Anatomy of the cell

Question 1

What does it mean by the plasma membrane being fluid?

Answer 1

It can change its shape easily. Many proteins in the membrane can diffuse laterally, but many are anchored so it is important to realise that many proteins are not distributed equally within the cell membrane.

Question 2

What is the structure of a plasma membrane ?

Answer 2

It is a bio-molecular layer of amphipathic phospholipid molecules with their hydrophilic heads at the outer and inner surfaces and their hydrophobic fatty acid chains facing towards the middle

Question 3

What are found in the plasma membrane ?

Answer 3

Cell attachment proteins
Receptors
Enzymes
Channels
Transporters

Question 4

What is cytosol made of?

Answer 4

Proteins
Carbohydrates
Electrolytes
It has fluid and gel-like properties

Question 5

What are the common features of a eukaryotic cell?

Answer 5

Outer membrane
Cytoskeleton
Cytosol
Membrane bound organelles
Inclusions

Question 6

What is the cell membrane permeable and non-permeable to ?

Answer 6

It is permeable to oxygen,water, hydrophobic molecules and small molecules and non-permeable to charged molecules like sodium and potassium.

Question 7

What is the function of the plasma membrane ?

Answer 7

It separates the cytoplasm from the outside environment.

Question 8

How can an organelle be defined?

Answer 8

Small membrane bound organ that has a specific function and structural organisation that is important to maintain life.

Question 9

What are examples of membrane bound organelles?

Answer 9

Mitochondria
Rough endoplasmic recticulum
Smooth endoplasmic recticulum
Golgi apparatus
Lysosomes
Nucleus

Question 10

What are inclusions?

Answer 10

Inclusions in a cell are small, non-living substances or particles found inside the cell. They are not active parts of the cell, like the nucleus or mitochondria, but they serve specific functions.

Question 11

Name some Inclusions in the cell?

Answer 11

Glycogen granules
Lipid droplets
Pigments

Question 12

What is the cytoskeleton?

Answer 12

The cytoskeleton is a network of protein fibers inside a cell that gives the cell its shape, supports it, and helps it move. It acts like the cell’s “skeleton” and “muscles,” providing both structural support and flexibility.

Question 13

What does the cytoskeleton do?

Answer 13

The cytoskeleton also plays a role in transporting materials within the cell and helps organize its internal components.

Question 15

What defines a eukaryote?

Answer 15

Any cell or organism that possesses a clearly defined nucleus

Question 16

What is a plasmalemma?

Answer 16

It separates the cytoplasm from the outside environment , that forms a selectively permeable barrier