Unit 4: Cells Flashcards
(113 cards)
Organelle function: Cell membrane/plasma membrane
Surrounds the cell; Keeps stuff in and out
Organelle function: Cytoplasm
Internal cell fluid which holds all other structures inside the cell
What are cell membranes composed of?
Phospholipids
What are phospholipids comprised of?
Hydrophilic head: Glycerol + Phosphate
Hydrophobic tails: 2 fatty acids (one saturated, one unsaturated)
What’s the polarity of the phosphate head?
Polar covalent bonds.
Hydrophilic
What’s the polarity of the fatty acid tails?
Nonpolar
Hydrophobic
What’s the organization of the phospholipid bilayer?
Head – Tails – Tails – Head
Do phospholipids interact with one another in the bilayer?
There are no chemical bonds between individual phospholipids.
A very flexible and fluid mosaic
Allows for movement of membrane and proteins embedded in the membrane
In what way does the cell membrane allow transport?
Selective permeability
The hydrophobic interior (brought to us by the hydrophobic fatty tails) prevents the transport of most molecules
It allows lipids and other small nonpolar molecules (such as O2) and very small polar molecules (such as H2O)
What are the two structure types of proteins that are contained in the cell membrane?
Integral and Peripheral
Integral proteins stick out on either end (span the entire membrane)
Peripheral proteins just stick out on one end
What’s the function of this protein: Receptors
Outside substances bind to them
What’s the function of this protein: Enzymes
Speed up the chemical reactions on the inside of outside of the cell
What’s the function of this protein: Aquaporins
Move water inside or outside the cell
What’s the function of this protein: Channels
Move other substances inside or outside the cell
What is cytoplasm comprised of?
Cytosol: water, ions, enzymes
Organelles
Organelle function: Nucleus
Holds the DNA
Houses the nucleolus
Bound by a double membrane nuclear envelope
Has nuclear pores to allow transport of particular molecules in/out
What is the nucleolus?
Where ribosomes are made and RNA is transcribed
What is chromatin?
A complex of DNA and proteins that forms the chromosomes within the nucleus
Exists in two forms: Euchromatin (less condensed) and Heterochromatin (condensed)
What are ribosomes?
Made of RNA and protein- rRNA
Make proteins using the info from RNA
Organelle function: Mitochondria
Contains its own DNA and ribosomes
Site of cellular respiration
What is cellular respiration?
The process of breaking glucose down to get energy
Organelle function: Peroxisomes
Breaks down toxic molecules
Organelle function: Vesicles
How proteins and other chemicals move around a cell
A membrane bubble
Travels using the endomembrane system:
- Smooth/rough ER
-Golgi apparatus
Organelle function: Smooth Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
Houses enzymes to break down drugs and poisons; synthesizes lipids
Further away from the “maze”