Biology Chapter 8 Cells Flashcards
What is a cell?
- The basic units of life.
- Surrounded by a plasma membrane (cell membrane) that separates the inside of the cell and the outside of the cell
- Highly organized structures
- The site of many chemical processes and reactions
- Able to sense and respond to changes in their environment. (Monitoring internally and externally)
- Has the potential to survive on its own.
Cell Theory
- All known living things are made up of cells
- The cell is the basic unit of structure, physiology, and organization in living things.
The correct interpretation of cell formation by division was finally expressed by Rudolph Virchow
“All cells only arise from pre-existing cells”
Prokaryotes
- Simplest type, unicellular
- Cytoplasm = cytosol + suspended materials including organelles
- No nuclear envelope
- No membrane bound organelles except ribosomes
- DNA in a region called nucleoid, small circular DNA called plasmids present.
Eukaryotes
- Includes Protists, Animal, Plant and Fungi
- DNA is housed in the Nucleus in the form of chromosomes
- Contain membrane-bound organelles
- Organelle membranes fold and stack within the organelle in order to maximize surface area for reactions to occur.
- This enables hundreds of different chemical reactions to occur at the same time without interference.
Similarites of Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes
Prokaryotes and eukaryotes both have cell membranes, genetic material (DNA), and ribosomes for protein synthesis. Additionally, they both engage in metabolic processes to generate energy and can reproduce.
- Chromosones
- DNA as genetic material
- Ribosomes
- Cytoplasm
- Plasma Membrane
- Sometimes have cell walls
- Vacuoles
Differences of Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes: Prokaryotes
Prokaryotes
- Nucleoid
- Circular DNA that floats freely around the cell
- Simpler DNA
- No membrane bound organelles
- Divide by Binary Fission
- Typically unicellular
- Anaerobic and aerobic
Differences of Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes: Eukaryotes
- Eukaryotes
- Nucleus
- Linear DNA that is held in the nucleus
- Complex DNA
- Membrane bound organelles
- Typically much larger
- Divide by mitosis and meiosis
- Typically multicellular
- Aerobic
What is a plant cell (characteristics)
- Plant cells are characterised by the following unique features:
- Strong cell walls made of cellulose
- Contain organelles called chloroplasts which allow the plant to undergo photosynthesis.
- They have a large permanent vacuole which stores various chemicals.
- There is inwards pressure from the outerwall and inner wall to keep the plant cell rigid
- Water is lost from the vacuole
Animal Cells
- Animal cells are characterised by:
- No cell wall, only a relatively thin cell membrane
- Do not contain large vacuoles, Chloroplasts and do not undergo photosynthesis.
Fungal Cells
- Like plants, fungi cells are surrounded by a Cell Wall.
- However, it is made of a carbohydrate called Chitin.
- They may be unicellular like yeast to multicellular like mushroom.
- Do not contain chloroplasts and do not undergo photosynthesis.
- Body thread called hypha which are septate or aseptate.
- Network of hyphae - mycelium
Protists
- Single-celled organisms
- Mostly microscopic but some can reach cant sizes like the kelps
- They also may be heterotrophic or photosynthesize like a plant.
- Unicellular or multicellular
- They all prefer aquatic or moist environments
Cytoplasm
- The cytoplasm is a thick fluid between the cell membrane
and the nucleus - Consists of organelles suspended in cytosol.
- The term protoplasm refers to the nucleus and cytoplasm
together.
Cytosol
- The liquid part of the cytoplasm
- Made up from a mixture of substances
Cell Membrane
- Surrounds the cell and separates the cell contents from the external environment
- Controls what enters and leaves the cell
Nucleus
- Controls all activites of cell
- Contains genetic material (DNA and RNA)
- When the cell is not dividing DNA, it is in the form of long strands called chromatin (e.g unwind strands of wool)
- When the cell is dividing the chromitn thickens coil to form chromosones
Nucleolus
- This is an area within the nucleus
- It is composed of RNA which has a role in protein synthesis
Nuclear Membrane
- This separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm
- It has two membranes
- There are gaps in the nuclear membrane called nuclear pores
- The nuclear pores allow substances to enter and leave the nucleus
Ribosomes
- Small, spherical organelles
- Where amino acids are joined together in a sequence determined by the code in DNA molecules (protein synthesis)
- Ribosomes can be free in the cytoplasm or attached to endoplasmic reticulum