1.1 Introduction to cells Flashcards
What are the three principles of cell theory?
All living things are composed of cells
The cell is the smallest unit of life
What are the three exceptions to cell theory?
Striated muscle fibres
Aseptate fungal hyphae
Giant algae
What theory does striated muscle fibres challenge?
That cells always function as autonomous units
Why are striated muscle fibres an exception to cell theory?
They fuse to form very long fibres and have multiple nuclei
What cell theory idea does aseptate fungal hyphae challenge?
That living structures are composed of discrete cells
How are aseptate fungal hyphae an exception to cell theory?
They are not partitioned by septa and have a continuous cytoplasm
What idea of cell theory does giant algae challenge?
That larger organisms are made up of many cells
How does giant algae break cell theory?
Unicellular algae can grow up to 7cm in length
What are the 7 functions of survival? Mr Sheng
Metabolism
Reproduction
Sensitivity
Homeostasis
Excretion
Nutrition
Growth
What is metabolism?
Living things undertake essential chemical reactions
What is reproduction?
Living things produce offspring either sexually or asexually
What is sensitivity?
Living things are responsive to interval and external stimuli
What is homeostasis?
Living things maintain a stable internal environment
What is excretion?
Living things exhibit the removal of waste products
What is nutrition?
Living things exchange materials and gases with the environment
What is growth?
Living things can move and change shape or size
How many life functions must unicellular organisms be able to carry out?
All of them
How does paramecia do responsiveness?
They are surrounded by cilia which allow it to move
How does paramecia do nutrition?
Engulfs food via a cytosome
How does paramecium do metabolism?
Food particles are enclosed within small vacuoles that contain enzymes for digestion
How does paramecium do excretion?
Solid wastes are removed by an anal pore whilst liquid wastes are pumped out by contractile vacuoles
How does paramecium do homeostatsis?
Essential gases enter and exit the cell via diffusion
How does paramecium do reproduction?
They divide assexually although horizontal gene transfer can occur via conjugation
How does scenedesmus do nutrition/excretion?
They exchange gases and other essential materials via diffusion
How does scenedesmus do metabolism?
Chlorophyll pigments allow organic molecules to be produced via photosynthesis
How does scenedesmus do reproduction?
Daughter cells form as non-motile autospores via the internal asexual division of the parent cell
How does scenedesmus do responsiveness?
They may exist as unicells or form colonies for protection
What do cells need to produce to survive?
Chemical energy
What does the production of chemical energy require?
The exchange of materials with the environment
What is the rate of metabolism of a cell?
A function of its mass/ volume
What do larger cells need more of to sustain essential functions?
Energy
What is the rate of material exchange a function of?
Its surface area
What does large membrane surface equate to more..?
Material movement
As a cell grows what increases faster?
Volume increases faster than surface area
What will happen if the metabolic rate exceeds the rate of exchange of vital materials and wastes?
The cell will eventually die due to to a low SA:Vol ratio
What does the increased volume and slower increase of surface area lead to?
Decreasing SA:Vol ratio
What do cells have to do in order to maintain a high SA:Vol ratio?
Divide and remain small
What type of cells and tissues will increase their surface area and why?
Cells and tissues specialised for gas/material exchange to optimise material transfer
What does the intestinal tissue of the digestive tract do to increase the surface area of the inner lining?
Form a ruffled structure