Biology of the Cell

Question 1

Function of the cell membrane?

Answer 1

provides boundary between internal and external environment and allow selective passage of specific molecules into/out of the cell

Question 2

What is the most basic level of chromosome organisation?

Answer 2

Nucleosome

Question 3

In cells, what combines with DNA to form chromatin and pack the DNA down?

Answer 3

Histone proteins

Question 4

Function of mitochondria?

Answer 4

Cell power involved in many cellular mechanisms e.g. cell death, replication and response to stress

Question 5

Function of the cytoskeleton?

Answer 5

Maintain cell shape and integrity and allow some cells to move

Question 6

Function of the zona pellucida?

Answer 6

Protects the oocyte and avoids inter-specie fertilisation

Question 7

What do cortical granules on the oocyte do?

Answer 7

Release enzymes to avoid polyspermy

Question 8

How is DNA packed down even further in spermatozoa?

Answer 8

Protamines replace the histone proteins

Question 9

What do the acrosomal vesicles do in the head of the sperm?

Answer 9

contain hydrolytic enzymes which release when the sperm is contact with the zona pellucida to allow the sperm to penetrate and fertilise the egg