cells have different characteristics
40
What are some examples of differentiation?
DNA acetylation and DNA methylation
41
How can you define stem cells?
Stem cells are cells that have the ability to self-renew and give rise to at least one different cell type
42
What do the different potencies of stem cells describe?
The varying abilities of differentiation that a stem cell has
43
What is a progenitor cell?
Progenitor cell: General term for a cell that gives rise to a few specific types of cell. May be unipotent or multipotent Not always considered stem cells, sometimes because they usually can’t self-renew indefinitely
44
What is a totipotent stem cell?
A stem cell that can differentiate into any cell type
45
What is a pluripotent stem cell?
A stem cell that can differentiate into any cell type apart from placenta cells
46
What is a multipotent stem cell?
A stem cell that can differentiate into multiple cell types
47
What is an unipotent stem cell?
A stem cell that can only differentiate into one other type of cell (and can self renew)
48
What type of stem cell is a blastomere?
Totipotent Cells coming directly from fertilised zygote Self-renew and become the entire body
49
What are features of embryonic stem cells?
In the blastocyst (the very early embryo) Can not become the placenta (rest of the blastocyst does this) Pluripotent
50
What are features of adult stem cells?
Found in the adult body Responsible for repair and maintenance of tissues Mostly multipotent, some are unipotent
51
How can you define a specialised cell?
Cells become specialised through differentiation They acquire new structures and features to perform a specific job Some specialised cells have very unusual features unlike that of many others in the body Other types of specialised cells still resemble general body cells, but have certain characteristics to perform their particular role
52
What are features of blood cells, and how can they be specialised?
Formed in bone marrow from multipotent haematopoietic stem cells 3 main categories Erythrocytes (red blood cells) Leucocytes (white blood cells) Platelets Example: Erythrocytes Lack most organelles Do not contain DNA Limited repair capabilities and lifespan
53
What are features of brain cells, and how can they be specialised?
Self-renewing multipotent stem cells Located in subventricular zone and hippocampus Generate 3 basic cell types Neurons Astrocytes Oligodendrocytes Example: Neurones Specialised to transmit information Oldest & longest cells in the body
54
What are features of sperm cells, and how can they be specialised?
Spermatogenesis Haploid spermatozoa develop from germ cells in the seminiferous tubules Sperm cells are specialised in a number of ways Head (acrosome & nucleus) Tail (undulipodium) Small and thin

Foundation Year MBChB (28 decks)

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