week 2 and additional quiz notes Flashcards
Explain Cell Theory ( 5 rules)
Cells are the basic building block of living things and the smallest unit of the living entity.
- All living things are made up of cells.
- Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in living things
- Cell structure is correlated to cellular function.
- All cells are produced from other cells (we all start if as cells, which differentiate and multiply)
- All cells are related by their descent from earlier cells
why do cells need a large surface area?
Cells need a large surface area of plasma membrane to adequately exchange materials.
why is it best that cells are small?
The surface‐area‐to‐volume ratio requires that cells be small. Small size = large SA:volume ratio and vice versa.
why is a large surface area in cells necessary ?
If cell is small the surface area relative to volume increases, making transportation easier and quicker. Cells need a large surface area of membrane to adequately exchange materials. As cell size increases, it takes longer for material to diffuse into or out of the cell.
what is Surface area-to-volume ratio?
Surface area-to-volume ratio: as a cell increases in size, the volume increases 10x faster than the surface area requiring that cells be small. the smaller the cell the better as it = large surface are easy for transport.
why is it difficult when a cell size becomes larger?
As a cell becomes larger, adequate transport of materials through the membrane becomes more difficult. As the size of a cell increases, the amount of living material (the cell’s volume) increases more quickly than the size of quickly than the size of the outer membrane (the cell’s surface area)
what does a cell use to greatly increase surface area?
Cells specialized in absorption utilize membrane modifications such as microvilli to greatly increase surface area per unit volume
why are most cells microscopic?
Most cells are microscopic. Only a few are visible to the human eye. Cells are so small because they need to maintain a membrane size large enough relative to their volume, so the membrane can work effectively to pass nutrients and information to and from the cell. A mouse and an elephant have cells of similar kinds and sizes. The only difference is how many cells are present. Large cells-surface area relative to volume decreases. Volume is living cytoplasm, which demands nutrients and produces wastes. Cells specialised in absorption utilise membrane modifications such as microvilli to greatly increase surface area per unit volume.
Distinguish between prokaryotic & eukaryotic cells (single cells, unicellular and multicellular)
There are 2 types of cells: eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
Pro- means “before” and karyon means “nucleus” hence the term prokaryotic meaning “before the nucleus” i.e. lacks a nucleus.
Prokaryotic cells lack internal membranes, they are smaller and simpler, no nucleus, DNA is present in the nucleoid, Cell wall outside of plasma membrane, Do contain ribosomes (but don’t contain membrane-bound organelles) Eg: bacteria and archae
Eukaryotic cells are larger, more complex, have a nucleus that houses DNA and other membrane enclosed organelles, plasma membrane and plant cells have a cell wall Eg: protists, plants, fungi and animals, humans
What might be some advantages of having distinct compartments (organelles)?
Protection from foreign substances like bacteria that may invade organelle and take over the organelles function, if there is diversity the other organelles will keep cell running.
Complexity allows not all organelles to be vulnerable to an attack
Specialisation (every organelle has a different function which creates complexity).
Why is DNA only found in nucleus?
Protection: protecting DNA. If there were bits of DNA in in cytoplasm n different organelles the body might think its bacteria and attack the other organelles and destroy them.
what is a plasma membrane and phospholipid bilayer?
Eukaryotic cells have a plasma membrane as well as various compartments each with a membrane. Basically, it is a semi permeable barrier, to allow nutrients to enter cell and waste to exit out.
The semi permeable barrier is made up of a phospholipid bilayer composed of various phospholipids, and various types of proteins: channel, transport, integral, receptor and marker (identity) proteins
how does DNA turn into proteins
DNA through transcription turns into mRNA, mRNA goes through translation to give protein
what is mitochondria
powerhouse of a cell. All the process and activities within a cell require energy, organelles called mitochondria provide energy by breaking down nutrients from foods.
What is the most prominent cell organelle, explain what it is?
The nucleus is often the most prominent cell organelle. It contains the genome, the cells database, which is encoded in molecules of the nucleic acid, DNA. The dominant feature of eukaryotic cells is the nucleus, which contains most of the cell’s DNA.
what is a double membrane, and what does it contain?
Surrounded by a double membrane, the nuclear envelope, and usually contains one or several nucleoi, which are darkly staining regions that contain high concentrations of RNA and protein as well as DNA. The membrane contains nuclear pores, which are channels to allow the movement of certain molecules between the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm.
The outer membrane of the nuclear envelope is continuous with……
The outer membrane of the nuclear envelope is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum. The nuclear pores are not simply holes perforating the double membrane. Each nuclear pore is a precisely organised complex containing multiple copies of about 30 different proteins which some of which delimit the size and shape of the pore. Small molecules can diffuse relatively quickly and freely through the nuclear pore but transport of large molecules is prevented, but these can be actively moved but need signal sequences.
Nucleus Function/Role:
Storage of genetic material
Regulation of development
Regulation of metabolism
Transcription of DNA into RNA.
Nucleolus contains rRNA and protein (site of ribosome assembly)
Nuclear Pores provide passageways for movement of materials
Double membrane: outer membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum
The nucleus contains DNA that specifies the recipe for protein production
Protein synthesis explained further
RNA is synthesized in the nucleus
Messenger RNA (mRNA) matches the sequence of DNA.
mRNA carries the “recipe” for making proteins through a nuclear pore in the two- layered nuclear envelope.
RNA binds to a ribosome; RNA moves from the nucleus out to a ribosome, where the protein is synthesized.
Some ribosomes float in the cytosol; others attach to the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
what are Ribosomes and their function?
Are the site of protein synthesis (production) in the cell
Consists of a large subunit and a small subunit
Each subunit is composed of rRNA and proteins
Subunits are assembled in the nucleolus
Ribosomes translate some mRNA produced from transcription of DNA into protein
May be located on the endoplasmic reticulum (thereby making it the rough ER) or free in the cytosol. (Free floating in the cytoplasm and attached to endoplasmic reticulum)
Provides a large surface area for important chemical reactions Because it is folded, it fits into a small space
Cells that are actively producing protein (e.g. liver cells) have great numbers of free and attached ribosomes.
what is the endomembrane system and what does it include?
Network of membranes enclosing the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and vacuoles
Also includes plasma membrane
May be directly connected to each other or pass materials via vesicles
Some proteins are secreted from cells.
Endomembrane system’s process of secreting proteins(4 steps)
- The different parts of the endomembrane system work together to secrete proteins, moving them outside of the cell. Not all proteins that enter the RER leave the cells. Many stay and function in the various compartments and membranes of the endomembrane system.
- Proteins enter the RER; Secreted proteins move from ribosomes into the RER, where they are modified and folded into their appropriate 3D shape. The proteins exit the RER in bubbles of membrane called transport vesicles.
- Proteins are synthesized on ribosomes; Free floating ribosomes synthesize proteins that will function in the cytosol. Ribosomes attached to the RER synthesize proteins that function inside of the organelles of the endomembrane system or outside the cell.
- Proteins move from RER into the Golgi; The vesicles leaving the RER fuse with the Golgi apparatus— a stack of membrane sacs that acts as a “processing center.”
what is the Endoplasmic reticulum and what does it contain?
Network of membranes that form flattened, fluid-filled tubules or cisternae
ER membrane encloses a single compartment called the ER lumen
Includes both rough and smooth ER
Rough endoplasmic reticulum(rough ER): Studded with ribosomes, Involved in protein synthesis modification and sorting.
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (smooth ER): Lacks ribosomes, Site of lipid synthesis, detoxification reactions, carbohydrate metabolism, calcium balance, synthesis (including fat), and modification of lipids.
Ribosomes are “protein manufacturing machines” therefore cells with an extensive amount of rough ER- for e.g. human pancreas cells- are capable of synthesizing large quantities of proteins.
Ribosomes are One of the most common organelles found in cells in the ER, consisting of folded membranes and tubes throughout the cell.
Smooth ER: Fat metabolism and detoxification reactions involved in the destruction of toxic substances, such as alcohol and drugs occur on this surface. Human liver cells are responsible for detoxification reactions and contain extensive smooth ER.
what are Centrioles and their function ?
Two sets of microtubules arranged at right angles to each other
Located in a region called the centrosome (Microtubule-organizing centre near nucleus)
Organize microtubules into spindles used in cell division
During cell division, centrioles are responsible for organizing microtubes into a complex of Fibers known as the spindle, ensuring proper separation of chromosomes during division.