Cell Biology Flashcards
Cell wall?
Semi rigid structure composed mainly of cellulose.
Supports cell and limits its volume.
What are the 4 plant phyla?
Bryophyta (moss)
Filicinophyta (fern)
Coniferophyta (christmas tree)
Angiospermophyta (daffodil)
Ribosomes?
Site of protein synthesis,
Can be free in cytoplasm or associated with the ER
Endoplasmic reticulum:
Network of tubes and flattened sacs. May be smooth or have attached ribosomes
(In plant cell can be rough or smooth)
Mitochondria?
They are the cell energy transformers, converting chemical energy into ATP. (Site of aerobic respiration)
Consist of matrix (with fluid) and cristae (folds)
Starch granules?
Carbohydrates stored in amyloplasts (plasmids for specialised storage)
Chloroplast?
Specialised plasmids containing chlorophyll.
Site of photosynthesis.
Contain grana (dense stacks of thylacoids) within a colourless stroma
Golgi apparatus
A series of flattened disc shaped sacs (vescicles and cisterna)
It stores, modifies and packages proteins.
Vacuoles?
Large central v: filled with an aqueous solution of ions, for storage, waste disposal and growth.
Other: in animal cells, they are smaller
Nucleolus?
A dense solid structure composed of crystalline protein and nucleic acid.
Contains chromosomes that carry genetic information.
Lysosome?
(In animal cells)
Formed with the golgi apparatus.
Contain and transport enzymes that break down food and foreign matter.
Centrioles and microtubules
M: move chromosomes during cell division
C: composed of Microtubules, form an anchor point for them during cell division
Difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
P are smaller; E larger
P unicellular; E often multicellular
P has no nucleus (naked DNA called nucleiod); E has nucleus
P can have flagella/pili; E has organelles
P has plasmids (circular DNA); E has linear
P divides by binary fission; E by mitosis/meiosis(sex)
P contains 70s ribosomes; E contains 80s
What is the cell theory?
The theory that cells are the fundamental building blocks of all living organisms
Limitations on cell size?
Rate of metabolic reactions is proportional to volume, the rate of absorption depends on SA.
Therefore, SA:volume is important.
The larger the animal, the smaller the SA, so the smaller the metabolic rate.
How to calculate magnification and units of size?
Magn= size of image/size of specimen
1000mm = 1m 1000μm = 1mm 1000nm = 1μm
What are stem cells?
Cells that can differentiate to form specialised cells.
They have the ability to divide for growth and repair.
Advantages of embryonic vs adult stem cells?
Embryonic:
Easier to obtain.
Almost unlimited growth potential as they are undifferentiated.
Less chance of genetic damage.
Adult:
No embryo must be destroyed to obtain them.
Cells have no rejection problems with adult tissue.
There is less chance of malignant tumours called teratocarcinomas