Animal Cells Flashcards
What is the structure of the nucleus?
- Contains genetic information
- Contains a nucleolus
- Has a nuclear envelope (double membrane) containing pores
What is the function of the nucleus?
- Controls the cell’s activities - It contains DNA with instructions to produce proteins.
- Synthesis of ribosomes - The nucleolus makes RNA.
- Exchange between nucleus and cytoplasm - Substances can enter or leave the nucleus via the nuclear pores.
What is the structure of the cell surface membrane?
- Found on the surface of animal cells.
- Mainly made up of lipids and protein.
What is the function of the cell surface membrane?
- Controls movement of substances into and out of the cell - The membrane is partially permeable.
- Cell signalling - Receptors can detect signals from other cells.
What is the structure of the mitochondria?
- Contain an enzyme-rich liquid known as the matrix.
- Surrounded by a double membrane in which the inner membrane is folded to form structures known as cristae.
- Contain their own DNA (mtDNA) and ribosomes.
What is the function of the mitochondria?
Site of aerobic respiration - Produces ATP.
What is the structure of ribosomes?
- Found in the cytoplasm or attached to rough endoplasmic reticulum.
- 80S ribosomes.
- Made up of proteins and rRNA.
- Consist of a large and a small subunit.
- Not surrounded by a membrane.
What is the function of ribosomes?
Site of protein synthesis - Involved in the process of translation.
What is the structure of the golgi apparatus?
- Contain fluid-filled, membrane-bound sacs known as cisternae.
- Contain smaller vesicles.
What is the function of the golgi apparatus?
- Process and package lipids and proteins - Carried out by the cisternae.
- Store and transport lipids and proteins - Carried out by the vesicles.
- Synthesise lysosomes - Specialised vesicles.
What is the structure of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
- Contains a network of membranes enclosing a fluid-filled space, known as cisternae.
- The surface of the cisternae is covered with ribosomes.
What is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
Synthesis and transport of proteins - The proteins are made using the ribosomes.
What is the structure of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
Same as the rough endoplasmic reticulum without the ribosomes.
What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
Synthesis, storage, and transport of lipids and carbohydrates.
What is the structure of lysosomes?
- Contain hydrolytic enzymes.
- Surrounded by a membrane to keep enzymes separate from the cytoplasm of the cell.
What is the function of lysosomes?
- Digest pathogens - This process uses enzymes.
- Break down waste material - This material includes old organelles and cells.
What is the structure of the cytoskeleton?
- Present throughout the cytoplasm and provides structure and support to the cell.
- It consists of 3 main components: microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments.
What is the function of microfilaments?
Made of the protein actin.
Involved in cell movement and muscle contraction.
What is the function of microtubules?
- Made of the protein tubulin.
- Form a scaffold-like structure throughout the cell.
- Form the main component of the mitotic spindle, used for cell division.
- Act as tracks for intracellular transport of vesicles and organelles.
What is the function of intermediate filaments?
- Maintain the position of organelles within the cell.
- Responsible for the mechanical strength of certain tissues.
