Cell as the Basis of Life A2.2 (Cell Structures) Flashcards
Outline the three basic tenets of the cell theory
1.) All living things are composed of cells
2.) The cell is the basic unit of life
3.) Cells come from preexisting cells
Outline the reason why the cell is the basic unit of life.
Smallest structural unit that is capable of using energy to sustain itself in a highly ordered state
Outline the reason why we have multiple types of cells for multi-cellular organisms
it’s specialization (for efficiency)
Outline the evidences for the basic tenets of the cell theory
Cell’s the basic unit of life: plants, animals, fungi, protists, bacteria contained at least one or more cell
All living things composed of cells: Subcellular components do not perform the same processes as full cells
All cells came from pre-existing cells: No evidence of spontaneous generation
Outline the type of reasoning that uses specific (observation) -> general conclusion
Inductive reasoning
Outline what we mean when we say deductive reasoning
General premises -> specific conclusion
(e.g. using cell theory tenets to make a specific conclusion)
Define theory in daily usage
A guess — has doubt
Define theory in scientific usage
Shown true through repeated observations and experiments, STILL CAN BE QUESTIONED BTW, just no current doubt (but has a degree of uncertainty??)
Define “well substantiated”
Lots of evidence
Define “based on a body of facts”
not opinion
Define “through observation and experiment”
Rigorous testing and use of scientific method
If given a picture, outline which formula would you use for Magnitude
M = I/A
Outline why HP and LP are relative?
Due to the given.
Outline what is considered as an image.
The actual size but magnified for us to see w/ or w/o a microscope
e.g.: what we see using a microscope, drawings, our rulers (because how can we measure the actual size using a ruler only when the organisms we study are usually tiny?), etc.
How should scientific names be written
-If written, underlined
-If typed, italicized
- The genus name should be capitalized
(e.g. Allium cepa)
Describe the methods of determining the field of view diameter (FOV) using a ruler
Method 1: Place a transparent metric ruler
Outline the two types of cells.
There’s eukaryotic and prokaryotic
List the common structures of all cells
- Plasma membrane
- Cytoplasm
- DNA
- Ribosomes
Describe the plasma membrane
It is a bilayer formed from phospholipids
- Due to their amphipathic nature (hydrophilic and hydrophobic)
Describe what a cytosol is.
It is the liquid part of the cytoplasm.
- Gel-like fluid substance made of water and many dissolved solutes (sugars, amino acids, proteins …)
What does the scale bar refer to?
Image size
Give the parts of the microscope
Outline the process of preparing a wet mount
Define staining and give examples
Define “resolution”
Smallest interval distinguishable by the microscope — level of detail visible in an image created by the instrument
Outline the benefits of a compound light microscope
- Ease of use
- Less expensive to buy
- Can observe dead or living cells in color
- Cell movement can be studied
- Quick specimen prep (minutes to hours)
What does a compound light microscope do to magnify images?
Bend light
What does an electron microscope do to magnify images?
Use electron beams focused by electron magnets to magnify and resolve
Outline the disadvantages of a compound light microscope
- Maximum magnification of 1500X (can only see bacteria)
- low resolving power (0.25 micrometer to 0.3 micrometer)
- low level of detail and smaller image size
Define begets
Gives rise to
Outline the structures common to all cells:
- Plasma membrane
- Cytoplasm
- DNA
- Ribosomes
Give what carrier of genetic information do living things use today
DNA
Describe the functions and sizes of ribosomes in BOTH prokaryotes and eukaryotes
- Catalyzes the synthesis of polypeptides during translation
- Composed of two subunits that come together to form a functioning structure
- size of eukaryote ribosomes (80s) > size of prokaryote ribosomes (70S)
Distinguish the features of a prokaryotic cell from a eukaryotic cell. (SEP AFTER)
S(ize), M(embrane)o(rganelles), R(eproduction), C(ell) w(all), D(NA) l(ocation), M(ovement) F(lagella), D(NA) P(roteins), R(ibosomes), P(lasmids), U(ni-) M(ulti-)
S, Mo, R, Cw, Dl, Mf, Dp, R, P, U/M
Smart Moms rearing cutware Delicious Mof Deplacement Reception Poetic United/Multiple
Outline and describe the structures of the prokaryotic cell and its functions
Define and explain nucleoid
Prokaryotic
Define what we mean when we say that prokaryotic cell DNA is “naked”
DNA is not associated with proteins.
In eukaryotes, how does the DNA “associate itself with proteins?
Via nucleosomes
- which is when DNA coiled around proteins called histones.
(This doesn’t happen in prokaryotic cells as they are “naked”, they don’t have membrane and thus have no “histones”/protein to coil around in)
Identify the nucleoid, cell wall and plasma membrane of this prokaryotic cell
Outline the common structures of Eukaryotic cells (not necessarily seen in both plant and animal cells)
Describe the nucleus (eukaryotic cell as nucleoid is for prokaryotic)
- Contains DNA
- Contains nucleolus, a spherical structure that produces ribosomes
- Has a double membrane with pores through it
Explain the structures of ribosomes and its function (both prok and euk).
- catalyzes the synthesis of polypeptides during translation (common function)
- composed of two subunits that come tgt to form a functioning structure
In eukaryotes, give the two categories of ribosomes
1.) Free = floating in cytoplasm, synthesizing polypeptides (the blue string) used within the cell
2.) Bound = attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum (green), synthesizing polypeptides that are secreted from the cell or become integral proteins in the cell membrane
Describe the structure and functions of the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum [4]
- a series of flatten membranous sacs
-“membranous” because it carries proteins alike the cell membrane - Play a central role in the synthesis and transport of polypeptides.
- Like amazon. Creates products and ships it.
- has bound ribosomes which synthesize the polypeptide and release it to the inside of the RER.
- the RER membrane is continuous with the nuclear envelope, which surrounds the cell nucleus
- basically attached to outside of nucleus.
(Think of it like Amazon. And the bound ribosomes are the employees)
Describe the smooth endoplasmic reticulum
- a series of connected flattened membranous sacs that are continuous with the RER.
- In contrast to the RER, smooth endoplasmic reticulum lacks ribosomes and is not involved in protein synthesis
- Main Function*: synthesis of phospholipids and cholesterol (lipids)
Describe the golgi apparatus’ functions
- modify polypeptides into their functional state
- the golgi sorts, concentrates and packs their proteins into vesicles
- like delivery centers — the drop off points of Amazon (RER) ??
- vesicles are like the package
- depending on the contents, the vesicles are dispatched into one of three destinations:
- Within the cell, to lysosomes (synthesized by free ribosomes)
- The plasma membrane of the cell (synthesized by bound ribosomes)
- Secretion to the outside of the cell via exocytosis (synthesized by bound ribosomes)
Describe vesicles
Membrane bound sacs that contain and transport materials within cells.
Explain the two types of vesicles
1.) Transport vesicles - move molecules between locations inside the cell by budding off one organelle compartment.
2.) Secretory vesicles - secrete molecules from the cell via exocytosis.
- They are also *how new phospholipids are added to the cell membrane.
Describe the lysosome
-
small spherical organelles, enclosed by a single membrane.
- aka suicide bags
- contain enzymes that work in oxygen-poor areas and lower pH
-
enzymes digest large molecules (function) to degrade and recycle the components of the cell’s own organelles when they are old or damaged, or if the cell is ‘starving’ in the absence of nutrients (purposes)
- lysosome: the “fix-it”/feeding company; the enzymes: the handy men
-
also has an immune defense function by digesting pathogens that have been engulfed by phagocytes.
- lysosome also doubles as a security company! They contain threats engulfed by phagocytes!
- phagocytes: security guards
- pathogens: intruders (e.g. harmful bacteria)
Describe mitochondria
- mitochondria apadted for production of ATP by aerobic cellular respiration
- mitochondrion is surrounded by a double membrane
- because according to endosymbiosis, the ancestor of the mitochondria (a prokaryote cell) had its own membrane before being swallowed
- mitochondria evolved by endosymbiosis
Describe chloroplasts
- adapted for photosynthesis, converts sunlight to glucose via water and carbon.
- chlorophyll, light absorbing pigments, give the chloroplast its characteristic green color.
- chloroplasts evolved by endosymbiosis.
Describe vacuoles in plant cells
Purpose: water storage
- In mature plant cells, a central vacuole contains 30% - 90% of the volume of the cell.
- In addition to water storage, the main role of the vacuole is to maintain turgor pressure against the cell wall
-
Turgor pressure = mechanism the plants use to remain upright
- forces cell wall to protect the plant cell from the pressure and thus maintain posture by fighting pressure (??)
Describe cytoskeleton
IT IS NOT AN ORGANELLE (even if its present within both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells)
It is a “backbone” or “skeleton” in the sense that it:
- helps cells maintain their shape
- organizes cell parts
- enables cells to move and divide (because it is made from microtubules)
Outline the components working together to form the cytoskeleton
- Several different components work together to form the
cytoskeleton, including: - microtubules
- actin filaments
- intermediate filaments
Describe/explain what are microtubules
Polymers of a protein called tubulin and form part of the exoskeleton
-Function: intracellular transportation of organelles and separation of chromosomes
- e.g.: in meiosis?
Explain/describe the centrioles
Paired cylindrical-shaped group of organelles composed of nine groups of three microtubules organized with radial symmetry
Functions:
- arrangement of the miotic spindle during cell division.
- anchor points for microtubules in the cytoplasm and for cilia and flagella (which modified to become a basal body)
distinguish and compare Cilia and Flagella
Similarities:
- Extensions from the cell surface which aid in cell movement (think of the sperm tell as an example)
Differences:
- Cilia: protrusions (the “tails”) are short and numerous
- Flagella: longer and less numerous.
Outline the shared processes of life
Homeostasis, Metabolism, Nutrition, Movement, Response to Stimuli, Excretion, Growth, Reproduction
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