Week 1 - Cells and Tissues

Question 1

What is the function of the Plasma Membrane?

Answer 1

Selective barrier made of a phospholipid bilayer and proteins; allows communication and material exchange.

Question 2

What is the role of the Nucleus?

Answer 2

Control center of the cell; contains DNA that dictates cell function and genetic information.

Question 3

What does the Nuclear Envelope do?

Answer 3

Allows controlled exchange of materials between the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Question 4

What is synthesized in the Nucleolus?

Answer 4

Ribosomal rRNA.

Question 5

What is the function of Mitochondria?

Answer 5

Generates the cell’s energy in the form of ATP.

Question 6

What is the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum covered in?

Answer 6

Ribosomes; it is the site of protein synthesis.

Question 7

What is the function of the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum?

Answer 7

Site of lipid synthesis and detoxifies chemicals in some cells (e.g., liver).

Question 8

What does the Golgi Apparatus do?

Answer 8

Packages proteins and lipids made in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Question 9

What are Vesicles?

Answer 9

Membrane-bound ‘sacs’ that transport and secrete their contents.

Question 10

What is the function of Lysosomes?

Answer 10

Contain digestive enzymes to breakdown cellular waste and old organelles; act as ‘recycling’ centers.

Question 11

What do Peroxisomes do?

Answer 11

Breakdown fatty acids and detoxify harmful substances.

Question 12

What is the Cytoskeleton?

Answer 12

A network of protein fibers that gives the cell shape, organizes organelles, and allows movement.

Question 13

What is Cell Differentiation?

Answer 13

A biological process where a less or non-differentiated cell becomes specialized.

Question 14

What are Stem Cells?

Answer 14

Undifferentiated cells that can give rise to various types of specialized cells.

Question 15

What are Embryonic Stem Cells?

Answer 15

Pluripotent stem cells that can become almost any type of cell.

Question 16

What are Adult Stem Cells?

Answer 16

Multipotent stem cells with a limited range of cell types.

Question 17

What are the types of tissues in the human body?

Answer 17

Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Nervous tissues.

Question 18

What is the function of Epithelial tissue?

Answer 18

Serves as a protective barrier; involved in absorption, secretion, and sensation.

Question 19

How are Epithelial cells connected?

Answer 19

Via specialized junctions such as tight junctions and desmosomes.

Question 20

What is the Basement Membrane?

Answer 20

The surface of epithelial tissue attached to connective tissue; involved in filtration.

Question 21

What are the classifications of Epithelial tissue based on cell shape?

Answer 21

Squamous (flat), Cuboidal (cube-shaped), Columnar (tall), and Stratified (multiple layers).

Question 22

What is the function of Connective tissue?

Answer 22

Provides structural support, elasticity, and nutrient storage via a significant amount of extracellular matrix.

Question 23

What are the types of Connective tissue?

Answer 23

Loose, Dense, Elastic, Reticular, Adipose, Blood, and Bone.

Question 24

What is the function of Muscle tissue?

Answer 24

Responsible for movement throughout the body.

Question 25

What are the characteristics of Skeletal muscle?

Answer 25

Striated, voluntary control, and performs conscious movements.

Question 26

What is unique about Cardiac muscle?

Answer 26

Striated, involuntary, and responsible for rhythmic contractions of the heart.

Question 27

What is Smooth muscle responsible for?

Answer 27

Facilitates various automatic processes in the walls of hollow organs.

Question 28

What is the role of Nervous tissue?

Answer 28

Critical for communication within the body.

Question 29

What are the components of the Nervous System?

Answer 29

Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

Question 30

What are Neurons?

Answer 30

Cells that transmit electrical signals; consist of sensory, motor, and interneurons.

Question 31

What is Cellular Dysfunction?

Answer 31

When normal cellular processes are disrupted, leading to pathological conditions.

Question 32

What is Cancer in terms of cellular dysfunction?

Answer 32

Cells lose their specialization, proliferate uncontrollably, and can form tumors.

Question 33

What types of tumors arise from epithelial and connective tissues?

Answer 33

Carcinomas arise from epithelial tissue; sarcomas arise from connective tissue.

Question 34

What are Glial Cells?

Answer 34

Support and protect neurons; include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells, and microglia.

Question 35

What is Melanoma?

Answer 35

A type of skin cancer that originates in melanocytes; most aggressive.

Question 36

What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Answer 36

The most common type of skin cancer, originating in basal cells of the epidermis.

Question 37

What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Answer 37

Originates from squamous cells in the epidermis and is more likely to spread than BCC.

Question 38

What is Acral Lentiginous Melanoma?

Answer 38

Occurs on less exposed areas and is more common in darker skin; difficult to detect.

Question 39

How does melanin influence melanoma risk?

Answer 39

Increased melanin can increase the risk of mutation in melanocytes, leading to melanoma.

Question 40

What are common misconceptions about skin cancer in darker skin?

Answer 40

Darker skin individuals believe they do not need sun protection and that they are less prone to skin cancer.