1. Intro to cells Flashcards
The cell definition
a self-contained membrane-bound unit which carries out the functions of life; organized, autonomous, and internally regulated
reductionist
- takes one theory to be reduced to another theory
* thinking about life in reduced terms
Cell Biology is reductionist in nature
- Knowledge of the parts may explain the whole
- some may view cell as a machine, but many of the components are still unknown (very complex)
- understanding the workings of cells can reveal much about the nature of life
7 facts on cells
- reproduce themselves
- acquire and use energy
- perform chemical reactions (metabolism)
- reproduce themselves (meiosis and mitosis)
- are dynamic (capable of movement)
- respond to stimuli (have to be responsive (chemicals most of the time))
- self-regulate (grow? die? divide? change metabolic rate?)
In humans, over _____ different types of cells, yet all arose from ________ cell. There are _____ of subcell types within the ______ cell types.
200, single, hundreds, 200
what’s interesting about cells? (7)
- their complexity
- inter-relations of cells
- intra-relations of cells
- how cells respond to their environment
- their ability to live and reproduce
- their ability to grow and change
- they are what makes up you and the food you eat
The study of cells started with the development of __________
microscopes
Robert Hooke (1665)
- described cells in cork (empty, dead cells)
- he looked dat the cross section of cork
- he was looking at dried up, dead cells
- came up with the term cells
Anton Van Leeuwenhoek (1665-1675)
- first to describe living cells
- used a handheld microscope
- studied on animalcules (microscopic animals)-vorticella (sedentary, single celled aquatic animals with a contractile stalk and a bell-shaped body bearing ring of cilia)
- father of microbiology
how many tenets of cell theory are there?
three
which people are involved wit the tenets of cell theory?
Theodor schwann (1839) Rudolf Virchow (1855)
Theodor Schwann (1839)
- first two tenets of cell theory
- started realized common properties
1. all organisms composed of one or more cells
2. cells are the structural unit of life
Rudolf Virchow (1855)
- third tenet
3. cells can arise only by division from pre-existing cells
volvox
a simple multicellular organism
green single-celled aquatic organism which forms minute free-swimming spherical colonies
Common plan of all cells (4)
- all enclosed by a physical barrier (cell membrane-> can have complexity outside of membrane (Cell wall))
- All have a blueprint - DNA
- blueprint directs the construction of machinery to get energy from environment
- use energy to duplicate blueprint and machinery