Bio: Molecular Biology Flashcards
why are cells small
due to reliance on the diffusion of substances in and out ofthe cell
waht is tyhe rate of diffusion reliant upon
surface area avaliable
termpature
concentration gradient (ficks first law)
distance - larger cells means greater distance
what does greater surface area mean
means greater interaction with the environment because all substances enter and exit via the surface (membrane)
basic structural similarities between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
- nucleoid or nucleus where DNA is located
- cytoplasm - semifluid matrix of organelles and cytosol
- ribosomes
- synthesis proteins - translation - plasma membrane
- phospholipid bilayer, transporter proteins
bacterial walls
- Most bacterial cells are encased by a strong cell wall.
- Composed of peptidoglycan (carbohydrate matrix cross-linked by short peptides).
- Cell walls of plants and fungi are different.
- Protect the cell, maintain its shape, and prevent excessive uptake or loss of water.
- The susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics often depends on the structure of their cell walls.
- Archaea lack peptidoglycan (only protein).
eukaryotic cells
- Possess a membrane-bound nucleus.
- More complex than prokaryotic cells.
- Hallmark is compartmentalization (achieved through membrane-bound organelles or endomembrane system).
- Possess a cytoskeleton for support and to maintain cellular structure.
stuff 2 know about the nucleus
- Store genetic information.
- Most eukaryotic cells possess a single nucleus.
- Nuclear envelope (membrane)
* two phospholipid bilayers.
* nuclear pores - control movement in and out (proteins). - In eukaryotes, the genes (made of DNA) are present in chromosomes.
- Chromatin - DNA and protein in chromosomes.
stuff to know about ribosomes
- Cell’s protein synthesis machinery.
- Found in all cell types (prokaryotes and eukaryotes).
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) - proper alignment of mRNA and ribosomes and catalyze the peptide bonds).
- Protein synthesis also requires messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA - provide anticodon).
- Ribosomes may be free in the cytoplasm or associated with internal membranes (ER and nuclear membranes).
animal vs plant cells
Animal and plant cells have largely the same structure
* Both have plasma membranes.
* Contain most of the same organelles.
Plant cells have extra components usually not present in animal cells
* A cell wall outside of the plasma membrane.
* Chloroplasts and specialized vacuoles internally.
stuff to know about the endoplasmic reticulum
Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
* Attachment of ribosomes to the membrane gives a rough appearance.
* Slasthan empateins to be secreted, sent to lysosomes or Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)
* Relatively few bound ribosomes.
* Variety of functions - synthesis (carbohydrates, lipids steroids, hormones etc.), store Ca*, detoxification (especially in liver cells).
Ratio of RER to SER depends on cell’s function.
things to know about vescicles
- Membrane-bound (tonoplast) structures typically found in plants.
- Contractile vacuoles (very small) in some fungi and animal cells.
- Various functions depending on the cell type Storage vacuoles in plants (waste, toxins, heavy metals, NaCl or any kind of unwanted material).
things to know about the golgi apparatus
- Flattened stacks of interconnected membranes
(Golgi bodies). - Functions in packaging and distribution of molecules synthesized at one location and used at another within the cell or even outside of it.
- Has cis (near ER) and trans faces.
- Vesicles transport molecules to the destination.
things to know about lysosomes
- Membrane-bounded digestive vesicles.
- Arise from the Golgi apparatus.
- Contain enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of macromolecules.
- Fuse with a target to initiate the breakdown
- Recycle old organelles, or digest cells and foreign matter that the cell has engulfed by phagocytosis
things to know about microbodies
Variety of enzyme-bearing, membrane-enclosed vesicles.
Peroxisomes
1. Contain enzymes involved in the oxidation of fatty acids.
2. Hydrogen peroxide produced as a by-product - rendered harmless by catalase enzyme.
things to know about eukaryotic cell walls
Present in plants, fungi, and some protists
Eukaryotic cell walls are distinct from prokaryotic cell walls chemically and structurally
* Plant and protist cell walls made of cellulose and hemicellulose.
* Fungi cell walls are made of chitin.
* Plant cells have primary and possibly secondary cell walls (mostly lignin and suberin).
things to know about chloroplasts
- Organelles present in cells of plants and some other eukaryotes.
- Surrounded by two membranes.
- Contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
- Thylakoids are membranous sacs within the inner membrane.
Grana are stacks of thylakoids. - Have their own DNA
membrane structure
- Phospholipids arranged in a bilayer
- Globular proteins inserted in the lipid bilayer
- Fluid mosaic model - a mosaic of proteins floats in or on the fluid lipid bilayer like boats on a pond
plasmodesmata
Plant cells have plasmodesmata
*
*
Specialized openings in their cell walls.
Cytoplasm of adjoining cells are connected.
Function - communication between cells, transport of molecules between cells.
Main components of plasma membrane
- Phospholipid bilayer
* Flexible matrix, barrier to permeability. - Transmembrane proteins
* Integral membrane proteins.
membrane proteins Various functions:
- Transporters
- Enzymes
- Cell-surface receptors
- Cell-surface identity markers
- Cell-to-cell adhesion proteins
- Attachments to the cytoskeleton
enerrgy definition
capacity to do work
redox reactions
During chemical reactions, electrons pass from one atom or molecule to another
* Atom or molecule loses an electron - Oxidation
* Atom or molecule gains an electron - Reduction
* Reduced form has a higher level of energy than the oxidized form
* Reduction — Oxidation reactions (redox)
* Reactions are always paired.
first law of thermodynamics
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed
- Energy can only be changed from one form to another
- Total amount of energy in the universe remains constant
- During each conversion, some energy is lost as heat
eenrgy flow
- Sun provides energy for most living systems.
- Energy flows into the biological world from the sun.
- Photosynthetic organisms capture this energy, e.g. plants, algae and some bacteria.
- In photosynthesis, absorb energy from sunlight is used to convert small molecules (water and CO,) into complex molecules (sugars).
- Stored as potential energy in chemical bonds.
- Energy stored in chemical bonds may be used for some cellular processes, e.g. respiration.
second law of thermodynamics
Energy cannot be transformed from one form to another with 100% efficiency
* Some energy is always unavailable - Entropy
* Energy transformations proceed spontaneously to convert matter from a less stable form to a more stable form
gibbs free energy
G = Free energy available to perform work
G = H-TS
* H = enthalpy, energy in a molecule’s chemical bonds.
T = absolute temperature or Kelvin temperature
(K = 273 +°C).
* S = entropy, unavailable energy.
ΔG = ΔH - TS
ΔG = change in free energy
Positive ΔG
* Products have more free energy than reactants.
* H is higher or S is lower.
* Not spontaneous, requires the input of energy (uphill reaction).
* Endergonic.
Negative ΔG
* Products have less free energy than reactants.
H is lower or S is higher or both.
* Spontaneous.
Exergonic.