Unit 2- Cell Structure Flashcards
(41 cards)
What does cell theory state? 3
- all organisms are composed of 1 or more cells, all the processes of life take place within these cells
- Cells are the smallest units that can be alive
- New cells are always formed by division of old cells
How do unicellular and multicellular organisms differ, in terms of cells
- unicellular, the cell carries out all the processes of life
- multicellular, the cells are differentiated to carry out different tasks
Difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus or interior compartments
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and various interior compartments
Cell membrane:
- thin flexible layer made of phospholipids and proteins
- controls entry and exit of materials
- separates the contents of the cell from the outside
Nucleus:
- surrounded by a nuclear envelope, a double membrane with nuclear pores
- interior nucleoplasm, full of chromatin
- in cell division chromatin condenses becoming visible chromosomes
- nucleolus, used in making ribosomes
Mitochondria:
- where aerobic respiration occurs, and ATP is synthesised
- double membrane, outer is simple and very permeable while inner is highly folded to give cristae
- cristae, provide large surface area
- mitochondrial matrix, containing small circular strands of DNA
- stalked particles (ATP synthase) on cristae
Chloroplasts:
- where photosynthesis takes place
- found in only photosynthetic organisms
- double membrane
- starch grain
- thylakoid membrane folded into disks
- stacks of thylakoid membranes are called grana
- space between membranes is called stroma
- thylakoid membrane contains chlorophyll and carotenoids
What is a plastid?
Organelles with a double membrane, which divide by fission
Ribosome:
- sites of protein synthesis
- smallest organelle
- found free in the cytoplasm or on RER
RER
- studded with ribosomes for protein synthesis
- proteins are processed in the RER, eg modified by adding a carb group)
- exported to the Golgi apparatus after modified
SER
- processes/modifies materials, mainly lipids
- modified compounds are sent to Golgi to be transported out the cell
Golgi Apparatus:
- series of flattened membranes
- purpose is to transport proteins for extra cellular use from the ER to the cell membrane
- parts of the RER fuse with the Golgi body to form cisternae, pushing a vesicle of proteins off from the cisternae
- vesicles release their contents out the cell by exocytosis
Vacuoles:
- Membrane bound sacs containing water or dilute solutions of salts and other solutes
- plant cell vacuoles are surrounded by a membrane called the tonoplast, filled with sap
- they keep cell rigidity and turgidity
Lysosomes:
- membrane bound vesicles containing digestive enzymes
- formed from RER
- used to break down toxic chemicals, organelles or cells, where the products are then recycled in the cell
- may fuse with phagosomes
Cytoskeleton:
- network of protein fibres throughout all eukaryotic cells
- add support, transport and motility
- attached to the cell membrane providing shape holding organelles in position
- responsible for cell movements such as division, cilia, flagella…
Centrioles:
- 2 centrioles found near the nucleus
- part of the cytoskeleton
- used in cell division to make up spindle fibres
- only in animal cells
Cilia purpose:
To move the cell or extra cellular fluid
Short and numerous
Flagella purpose:
- longer than the cell
- used for motility, eg sperm
Microvilli purpose:
- short extensions found in epithelial cells of small intestine and kidney
- increase the surface area for absorption
Cytoplasm:
- solution within cell membrane
- contains enzymes, sugars, salts, amino acids, nucleotides and all the resources needed for a cell to function
Cell wall:
- thick layer outside the cell membrane
- used to give strength and rigidity to cells
- resists osmotic lysis
Give examples of cell walls:
- plant- cellulose
- fungi- chitin
- bacteria- peptidoglycan
Plant cell walls composition:
- 3 layers:
1) outer layer is the middle lamella, thick layer of calcium pectate that glues cells together
2) middle layer is the primary cell wall, thin layer of cellulose microfibrils and is more flexible
3) the inner layer is the secondary cell wall, thick, network of of fibres like cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin
What makes up the primary cell wall?
Cellulose microfibrils