1.2 cell structure and organisation Flashcards
(213 cards)
which microscope has a greater magnification and higher resolving power?
electron microscope because it uses electrons (rather than light), which have a much shorter wavelength
(so electron microscopes can see many more structures called organelles in eukaryotic cells)
organelle definition
a specialised structure with a specific function inside a (eukaryotic) cell
eukaryotic cells (eukaryotes) definition
they contain DNA in chromosomes in a nucleus, and possess membrane-bound organelles e.g plants and animals
resolving power definition
the minimum distance by which two points must be separated in order for them to be seen as two distinct points rather than a single focused image
what surrounds organelles?
and what are the advantages of this?
a membrane
potentially harmful chemicals, such as enzymes, are isolated, and molecules with particular functions, such as chlorophyll, can be concentrated in one area
what do membranes provide for organelles?
a large surface area for the transport of molecules and attachment of enzymes
what are the different units of measurements in biology? and what are they used to measure?
- metre (m) = used to measure larger organisms
- millimetre (mm) = used to measure tissues and organs
- micrometre = cells and organelles (10^-6m)
- nanometre (nm) = molecules (10^-9m)
what is the most convenient unit for measuring cells and organelles?
micrometres
what is the nucleus?
- the largest organelle of the cell, bounded by a double membrane
- present in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell
- CONTAINS DNA WHICH CODES FOR PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
what are the different components in a nucleus?
- nucleolus
- chromatin
- nucleoplasm
- (nuclear) pore
- nuclear envelope
- endoplasmic reticulum
- ribosome
what is the nucleolus?
- a small spherical body found within the nucleus
- responsible for the production of rRNA and ribosomes
what is the nucleoplasm?
- like the cytoplams of a cell, but for a nucleus
- contains chromatin (which condenses to form chromosomes during cell division)
what is the nuclear envelope?
- the double membrane which encloses the genetic material
- has pores (to allow movement)
what are nuclear pores?
- gaps in the nuclear envelope that allow movement
- allows the passage of large molecules, such as mRNA and ribosomes
- allows transport of messenger/mRNA/nucleotides/ribosomes
where is the endoplasmic reticulum in the nucleus?
the outer membrane of the double membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum
what is chromatin?
- made of coils of DNA bound to protein (DNA-protein complex) but uncoils (is linear) when not during cell division
- condenses to form chromosomes during cell division
what are the main functions of the nucleus?
- enable protein synthesis (by creating ribosomes), cell division, growth and differentiation into specialised cells
- stores genetic material in the form of chromatin
- exchange of RNA with the rest of the cell
what is the endoplasmic reticulum?
- a network of membranes connected to the nucleus of the cell by the nuclear envelope
- has two types: rough and smooth
- main role is concerned with the transport of material through the cell
- a continuous membrane with many folds
- form interconnected flattened fluid-filled sacs called cisternae
what is the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
- more tubular (tubular membrane)
- lacks ribosomes
- involved with the synthesis and transport of lipids
what is the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
- has ribosomes on the outer surface
- transports the proteins once they’ve been synthesised at the ribosomes (via the cisternae)
packages and transports proteins
what are cisternae?
interconnected flattened fluid-filled sacs in the endoplasmic reticulum
vesicle definition
a ‘bubble’ that can contain and transport molecules inside of it
what is the golgi body?
- stack of curves cisternae
- vesicles containing polypeptides (building blocks of protein) pinch off from the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and fuse with the golgi
- proteins are modified and packed into vesicles by the golgi body for export
- also involved in the transport and storage of lipids, and the production of glycoproteins and lysosome
what are the components of a mitochondria?
- circular DNA
- matrix
- outer membrane
- inter-membrane space
- inner membrane
- crista (cristae)
- 70s ribosomes