Unit 2 Topic 3A Cell structures Flashcards
(124 cards)
How to identify an eukaryotic cell by microscope?
Features that only eukaryotic cells have:
- True nucleus
- Membrane-bound organelles
+ Size (usually larger than prokaryotic but cannot use to identify)
Describe nucleus in eukaryotic cells
- have double membrane
- have nuclear membrane / nuclear envelope ==> DNA in chromosomes are bounded inside nuclear envelope
Cell walls of prokaryotic cells
- some have peptidoglycan cell walls
- some have cellulose cell walls
Define cell fractionation
Process to break cells apart and separate cellular components of different sizes to isolate some organelles
State the significance of a cell consisting of different membrane-bound organelles
- incompatible chemical reactions can take placce in the same cell
- membranes separate compartments: biological molecules (ie. enzymes) and other necessary conditions (ie. pH)
- are available in different compartments for specific reactions
What are the main functions of nucleus
- control cellular activities: by the formation of mRNA to control gene expression in protein production
- nucleolus: synthesis of ribosomes
- nuclear pores: facilitate exchange of substances between nucleus and cytoplasm (exit of mRNA)
- stores genetic information
- control cell division
- controls metabolic reactions
What are the main properties of nucleus
- double membrane bounded structure: phospholipids in phospholipid bilayer, 4 layers of phospholipids
- nucleolus: site of synthesis of ribosomes
- outer membrane of the nuclear envelope is continuous with rough endoplasmic reticulum
- cell cycle (chromosomes: long, thin, invisible chromatins that disperse during interphase, condensed, shorter, thicker during cell division)
State the main functions of mitochondrion
site of aerobic respiration by converting energy in food to energy the cell can use
State and describe the properties of mitochondrion
- rod shaped
- double membrane bound
- too small to be seen under light microscope
Describe the inner membrane of mitochondrion
- highly folded to form tubular processes: cristae
- convered with stalked particles (ATP synthase)
- contains electron carrier molecules forming the electron transport chain involved in aerobic respiration
- space enclosed by inner membrane: matrix
What is mitochondrial matrix?
- fluid which contains enzymes for Krebs cycle
- contains mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial ribosomes
Describe the intermembrane of mitochondrion
fluid-filled
Describe the outer membrane of mitochondrion
smooth boundary of the rod-shaped mitochondria
Applications of mitochondrion
- sperms have lots of mitochondria in the middle part of the tail (provides energy for swimming)
- liver cells (high level of metabolic activities,** requires lot of energy**, large number of mitochondria to meet energy requirement)
- enzyme-secreting cells (synthesis of enzymes/exocytosis require energy)
- epithelial cell in small intestine and root hair cells: absorption of nutrients and minerals
cells with higher metabolic rate contains larger number of mitochondria
Main functions of centrioles
- maintain shape and provide support to cells
- produce spindle fibres consisting of microtubules to
- guide movements of chromosomes during cell division
- for the movement of the organelles (exocytosis vesicles are made rom spindle fibres produced by centrioles to guide movements)
Properties of centrioles
- found in animal cells only
- hollow cylinders each consisting a bundle of 9 sets of 3 microtubules arranged in a ring
Main function of ribosomes
site for protein synthesis
Properties of ribosomes
- 80s ribosomes: exist on rER and freely suspended in cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells
- 70s ribosomes: exist in mitochondria and chloroplasts and prokaryotic cells
- consists of 2 subunits (each made up of proteins and RNA)
Main functions of lysosomes
- digest other organelles by fusing with them: autophagy
- destroy old cells
- digestion of materials engulfed by the cell
Explain the process of autophagy
- Sequestration: autophagosome is formed around cytoplasm and organelles
- Transport to lysosomes: fuse with lysosomes
- Degradation: lysosomes release enzymes to degrade material in autophagosome
- All cellular materials degrade to amino acids, retired to cytosol for reuse
(not in syllabus? but useful)
Explain how lysosomes destroy old cells
Apoptosis
1. rupture and release hydrolytic enzymes (protease, nucleases, lipas, gluosidases)
2. destroy old cells in programmed destruction of cells
Example: destroy cells in the tail of tadpole to develop into a frog
Explain how lysosomes can carry out digestion of materials engulfed by the cell
- food particle engulfed into the cell by phagocytosis and form a phagosome due to the fluid mosaic property of the cell membrane (vesicle formed around the food particle)
- lysosome fuses with phagocytic vacuole
- lysosymes in the lysosome digest bacteria / other cells / macromolecules engulfed
Properties of lysosomes
- contian hydrolytic enzymes: lysozymes (involved in intracellular digestion)
- formed by **breaking off from Golgi apparatus **
Main function of Rough endoplasmic reticulum
synthesis and transport of protein