Structure And Function Of Eukaryotes And prokaryotes Flashcards
(47 cards)
Describe the structure of the Nucleus.
- A large organelle surrounded by a nuclear envelope which contains many
pores. - Nucleus contains chromatin (seen as darkened patches on light micrograph) and a structure called a nucleolus.
Describe the function of the nucleus.
- Controls the cell’s activities.
- Controls the transcription of DNA.
- DNA contains the instructions needed to make proteins.
- Chromatin is made from DNA and proteins and condenses into visible chromosomes.
Describe the structure of Nuclear Envelope.
- A double membrane with fluid between that surrounds the nucleus.
- Nuclear pores are protein complexes with a channel through the centre.
Describe the function of the Nuclear Envelope.
- It separates the contents of the nucleus from the rest of the cell.
- Nuclear pores enable larger substances such as mRNA to leave the nucleus. Other substances such as some steroid hormones can enter the nucleus.
Describe the structure of the nucleolus.
- Most obvious structure in the nucleus.
- A dense spherical structure without a
membrane around it composed of proteins and RNA.
Describe the function of the nucleolus.
- RNA is used to produce ribosomal RNA, which is then combined with proteins to form ribosomes necessary for protein synthesis.
Describe the structure of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
- A system of flattened membranes enclosing a fluid-filled cavities (sacs) called cisternae.
- Surface is coated with ribosomes.
Describe the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
- Intracellular transport system: the cisternae form channels for transporting substances from one area of cell to another.
- Provides a large surface area for ribosomes to assemble amino acids into proteins for transport to Golgi apparatus.
Describe the structure of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
- A system of flattened membranes enclosing a fluid-filled cavities (sacs) called cisternae that are continuous with the nuclear membrane and RER.
- No ribosomes on the surface.
Describe the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
- Makes lipids, including the phospholipids for cell membranes.
- Contains enzymes that are known to detoxify lipid-soluble drugs and some harmful products of metabolism.
Describe the structure of a vesicle.
A small fluid-filled sac in the cytoplasm, surrounded by a single membrane.
Describe the function of a vesicle.
Transports substances in and out of the cell (via the plasma membrane) and between organelles.
Describe the structure of the golgi apparatus.
- A stack of membrane-bound flattened sacs (cisternae).
- Secretory vesicles bring materials to and from the Golgi apparatus.
Describe the function of the golgi apparatus.
- It modifies the proteins and lipids delivered to it from the RER and prepares them for secretion, then delivers them to the cell membrane via a vesicle.
- Responsible for the synthesis of lysosomes.
Describe the function of mitochondria.
- Site of aerobic respiration, where ATP is produced.
- They are self-replicating, so more can be made as needed for cells requiring large amounts of energy.
Describe the structure of mitochondria.
- They may be spherical, rod-shaped or branched and are 2 – 5 µm long.
- Surrounded by a double membrane with a fluid-filled space (matrix) between.
- Inner membrane highly folded into cristae.
Describe the structure of chloroplasts.
- Large organelles, 4 – 10 μm long.
- A double outer membrane and a complex arrangement of internal membranes that form thylakoids (which contain chlorophyll)
- Thylakoids are grouped into stacks called grana, joined by intergranal lamellae.
- Fluid-filled matrix is called the stroma.
Describe the function of chloroplasts.
- Site where photosynthesis takes place.
- Grana; Light energy is trapped by chlorophyll and used to make ATP & water is split into ions.
- Stroma: Where energy from ATP is used to make carbohydrates.
Describe the structure of a vacuole.
- Surrounded by a membrane called the tonoplast.
- Contains fluid.
Describe the function of a vacuole.
- Only plant cells have a permanent vacuole.
- Filled with water and solutes and maintains cell stability, as when full pushed against cell wall, making cell turgid.
Describe the structure of lysosomes.
- A round organelle surrounded by a single membrane, with no clear internal structure.
- These are small bags formed by the Golgi apparatus.
Describe the function of lysosomes.
- Contains powerful hydrolytic (digestive enzymes).
- Can engulf old cell organelles and foreign matter, digest them and recycle the material.
- Often abundant in phagocytic cells that can ingest or invade pathogens.
Describe the structure of plasma membrane.
- The membrane found on the surface of animal and just inside cell wall of plant cells and prokaryotic cells.
- Mainly made of lipids and protein.
Describe the function of plasma membrane.
Acts like a barrier to the cell, controlling what enters and leaves due to the differential permeability to different biological molecules and due to protein carriers that pump substances in and out.