2.1 Cell structure Flashcards
What are the main structures of a typical animal cell?
A typical animal cell contains a cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, and sometimes endoplasmic reticulum.
What additional structures do plant cells have compared to animal cells?
Plant cells have a cell wall, vacuole, and chloroplasts in addition to the structures found in animal cells.
What is the function of the cell wall in plant cells?
The cell wall provides structure, strength, and helps prevent the plant cell from bursting. It is made of cellulose.
What is the function of chloroplasts in plant cells?
Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
What is the function of the vacuole in plant cells?
The vacuole contains cell sap that maintains turgidity (rigidity) of the cell and stores water, salts, sugars, and other substances.
What structures are found in bacterial cells?
Bacterial cells contain a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, circular DNA, and plasmids.
What is the function of ribosomes in cells?
Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis, where amino acids are assembled into proteins.
What does the nucleus do in a cell?
The nucleus holds the cell’s DNA, which has instructions for how the cell works and grows.
What do mitochondria do in cells?
Mitochondria are like the powerhouse of the cell. They make energy from food for the cell to use.
What are specialised cells?
Specialised cells are cells that are built to do one specific job, like a root hair cell that absorbs water or a red blood cell that carries oxygen.
What’s the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells (like bacteria) don’t have a nucleus or membrane-bound parts. Eukaryotic cells (like animal and plant cells) have a nucleus and other parts.
What do plasmids do in bacterial cells?
Plasmids are small rings of DNA in bacteria that can carry extra information, like the ability to resist antibiotics.
What do ciliated cells do?
Ciliated cells move mucus, dust, and germs out of your lungs. They have tiny hairs called cilia to help them move things.
How are root hair cells adapted to absorb water?
Root hair cells have long hairs to increase surface area and absorb more water and minerals from the soil.
What do palisade mesophyll cells do in plants?
Palisade mesophyll cells do photosynthesis (making food from sunlight) because they have lots of chloroplasts.
What is the role of red blood cells?
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. They are shaped to fit more oxygen inside and don’t have a nucleus to make more room.
What are neurons (nerve cells)?
Neurons send electrical signals around the body to help you feel, move, and think. They have a long shape to carry messages quickly.
What’s the difference between sperm cells and egg cells?
Sperm cells are small and can move, while egg cells are larger and hold nutrients for the baby to grow.
What are the levels of organisation in living things?
The levels are cell (basic unit), tissue (groups of similar cells), organ (groups of tissues), organ system (groups of organs), and organism (a living being like a human).
What is a tissue?
A tissue is a group of similar cells working together to do a job, like muscle tissue helping you move.
