1.1 Introduction to cells Flashcards
What is cell theory
- Living organisms are composed of cells
- Cells are the smallest unit of life
- All cells come from pre-existing cells
All cells contain
- All living cells are surrounded by a cell membrane
- All cells contain genetic information which controls function of the cell
- Cells generate energy to power activities of the cell
Exceptions to cell theory
- Skeletal muscle fibre: atypical as they are 1000x longer than normal cells and have many nuclei
- Fungal Hyphae: sometimes are not divided up into many cells, this creates one larger cell (septate or aseptate)
- Giant Algae: these cells are abnormally large compared to other algae cells. 1 nucleus and they can be up to 100mm long.
Organisms consisting of once cell carry out all the functions of life - and other facts
- nothing smaller than a cell can survive
- subcellular substances/organelles can live independent of the cell
What does MR GREHN stand for?
Metabolism Response Growth Reproduction Excretion Homeostasis Nutrition
Metabolism as a function of life
produce enzymes to control chemical reactions inside cell, including respiration
Response as a function of life
perceiving and responding to changes in the environment (stimuli)
Growth as a function of life
increase in size and dry mass
Reproduction as a function of life
producing offspring - sexually/asexually
Excretion as a function of life
Expel waste matter
Homeostasis as a function of life
keeping conditions within the organisms within tolerable limits
Nutrition as a function of life
obtaining food to provide energy and materials for growth
Metabolism in paramecium and chlamydomonas
Paramecium: produces enzymes to catalyse reactions within the cytoplasm
Chlammydomonas: same
Response in paramecium and chlamydomonas
Paramecium: reacts to stimuli - reverses its direction of movement when it touches a solid object
Chlamydomonas: reacts to stimuli - senses the brightest spot (using eye spot) and swims towards it
Growth in paramecium and chlamydomonas
Paramecium: increase in size + dry mass by accumulating organic matter and minerals from its food
Chlamydomonas: increase in size + dry mass by photosynthesising and absorption of minerals
Reproduction in paramecium and chlamydomonas
Paramecium: reproduces asexually by mitosis or sexually by meiosis and gametes
Chlamydomonas: same
Excretion in paramecium and chlamydomonas
Paramecium: expels waste products of metabolism (e.g. CO2 diffuses out)
Chlamydomonas: expels waste products of metabolism (e.g. O2 diffuses out)
Homeostasis in paramecium and chlamydomonas
Paramecium: maintains all internal conditions within limits (e.g. expels water using contractile vacuole)
Chlamydomonas: same
Nutrition in paramecium and chlamydomonas
Paramecium: Feeds on smaller organisms by ingesting and digesting them in vesicles (endocytosis)
Chlamydomonas: Produces its own food by photosynthesis using chloroplasts which take up much of the cell