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A-level Biology AQA > 3.1.2 Cells and Cell Structure > Flashcards

3.1.2 Cells and Cell Structure Flashcards

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1
Q

÷ Divide to make ____

A

bigger

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2
Q

× Multiply to make _____

A

smaller

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3
Q

Describe how you convert cm → mm → μm → nm & vice versa

A
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4
Q

Define Magnification

A

How many times bigger the image is than the specimen (object)

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5
Q

Define Resolution

A

Minimum distance apart that two objects can be in order for them to appear as separate items

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6
Q

State the formula used to work out magnification

A
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7
Q

Describe how optical (light) microscopes work

A

Light from bulb travels through condenser lens, then specimen, up through objective lens and through eyepiece lens into your eye

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8
Q

State the maximum magnification for an optical microscope

A

x 1500

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9
Q

State the maximum resolution for an optical microscope

A

0.2 µm

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10
Q

Name 2 pros of optical (light) microscopes

A
  • Easy and cheap to operate
  • Can have living specimens
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11
Q

Name 2 cons of optical (light) microscopes

A
  • Low resolution & magnification
    • Can’t see organelles smaller than 0.2 µm (e.g. ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes)
  • Specimens often need staining to show specific organelles
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12
Q

Why does optical microscopes have a maximum resolution of 0.2 µm?

A

∵ of the long wavelength of light rays

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13
Q

Name 2 Electron Microscopes

A
  • Transmission Electron Microscopes
  • Scanning Electron Microscopes
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14
Q

Describe how transmission electron microscopes work

A
  1. Use electromagnets to focus a beam of electrons which is then transmitted through the specimen
  2. Denser parts of specimen absorb more electrons = makes them look darker on image you end up with
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15
Q

State the maximum resolution for a transmission electron microscope

A

0.1 nm

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16
Q

State the maximum magnification for a transmission electron microscope

A

x 10 000 000

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17
Q

Name a pro of transmission electron microscopes

A
  • Has highest resolutions & magnification
    • See internal structure of organelles e.g. chloroplasts
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18
Q

Name 4 cons of transmission electron microscopes

A
  • Non-living matter only
  • Image in black and white and 2D
  • Preparation may distort structure/give artefacts
  • Vacuum required
  • Elaborate preparation - staining is complex
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19
Q

Describe how scanning electron microscopes work

A
  • They scan a beam of electrons across specimen = knocks off electrons from specimens
  • Electrons gathered in cathode ray tube to form image
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20
Q

State the maximum magnification of SEMs

A

x 30,000

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21
Q

State the maximum resolution of SEMs

A

20 nm

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22
Q

Name 3 pros of SEMs

A
  • Can form complex 3D images of sample
  • Can be used on thick specimens
  • Magnifications & resolutions are higher than light microscopes
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23
Q

Name 3 cons of SEMs

A
  • Large and expensive & difficult to operate
  • Specimens has to be mounted in vacuum
  • Specimen has to be dead
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24
Q

What type of cells are like algal cells?

A

Plant cells = have same organelles

(Can be single-celled or multicellular)

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25
Q

What type of cells are like fungal cells?

A

Plant cells

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26
Q

What are 2 differences between fungal and plant cells?

A

In fungal cells:

Cell walls are made from of chitin & they don’t have chloroplasts

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27
Q

What is the function of the cell-surface (plasma) membrane?

A

Regulates movement of substances into and out of cells

(has receptor molecules on it = respond to chemicals)

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28
Q

What is the function of the nucleus?

A

Holds genetic information of cell

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29
Q

What is the function of the nucleolus?

A

Makes RNA and ribosomes

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30
Q

What are chromosomes made of?

A

DNA and proteins

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31
Q

What is the function of chromosomes?

A

Provides instructions for the cell

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32
Q

What is the function of nuclear pores?

A

Allow passages of large molecules (e.g. RNA)

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33
Q

What is the nucleoplasm?

A

Jelly-like material that makes up bulk of nucleus

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34
Q

What is the nuclear envelope?

A

Double membrane that surrounds nucleus

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35
Q

What is the function of the nuclear envelope?

A

Controls entry/exit of materials in and out of nucleus & reactions taking place within it

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36
Q

Where is chloroplast found?

A

Plant cells and some protoctists

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37
Q

Describe the structure of a chloroplast

A

Two membranes (chloroplast envelope) filled with fluid

  • Membranes stacked into layers known as thylakoids
  • A whole stack of thylakoid membranes is known as a granum
  • Fluid-filled matrix = stroma (starch grains are found there)
38
Q

Where is chlorophyll found?

A

In thylakoids & llamellae

39
Q

Name 3 adaptations of chloroplast

A
  • Granal membranes = large surface area for enzymes, etc (for 1st stage of photosynthesis)
  • Fluid of stroma = possess all enzymes (for 2nd stage of photosynthesis)
  • Chloroplasts contain DNA and ribosomes = can quickly manufacture some proteins for photosynthesis
40
Q

What is the function of chloroplast?

A

Absorbs light for photosynthesis

41
Q

Describe the structure of a mitochondrion

A
  • Have double membrane filled with fluid
    • Inner membrane is highly folded & called cristae
    • Inner section is called matrix
42
Q

What does the matrix in mitochondria contain?

A

Enzymes involved in respiration

43
Q

What is the function of a mitochondrion?

A

Site of aerobic respiration where ATP is produced/energy released

44
Q

Describe the structure of endoplasmic reticulum

A

Made up of flattened membrane bound sacs called cisternae

45
Q

What is the surface of the rough endoplasmic reticulum covered in?

A

Ribosomes

46
Q

What is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?

A

Modifies and transports proteins made on ribosomes

47
Q

What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

A

Synthesises and processes lipids

48
Q

What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the liver cells?

A

Involved in breaking down toxins

49
Q

Describe the structure of the Golgi apparatus

A
  • Not a stable structure = constantly changing
  • Stacks of membrane-bound flattened sacs
50
Q

What is the function of a Golgi vesicle?

A

Stores lipids and proteins made by Golgi apparatus & transport them out of the cell

51
Q

Describe the function of the Golgi apparatus (5x)

A
  • Receives proteins from ER/moves to Golgi
  • Modifies proteins
  • Proceses/packages them into vesicles
  • Vesicle is moved to plasma membrane
  • Fuses with it/excoytosis
52
Q

What is the function of a cell wall?

A

Supports cell and prevents them from changing shape

(Cell wall is permeable to allow solutions to pass in and out)

53
Q

What is a lysosome?

A

Tiny bag of digestive enzymes, surrounded by a single membrane

54
Q

What is the function of lysosome?

A
  • Can digest invading cells or break down worn out components of cell
  • Keeps digestive enzymes away from cytoplasm
55
Q

Describe the structure of a ribosome

A
  • Has no outer membrane
  • Contains 2 sub-units
56
Q

What is the function of ribosome?

A

Site of protein synthesis

(mRNA used to assemble proteins from amino acids)

57
Q

Describe the structure of a cell vacuole

A
  • Membrane-bound organelle found in cytoplasm of plant cells
  • Surrounding membrane is called tonoplast
58
Q

What is the function of a vacuole?

A
  • Maintain pressure inside cell & keep them rigid (stops plants wilting)
  • Storage of waste
59
Q

Name 4 similarities between eukaryotes and prokaryotes

A
  • Plasma membrane
  • Cytoplasm
  • DNA & RNA
  • Ribosomes
60
Q

Name 4 structural differences between eukaryotes and prokaryotes

A

Prokaryotes have:

  • Smaller ribosomes (70s type)
  • No true nucleus (free, floating circular DNA)
  • No membrane-bound organelles
  • Cell wall made from the glycoprotein murein
61
Q

Name 4 additional features that prokaryotic cells can have

A
  • Flagella
  • Pili
  • Plasmids
  • Capsule
62
Q

What is a flagellum?

A

Hair-like structure that rotates to make prokaryotic cells move

63
Q

What are pili?

A

Hair like projections that allows bacteria to stick to and communicate with one another

64
Q

What are plasmids?

A

Small loops of DNA

(contain genes for things like antibiotic resistance)

65
Q

What are capsules made of?

A

Secreted slime

66
Q

What is the function of a capsule?

A

Protects bacteria from attack by cells of immune system

67
Q

Viruses are …

A

Not cells = Acellular

68
Q

What are viruses essentially?

A

Just nucleic acids surround by protein = not even alive

69
Q

What do viruses do?

A

Invade and reproduce inside the cells of other organisms

70
Q

Name 3 features of viruses

A
  • Contain core of genetic material - either DNA or RNA
  • Have protein coat around core called capsid
  • Have attachment proteins which stick out from edge of the caspid
71
Q

Why do the viruses have attachment proteins?

A

They allow them to cling on to a suitable host cell

72
Q

What is cell fractionation?

A

Process which cells are broken up and organelles they contain are separated out

73
Q

Name the 3 stages in cell fractionation

A
  1. Homogenisation - Breaking Up the Cells
  2. Filtration
  3. Ultracentrifugation - Separating the Organelles
74
Q

What happens in stage 1 (homogenisation) of cell fractionation?

A
  • Cells broken up by homogeniser (blender)
  • Added to solution
75
Q

Why do you break up the cells?

A

To breaks up the plasma membrane and release the organelles

76
Q

Name the 3 conditions of the solution

A
  • Isotonic
  • Ice-cold
  • Buffered
77
Q

Why does the solution have to be isotonic?

A

Prevents organelles damaging through osmosis

78
Q

Why does the solution have to be ice-cold?

A

Reduces activity of enzymes that break down organelles

79
Q

Why does the solution have to be buffered?

A

Maintain a constant pH = prevents denature of proteins/enzymes

80
Q

What happens in stage 2 (filtration) of cell fractionation?

A

Homogenised cell solution is filtered through gauze to separate any large cell debris or tissue debris from organelles

(organelles = much smaller than debris)

81
Q

What happens in stage 3 (ultracentrifugation) of cell fractionation?

A
  1. Cell fragments poured into tube & put into centrifuge - spun at low speed
    1. Heaviest organelles (nuclei) at bottom of tube = form thick sediment called a pellet
    2. Rest of organelles stay suspended in fluid above pellet = called supernatant
  2. Supernatant is poured into another tube & spun in centrifuge at higher speed
    1. Heaviest organelles (mitochondria) form pellet at bottom
    2. Supernatant is spun at higher speed
  3. Process is repeated at higher speeds until organelles are separated out
82
Q

State the order of the organelles that are seperated in ultracentrifugation (from heaviest to lightest)

Nuclei to ribosomes

A

Nuclei, chloroplast, mitochondria, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes

83
Q

Golgi vesicles secrete _____

A

mucus

84
Q

Describe how to prepare a ‘temporary mount’ of specimen on a slide

A
  1. Pipette drop of water onto slide
  2. Use tweezers to place thin section of your specimen on top of water drop
  3. Add drop of stain - iodine dissolved in potassium iodide solution
  4. Lower cover slip using a mounted needle
85
Q

Preparing a ‘temporary mount’ of specimen on a slide:

Why do you add a stain?

A

∵ Highlights objects in a cell

86
Q

Preparing a ‘temporary mount’ of specimen on a slide:

When adding the cover slip, describe what you should do to avoid getting air bubbles

A

When adding the cover slip:

  • Stand slip upright on slide, next to water droplet
  • Carefully tilt and lower it so it covers the specimen
87
Q

Preparing a ‘temporary mount’ of specimen on a slide:

Why do we try avoid getting air bubbles?

A

∵ they obstructs your view of specimen

88
Q

Mitochondria are a similar size to _____

A

bacteria

89
Q

Define Exocytosis

A

Bulk transport of materials out of a cell from a vesicle

90
Q

Define Endocytosis

A

Bulk transport of materials into a cell by the formation of vesicle from the cell membrane

A-level Biology AQA (41 decks)

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