2.1 - Cell Structure Flashcards
What is the structure and function of the nucleus, nuclear envelope and nucleolus?
Structure: Nucleus surrounded by double membrane (nuclear envelope). Pores in the envelope. Nucleolus has no membrane. Contains RNA. Chromatin is genetic material consisting of DNA wound around histone proteins. Cell not dividing = spread out. Dividing = condenses and coils tightly into chromosomes. Most of organism’s genome.
Function: Nuclear envelope separates nucleus from everything else. Dissolved substances and ribosomes can pass through where the outer and inner membrane have fused. Pores enable mRNA to leave and other substances to enter. Ribosomes are made in the nucleus. Chromosomes contain the organism’s genes.
What is the structure and function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
Structure: System of membranes, containing fluid-filled cavities (cisternae) continuous with the nuclear membrane. Coated with ribosomes.
Function: Intracellular transport system - cisternae form channels for transporting substances. Large SA for ribosomes. Proteins made here pass through the cisternae to the Golgi apparatus.
What is the structure and function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?
Structure: System of membranes, containing fluid-filled cavities (cisternae) continuous with the nuclear membrane. No ribosomes.
Function: Contains enzymes that catalyse lipid metabolism reactions, e.g. synthesis of steroid hormones. Involved with absorption, synthesis and transport of lipids (from the gut).
What is the structure and function of the Golgi apparatus?
Structure: A stack of membrane-bound flattened sacs. Secretory vesicles bring materials to and from it.
Function: Proteins are modified by adding lipid molecules to make lipoproteins for example. Proteins packaged into vesicles then stored in cell or moved to the plasma membrane.
What is the structure and function of the mitochondria?
Structure: 2-5µm long and are spherical, rod-shaped or branched. Surrounded by two membranes with a fluid-filled space in between. Inner membrane folded into cristae. Inner part is a fluid-filled matrix.
Function: Site of ATP production. Self-replicating. Abundant in cells where much metabolic activity takes place, e.g. liver cells.
What is the structure and function of the chloroplasts?
Structure: 4-10µm long. Only in plant cells and in some protoctists. Surrounded by double membrane or envelope. Continuous inner membrane with stacks of thylakoids (contain chlorophyll). Each stack is called a granum. Fluid-filled matrix is called the stroma. Contain loops of DNA and starch grains.
What is the structure and function of the vacuole?
Structure: Surrounded by a membrane called the tonoplast, and contains fluid.
Function: Only plant cells have a large permanent vacuole. Filled with water and solutes. Maintains cell stability by pushing against cell wall when full. By all cells being turgid, it supports the plant.
What is the structure and function of the lysosomes?
Structure: Small bags formed from Golgi apparatus. Surrounded by single membrane. Contain powerful hydrolytic (digestive) enzymes. Abundant in phagocytic cells (e.g. neutrophils), that ingest and digest invading pathogens.
Function: Keep hydrolytic enzymes separate from everything else. Can engulf old cell organelles and foreign matter, digest them, then return them to the cell for reuse.
What is the structure and function of the cilia and undulipodia?
Structure: Protrusions from cell. Surrounded by cell surface membrane. Contains microtubules. Formed from centrioles.
Function: Epithelial cells have hundreds of them that waft the band of mucus. Contains receptors to allow cell to detect signals. Only cell in humans that has an undulipodium (long cilium) is a spermatozoon.
Define magnification.
The number of times larger an image appears compared to the actual size of the object.
Define resolution.
The ability to distinguish between two points.
The clarity of the image.
What are the advantages of a light microscope?
Inexpensive, easy to use, portable, can view in colour, can view live specimens, can view larger organelles with staining (e.g. nucleus), used in schools, hospitals and research labs.
What is the maximum magnification of an optical microscope?
x1500 (some can magnify up to x2000).
What are the limitations of a light microscope?
Can only resolve an image larger than the wavelength of visible light - 400-700nm, can only resolve structures that are 200nm apart, cannot see structure
Describe a laser scanning microscope.
Uses laser light to scan an object point by point, computer assembles points into an image, high resolution and contrast, depth selectivity allows focus on structures within specimen, can view living specimens, used in medical profession, e.g. observations of the eye.
