Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

1. Biology A-level > 2. Core Concepts Cell structure and Organisation > Flashcards

2. Core Concepts Cell structure and Organisation Flashcards

1
Q
  1. how many mm in a m
  2. how many Um in a mm
  3. how many nm in an Um
A

1.1000
2.1000
3.1000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

labelled light microscope

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

define magnification

A

how many times bigger the image of a specimen observed is in compared to the actual (real-life) size of the specimen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

define resolution

A

Resolution is the ability to distinguish between two separate points

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

max resolution of light and electron microscope

A

light 0.2 micrometers

electron 0.002 micrometers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

max magnification of light and electron microscope

A

light x1,500

electron x500,000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

function of cellulose cell wall

A

allows high internal pressure, WO bursting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

surface cell membrane image

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

plasmodesmata

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

can animal cells have vacuoles

A

yes, temporary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

the centrosome

A

-two centrioles
-involved in nuclear division of animal cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Animal and plant cells similarities and differences

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

division of labour

A

describes specialised functions of cell organelles
-come together to ensure cell is capable of surviving + perform roll in body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

define tissue

A

A tissue is an aggregation (group) of similar cells carrying out the same function.

For example, the layer of cells that line the alveoli in the lungs is a type of epithelial tissue.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

define organ

A

Organs are aggregations of several tissues which carry out a function for the whole organism.

For example, the eye contains many tissues all of which are needed for the organ to function correctly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

define organ system

A

Organ Systems are groups of organs that work together to carry out a function.

For example, the digestive system has several parts, such as the oesophagus and stomach, and is linked to accessory organs such as the pancreas and gall bladder.

Circulatory = heart blood blood vessels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Epithelial tissues

A

Epithelial tissues are made from cells (at least in the bottom layer) which sit on an additional layer of membrane, the basement membrane.

Epithelial tissues are found covering surfaces and are often the sites of absorption of substances.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Columnar epithelium

A

These cells are taller than they are wide and are found in many organs of the body, e.g. the small intestine, where the cells are covered in microvilli to increase the surface area for absorption.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Cuboidal epithelium

A

These cells have approximately the same height and width. They can be found lining the proximal convoluted tubules in the kidney. They reabsorb useful substances that are filtered out of the blood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Squamous epithelium

A

Squamous epithelial cells are very thin. These cells line the alveoli in the lungs. Being very thin reduces the diffusion distance for the exchange of gases.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Stratified epithelium

A

These tissues are made from layers of cells. The bottom layer is in contact with the basement membrane and divides to make the upper layers of the tissue. The top layers are usually dead and they can be worn away without damage being caused to the layers underneath. Examples of this type of tissue are found in skin and the oesophagus (shown below).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Ciliated epithelium

A

Ciliated epithelial cells have a brush border of cilia; these contain protein microtubules that can move.

This type of epithelium is found in the trachea where mucus needs to be moved out of the lungs and in the fallopian tubes where the cilia set up a current to move an embryo into the uterus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Connective tissue
Study the image below.

Loose connective tissue is found between layers of tissues, e.g. under the skin.

Fibrous connective tissue is found in tendons and joins muscle to bone.

Bone tissue makes up the skeleton. It provides support and enables movement.

Adipose tissue stores fat as a source of energy, protection, thermal insulation, and buoyancy.

Cartilage is found at the ends of bones and reduces friction during movement. Some cartilage is flexible, e.g. at the ends of the ribs.

Blood is a liquid tissue that transports nutrients, wastes, hormones and heat around the body.

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

muscle tissue

A

Muscle tissues are responsible for moving parts of the body through contraction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

wavelength of an electron microscope

A

-shorter wavelength than light

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

limitations of electron microscope

A

-electrons high speed, low energy
-specimin needs to be thin for electrons to penetrate, otherwise will be
-must be stained with heavy metal ions eg lead, allows them to absorb electrons
-must be under a vacuum, air would deflect the electrons and disrupt beam

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Cross Section of a leaf

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Electron microscope

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

cytosol

A

liquid component of the cytoplasm, surrounded by cell membrane around organelles and subcellular structures

function:
-transport of molecules across the cell
-provide structural support to organelles
-signal transduction to the target components
-platform for cellular metabolic processes and reactions
-maintains gradient across cell membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

signal transduction

A

process by which a cell signal is transmitted to produce a cellular response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

cytoplasm

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

definiton of cytosol and cytoplasm

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

composition of cytosol and cytoplasm

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

diversity of cytosol and cytoplasm

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

components of cytosol and cytoplasm

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

metabolism of cytosol and cytoplasm

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

activities of cytosol and cytoplasm

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

functions of cytosol and cytoplasmS

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

ribosomes

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

golgi apparatus

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

rough endoplasmic recticulum

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

vesicle

A

**small, spherical organelle consists of fluid enclosed by a lipid bilayer **

used to store and transport substances around the cell, digest materials

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

chloroplast membrane

A

double membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

stroma

A

aquous matrix contains starch grains

45
Q

grana

A

thylacoids arranged in flattened circular piles

contain photosynthetic pigments

46
Q

lamella

A

connect and separates thylakoid stacks (grana)

47
Q

chloroplast

A
48
Q

labelled chloroplast

A
49
Q

lysomes

A

small spherical vesicles bound by a single membrane

produced in golgi apparatus or ER

break down imported food vacuoles

-contain enzymes - lysozymes (digestive enzymes)
-digest invading cells or worn out cell structures via endocytosis
-digested material is used or excreted

50
Q

mitochondrion

A

-cristae, enables compartmentalisation, allws mitochondria to separate different enzymes for different parts of the respiratory cycle
-endosymbiosis, prokaryotic clees englufed by eukaryotic cells

51
Q

-endosymbiosis

A

prokaryotic clees englufed by eukaryotic cells

52
Q

labelled mitochondrion

A

matrix - contains enzymes for cell respiration

53
Q

exam Q - draw and label a mitochondria

A
54
Q

what is the matrix

A

aqueous solution of metabolites and enzymes, within inner membrane of mitochondrion

55
Q

smooth endoplasmic recticulum

A

eg lipids, steroids, hormones,

also site of storage of calcium ions eg for muscle contraction

vesicles with steroid hormones and enzymes to deactivate toxins eg alcohol

56
Q

plasma membrane

A
57
Q

cellulose cell wall

A
58
Q

nucleus

A
59
Q

permanent vacuole

A
60
Q

nucleolus

A
61
Q

chromatin

nucleus

A

genetic material containing (DNA, RNA)

functions
-prevent DNA damage
-tightly packing DNA into cell
-control DNA replication and gene expression
-support DNA molecule, allow meiosis and mitosis

62
Q

plasmadesmata

A

adjacent plant cells are linked by channels (pits)

cytoplasmic strands join adjacent plant cells

63
Q

temporary vacuoles

A

may be found in animal cells

function (store and trasnport substances)
-osmoregulation
-storage
-excretion
-digestion

64
Q

centrioles

animal cells only

A
65
Q

cell fractionation

A

organelles extracted form cells and separated

analysed: reactions within and enzymes

biochemical roles studied

66
Q

conditions of cell fractionation

A
  1. low temperature, prevents autolysis (self-digestion)
  2. isotonic solutions, same concentration used, prevents movement of water in or out
67
Q

microtubules

A

straight, unbranched hollow cylinders

in cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells

made of globular protein - tubulin

involved in movement of organelles in cytoplasm

eg spindle fibres

68
Q

cilia

A

both have 9 pairs of microtubules

contain enzymes which release energy from adenine triphosphate

cilia - surface of membranes

69
Q

flagella

A

-help the cell move
-microtubules inside

70
Q

pit

A

in xylem
allow water to move sideways between the vessels

71
Q

-

amyloplast (starch grain)

A

organelles responsible for the storage granules

72
Q

carotene chromoplast

A

pigment absorbing blue, green light necessary for photosynthesis

73
Q
A
74
Q

microfilaments

A
75
Q

peroxisome

A
76
Q

capsule

prokaryote

A
77
Q

necleoid

prokaryote

A
78
Q

pili

prokaryotic

A
79
Q

cytoplasmic membrane

prokaryotic

A
80
Q

mesosome

prokaryotic

A
81
Q

nucleoid and plamids

prokaryotic only

A
82
Q

Peptidoglycan cell wall

A
83
Q

eye piece units

A

twirl eye piece

84
Q

eye piece graticule

A

on eye lense

85
Q

calibrating microscope

A
86
Q
A
87
Q

epu to smu

A

5smu=2epu
1smu=0.1mm

88
Q

prokaryote vs eukaryote

A

p - no membrane bound organelles, circula DNA, small ribosomes, smaller 0.1-0.5Um

e- contain membrane bound organelles, linear chromosomes in nucleus, large ribosomes, 10-100Um, most multicellular

89
Q

labelled light microscope

A
90
Q
A
91
Q
A
92
Q
A
93
Q
A
94
Q
A
95
Q

virus

summary

A

they have no cell membrane
they have no cytoplasm
they cannot carry out respiration and synthesise ATP
they do not grow
they cannot replicate or reproduce on their own –they must invade a host cell and use the cell’s metabolic processes to produce more virus particles.

96
Q

basic components of a virus

A

a protein coat called a capsid (the individual units are called capsomeres)
enzymes involved in viral replication
a molecule of DNA or RNA; this contains a small number of genes which code for essential viral proteins, such as the capsid proteins, proteins in the viral envelope (if present) and enzymes essential for replication of the virus.

97
Q

viral envelope

A

additional layer outside the capsid

This is often a phospholipid bilayer which has come from the cell membrane of the host cell. Additional viral proteins / glycoproteins may be present embedded in this layer and are essential to the virus:

proteins can be enzymes used to penetrate the cell membrane of a host cell
glycoproteins can act as receptor molecules that can bind to and trigger receptor molecules in the host cell membrane. This then causes the virus to be taken into the cell.

98
Q

diagram shows the structure of (a) a simple virus and (b) a virus surrounded by an additional viral envelope.

A
99
Q

exocytosis

A

involves the secretion of substances from cells. It adds new membrane by the fusion of vesicles from inside the cell with the plasma membrane, and so increases the surface area of the plasma membrane.

100
Q

endocytosis

A

takes in substances / food particles by surrounding particles and infolding of the plasma membrane to form phagocytic vesicles. This removes membrane from the plasma membrane and decreases the surface area of the plasma membrane.

101
Q

The diagram summarises how the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi body and plasma membrane work together:

A
102
Q

Protein synthesis each location

A

This process involves:

In the nucleus: the transcription of the genetic code in DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA).
In the nucleolus: production of ribosomes.
The nuclear pores: the mRNA leaves the nucleus and enters the cytoplasm through the nuclear pores.
In the cytoplasm: ribosomes translate of the code in mRNA into polypeptides (amino acids are bonded together by peptide bonds to form a polypeptide).
In RER: a vesicle pinches off the RER and transports the polypeptide to the Golgi body.
In Golgi bodies: the processing of the polypeptides to produce functional proteins (folding to give secondary/ tertiary structure, adding carbohydrate chains, combining polypeptides) and packaging of the proteins into secretory vesicles for secretion.

103
Q

Protein synthesis Diagram

A
104
Q
A
105
Q

low power plan

A

When drawing a low power plan, it is important to use an eyepiece graticule to measure key dimensions (e.g. width and height of tissue layers) so that your drawing is in proportion to the actual dimensions of the specimen.

106
Q

conversion between units

A
107
Q

IAM

A
108
Q
A

1. Biology A-level (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions