A Tour of the Cell Flashcards
Theory:
- All organisms are composed of cells
- Cells are the smallest living things
- Cells arise only from pre-existing cells
Cell size is limited
Most cells are relatively small due to reliance on diffusion of substances in and out of cells
Rate diffusiom after by:
- Surface area
- Temperature
- Concentration gradient
- Distance
Surface area-to-volume ratio:
Organism made of many small cells has an advantage over an organism composed of fewer, larger cells
As a cell’s size increases ..
It’s volume increases much more rapidly than its surface area
Some cells overcome limitation ..
By bring long & skinny - like neutrons
Microscopes:
Not many cells are visible to the naked eye
-most are less than 50 ü m in diameter
Resolution:
Minimum distance 2 points can be apart & still be distinguished as two separate points
-objects must be 100 ü m apart for the naked eye to resolve them as 2 objects rather than one.
Light microscopes:
- Use magnifying lenses wuth visible light
- Resolve structures that are 200 nm apart
- Limit to resolution using light
Electron microscope:
- Use beam of electrons
2. Resolve structures that are 0.2 nm apart
Scanning electron microscope (SEM):
Scans the surface
Transmission electron microscope (TEM):
Slices in between the structures & shows a picture of the interior
Basic features of ALL cells:
- Plasma membrane
- Semi fluid substance called cytosol
- Chromosomes (carry genes)
- Ribosomes (make proteins)
Prokaryotic cells:
- Simplest organisms
- Lack a membrane- bound nucleus
- DNA is present in the nucleoid - Cell wall outside of plasma membrane (protect the cell, maintain its shape, & prevent excessive uptake or loss of water)
- Do contain ribosomes (not membrane-bound organells)
2 domains of prokaryotes:
- Archaea
2. Bacteria
Eukaryotic cells:
- Possess a membrane-bound nucleus
- More complex than prokaryotic cells
- Possess a cytoskeleton for support and maintain cellular structure
Hallmark is compartmentation ..
Achieved through use of membrane-bound organelles & endomembrane system
Nucleus:
Houses genetic information
Nucleolus:
Region where rRNA synthesis takes place
Nuclear envelope:
Double membrane structure that surrounds the nucleus in eukaryotic cells & provides this compartmentalization.
Chromatin:
DNA + Protein
Ribosomes:
Cell’s protein synthesis machinery
Ribosomes are found in ..
All cell types in all 3 domains
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is ..
Protein complex