3.4 Eukaryotic cell structure Flashcards
What is the nucleus of a cell
How big is the nucleus
The nucleus is the most prominent feature of a eukaryotic cell, as it contains the organisms heriditary material and controls the cells activities
They are spherical and between 10qm and 20qm in diameter
The nucleus has 5 parts, name them
The nuclear envelope
Nuclear pores
Nucleoplasm
Chromosomes
The nucleolus
What is the nuclear envelope
(found in nucleus)
. It’s a double membrane that surrounds the nucleus
. Its outer membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum of the cell and often has ribosomes on its surface
. It controls the entry and exit of materials in and out of the nucleus and contains the reactions that take place within it
What are nuclear pores (found in nucleus)
How many are there in each nucleus and how big are they
. Allow the passage of large molecules such as messenger RNA out of the nucleus
. There are typically around 3000 pores in each nucleus, each 40-100nm in diameter
What is nucleoplasm
(found in nucleus)
Is the granular, jelly like material that makes up the bulk of the nucleus
What are chromosomes
(found in nucleus)
Consist of protein bound, linear DNA
What is the nucleolus
(found in the nucleus)
A small spherical region within the nucleoplasm
It manufactures ribosomal RNA and assembles the ribosomes.
There may be more than one nucleolus in a nucleus
What are the functions of the nucleus
. Act as a control centre of the cell through the production of mRNA and tRNA and hence protein synthesis
. Retain the genetic material of the cell in the form of DNA and chromosomes
. Manufacture ribosomal RNA and ribosomes
What is the size and shape of mitochondria
. They are rod shaped and are 1-10qm in length
A double membrane is found around the mitochondria, what does it do
What does the inner membrane do
. It controls the entry and exit of material
. The inner of the two membranes is folded to form extensions known as cristae
What are cristae and what do they do in mitochondria
. They are extensions of the inner membrane, which in some species extend across the whole width of the mitochondria
. They provide a large surface area for the attachment of enzymes and other proteins involved in respiration
What is the matrix in mitochondria
It makes up the remainder of the mitochondria
It contains protein, lipids, ribosomes, and DNA that allows the mitochondria to control the production of some of their own proteins
Many enzymes involved in respiration are found in the matrix
Why is the number of mitochondria in cells high
. They are the sites of the aerobic stages of respiration, so are responsible for the production of the energy carrying molecule ATP from respiratory substrates such as glucose
So the number of them are high in cells that have a high level of metabolic activity and therefore require a plentiful supply of ATP
Examples of metabolically active cells
Muscle and epithelial cells
Epithelial cells in the intestines require lots of ATP in the process of absorbing substances from the intestines by active transport
What are chloroplasts
How big are they
They are the organelles that carry out photosynthesis
They vary in shape and size but are typically disc shaped
They are 2-10qm long and 1qm in diameter
What are the 3 parts of chloroplasts called
The chloroplast envelope
The grana
The stroma
What does the chloroplast envelope do in chloroplasts
. It is a double plasma membrane that surrounds the organelle
. It is highly selective in what it allows to enter and leave the chloroplast