Basic Cell Structure Flashcards

1
Q

What are the functions of the cytoplasm?

A

Fatty acid synthesis

Metabolism of carbs, aa’s and nucleotides

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2
Q

What are the functions of the lysosome?

A

Cellular digestion

Detoxification reactions

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3
Q

What are the functions of the nucleus/nucleolus?

A

Ribosome assembly
RNA synthesis
DNA synthesis

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4
Q

Which sorts of molecules can dissolve in water? What is the term given to these molecules?

A

Polar molecules - hydrophilic

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5
Q

Which sorts of molecules do not dissolve in water? What is the term used to describe these molecules?

A

Non-polar molecules - hydrophobic

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6
Q

What does amphipathic mean? Give an example.

A

Has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics

Phospholipid

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7
Q

What is the optimum pH of lysosomes?

A

4.5-5

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8
Q

What would you expect to be the result in blood pH at metabolically active tissues?

A

Increased respiration —> increased CO2 —> carbonic acid —> localised fall in blood pH

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9
Q

Which enzyme catalyses the conversion of CO2 to carbonic acid?

A

Carbonic anhydrase

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10
Q

What effect can hyperventilation have on blood pH?

A

Increased blood pH. As more CO2 expelled, less carbonic acid formed

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11
Q

What effect can pulmonary obstruction have on blood pH?

A

Lower blood pH, CO2 obstructed from leaving, carbonic acid formed

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12
Q

When viewed using EM, what are the light and dark regions of the DNA called? In which of the two regions are genes expressed?

A
Light = euchromatin = genes expressed
Dark = heterochromatin = genes not expressed
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13
Q

What is the structure of heterochromatin DNA?

A

It is DNA in the 30nm solenoid fibre from - tightly wrapped

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14
Q

What is the structure of DNA in the euchromatin form?

A

Beads on a string - less tightly packed

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15
Q

What is the theoretical limit of resolution using a EM?

A

0.002nm

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16
Q

What allows the reflection of electrons in SEM?

A

The coating of the specimen in reflective material e.g. gold

17
Q

What 3 parts make up the polar hydrophilic head of a phospholipid molecule? What is the hydrophobic tail composed of?

A

Choline, phosphate, glycerol

Fatty acids

18
Q

How do proteins often become embedded in the plasma membrane?

A

The hydrophobic alpha helical regions of the protein anchor the protein in the membrane

19
Q

What is the glycocalyx? In what cells is it commonly found? How can it be viewed?

A

Cell coat. Made up of polysaccharide/oligosaccharide side chains.

Epithelial cells

Staining with ruthenium red

20
Q

What two places do ribosomes exist in cells? What does each ribosome location produce proteins for?

A

Freely in the cytoplasm - produce intracellular proteins

Associated with RER - produce extracellular proteins

21
Q

What happens to proteins at the Golgi complex?

A

They are modified, sorted, concentrated and packaged

22
Q

Where do proteins enter and leave the Golgi complex?

A

Enter at the cis face (forming face)

Leave/budded off at trans face

23
Q

How do lysosomes maintain their acidic internal environment?

A

H+ ions actively pumped into lysosome using ATP

24
Q

What is the difference between a primary and a secondary lysosome?

A
Primary = contains powerful digestive enzymes 
Secondary = already fused with pathogen, contains residual remains
25
What adaptation does the lysosome have to prevent powerful enzymes destroying the lysosome?
A specialised glycocalyx on the inside of the lysosome Membrane
26
What are peroxisomes and their functions?
Small, spherical membrane bound structures Involved in detoxification reactions Oxidise toxic compounds
27
Where are peroxisomes found in abundance?
Liver/Kidneys (many detoxification reactions taking place)
28
What enzyme does a peroxisomes contain a lot of? For what?
Catalase, to break down hydrogen peroxide
29
What are the folds seen in mitochondria called?
Cristae
30
What is the difference in permeability seen between the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes?
Outer is relatively permeable. | Inner is impermeable to small ions.
31
What structure of the cytoskeleton gives microvilli their shape? What is the typical diameter of these structures?
Actin Filaments | 5-9nm
32
What is an example of a protein that forms intermediate filaments? What is the rough diameter of these filaments? In which sorts of cells are they commonly seen?
Keratin 10nm Epithelial cells
33
What protein are microtubules made of? What is the rough diameter of a microtubule? What are they used for?
Hollow tubes of tubulin 25mm Help in movement - found in cilia/flagella
34
What arrangement do microtubules in cilia/flagella usually take?
9 + 2 arrangement, 9 around the outside, 2 in the centre