Cell Biology Flashcards
mitochondria
“power house of cell”- energy released
A double membrane surrounds mitochondria and inside fluid is called matrix. They produce ATP for the cell by aerobic cell respiration. Fat is digested here if it is being used as an energy source in the cell.
free ribosome
They synthesise protein, releasing it to work in the cytoplasm, as enzymes or in other ways. Ribosomes are constructed in a region of the nucleus called the nucleolus. Not surrounded by a membrane and known as 80S.
nucleolus
functions in protein synthesis
nucleus
control center of cell (controls all activities)
cell wall
(only plant, unicellular, bacteria) outer boundary, for protection, maintains the shape of the cell
cell (plasma) membrane
outer boundary, regulates the movement of substances into and out of the cell (semi-permeable)
lysosomes
Formed from Golgi vesicles and contain high concentrations of protein, which makes them densely staining in electron micrographs. They contain digestive enzymes, which can be used to break down ingested food in vesicles or break down organelles in the cell or even the whole cell (self-destruction). They are also used by phagocytes to digest ingested particles.
vacuoles and vesicles
Single membrane with fluid inside. Many plants cells have large vacuoles storing various substances, some animals absorb foods from outside and digest them inside vacuoles. Some unicellular organisms use vacuoles to expel the more-than-needed-water.
Vesicles are very small vacuoles used to transport materials inside the cell.
cytoplasm
gel like substance (main ingredient is water), site of most chemical reactions in the cell
chromosomes
function in hereditary, collection of genes
genes
individual units or hereditary
chloroplasts
(only in plants) Double membrane surrounds the chloroplast, which contains chlorophyll which contains stacks of thylakoid. They produce glucose and a wide variety of other organic compounds by photosynthesis.
Golgi bodies
package and transports certain substances
centriole/ cetrosome
(only in animals), function in cell division
nuclear membrane
outer boundary of the nucleus, protects it by regulating the movement of substances into and out of the nucleus through the nuclear pore.
Levels of Organisation
cells = the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism
tissues = a group of similar cells preforming a particular task (blood, xylem, phloem, etc.)
organs = a structure composed of different tissues fulfilling a function (heart, leaves of plants, etc.)
organ system = a combination of organs working together (the circulatory system)
extra cellular matrix
The cell membrane around a single cell organism has an additional outer layer called extra cellular matrix, which gives stability, protection, maintains the shape and prevents from bursting and anchor the cilia sometimes.
pilli
Protein rods projecting from the cell wall and extracellular matrix. Helps cell to “stick” to other surfaces.
nucleoid
(in prokaryotes) Region of cytoplasm which contains naked DNA