Cell Bio Ch.1: Introduction to the Study of Cell and Molecular Biology Flashcards
Who is Robert Hooke and why are his contributions relevant?
- He was the first one to discover cells, he viewed them from a piece of cork following the invention of the microscope in the mid-1600s. He’s originally examined them as “pores” but later called them cells because they reminded him of the cells that monks in monasteries lived in.
Who is Anton Leewenhok and why are his contributions relevant?
- He constructed high-quality simple microscopes.
- He was the first to observe living cells/organisms in pond water.
Who were the 3 people to articulate the Cell Theory? What are the three tenets of Cell Theory?
The cell theory was conceptualized by Matthis Schleiden (a German botanist), Theodor Schwann (a German zoologist), and Rudolf Virchow (a German pathologist.
All organisms are composed of one or more cell The cell is the structural unit of life Cells arise from pre-existing cells by division
What are the 10 Basic Principle of Cells
1) Cells are Alive
2) Cells are highly complex and organized
3) Cells Possess a Genetic Program and the Means to
Use It
4) Cells Are Capable of Producing More of Themselves
5) Cells Acquire and Utilize Energy
6) Cells Carry Out a Variety of Chemical Reactions
7) Cells Engage in Mechanical Activities
8) Cells Are Able to Respond to Stimuli
9) Cells Are Capable of Self-Regulation
10) Cells Evolve
How is Complexity demonstrated in Cells?
It is displayed in two ways:
- Order: Cell processes are highly regulated and there’s less tolerance for errors in nature and interaction among parts
- Consistency
What is the difference between chromosomes, genes, and DNA?
- Chromosomes: sets of DNA and proteins
- DNA: stores genetic information
- Genes: nucleotide sequence that encodes genetic information
What does the cell use the “genetic program” for?
Construct cellular structure
Direct cellular activities
Guide cellular reproduction
How do Cells produce more of themselves? What’s the process?
- Cells produce more of themselves through Mitosis, which is the production of somatic cells (a ‘mother’ cell produces two identical ‘daughter cells).
- Mitosis can either be symmetrical(both daughter cells get the complete set genetic instructions and therefore the same fate) or asymmetrical (the distribution of genetic instructions is different and lead to cells with different fates)
How do plant cells and animals cells convert energy differently?
Photosynthesis in plant cells converts the light energy into carbohydrates, such as sucrose and starch Animal cells convert glucose into ATP o Provide energy for breaking down and rebuilding their own components
What is Metabolism?
The sum total of all chemical transformations
How do cells engage in mechanical activities?
Intracellular
- Material Transportation
- Structure assembly and disassembly
Extracellular
- allows cells to move around independently to perform functions (i.e. white blood cells)
How can cells respond to stimuli?
Some cells respond to stimuli in obvious way E.g. a single-celled protist Cells in a multicellular organism respond to stimuli in a less obvious way Receptor o Respond to extracellular stimuli and provoke a series of responses inside the cell
Where did cells come from?
According to modern biology, all living
organisms have evolved from a single,
common ancestral cell—the last universal
common ancestor(LUCA)
What two things determine the class of a cell?
It's the size and intracellular organelles Prokaryotic cells • Pro: before • Karyon: nucleus • About 1 to 5 μm in length Eukaryotic cells • Eu: true • About 10 to 30 μm in length
Prokaryotes
Include all bacteria
Arose ~2.7 billion years ago
Eukaryotes Include Protists Animals Plants Fungi Multicellular animals arose ~600million years ago
What are the similarities and differences in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell walls?
Similarities: they both protect the insides of the cell
Differences: the chemical compositions
What are the similarities and differences in prokaryotic and eukaryotic plasma membranes?
Similiarities:
Possess similar construction and similar function
Protect the cell from its surroundings
Semi-permeable to control the movement of
substances in and out of cells
Consists of the phospholipid bilayer with
embedded proteins
Differences:
Eukaryotes have membrane-bound organelles
o Mitochondria
o Endoplasmic reticulum
o Golgi complex
o Simple membrane-bounded vesicles
• E.g. in plant cells, chloroplasts, vacuole
What is the function of the cytoplasm in Eukaryotic cells
Divide the cytoplasm into compartments
within which specialized activities can take
place
Form a system of interconnecting channels
and vesicles, helping transportation
substances inside the cell and between cell
and its environment
Characteristics distinguish Prokaryotic
and Eukaryotic cells_ Cytoplasm
Differences: 2) Eukaryotes have more Complex cytoskeletal proteins to form o Tubules o Filaments Similarities: Both have ribosomes but they differ in size
Characteristics distinguish Prokaryotic
and Eukaryotic cells_ Genetic material
Packaging:
Prokaryotes: a nucleoid region
Eukaryotes: a membrane-bound nucleus
Amount:
Eukaryotes have much more genetic
material than prokaryotes
Form:
Eukaryotes:
o Linear DNA
o A number of separated chromosomes, each made
of one linear DNA
o Chromatin made of DNA and associated proteins
for condense packaging
Prokaryotes:
o Circular DNA
o One single, circular chromosome
o No chromatin
Characteristics distinguish Prokaryotic and
Eukaryotic cells_ Cellular reproduction
Eukaryotes
Divide by mitosis
o Chromosome condensation
o Mitotic spindle formation
Prokaryotes: Divide by binary fission o No chromosome condensation o No spindle formation
Characteristics distinguish Prokaryotic and
Eukaryotic cells_ Organism reproduction
Eukaryotes Sexual organism o Meiosis o Gamete formation o Fertilization
Prokaryotes: Nonsexual organism But some can have conjugation o A piece of DNA passes from one cell to another oPlay a critical role in microbial evolution
Characteristics distinguish Prokaryotic and
Eukaryotic cells_ Locomotion
Prokaryotes: Have multiple flagella Formed from single protein Much simple structure
Eukaryotes: Have a single flagellum or cilia More complex structure Different locomotor mechanisms
Types of Eukaryotes
Unicellular eukaryotes:
Complex single-celled organisms
• Vorticella, Yeast
Multicellular eukaryotes: A fertilized cell give rise to different cell types • Each cell type possesses o distinctive appearance o contain unique materials o play different funcitons
Cell Differentiation
o Refers to the process where a cell changes from
one cell type to another
o Cell fate is determined by cell location in the
embryo and signals from the surrounding environment
What are the two types of Eukaryotes?
Unicellular eukaryotes
- complex single-celled organisms. (i.e. vorticella, and yeast)
Multicellular Eukaryotes
- a fertilized cell gives rise to different cell types
- each cell type possesses:
1) distinctive appearance
2) contain unique materials
3) play different functions
What is Cell Differentiation?
The process where a vell changes form 1 cell type to another.
Just how small are cells?
Cells are commonly measured in units of micrometers (1 um= 10^-6m) and nanometers (1nm=10^-9m)
What is Cell Replacement Therapy?
It’s a procedure where doctors infuse specific types of normal cells into patients whose cells lost said normal function.
What are stem cells? And what are the two types of them?
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation.
There are two types of stem cells: Adult Stem Cells and Embryonic Stem Cells
What are the characteristics of Adult Stem Cells?
1) They are Multipotent (meaning they can differentiate into TWO OR MORE mature cell types)
2) They can be used to replace damaged or diseased adult tissue
What are the characteristics of Embryonic Stem Cells?
1) They are Pluripotent (meaning they can differentiate into EVERY type of cell in the body)
