Cell Biology Flashcards
What is the difference between a eukaryotic and a prokaryotic cell?
Eukaryotic-complex and include all animal and plant cells
Prokaryotic-smaller and simpler eg bacteria
What are the parts of a cell called?
Sub cellular structures
What is the role of the nucleus?
Contains genetic information that control the activities of the cell
What is the role of mitochondria?
Where the reactions for aerobic respiration take place. Respiration transfers energy that the cell needs to work.
What is the role of the ribosomes?
These are where proteins are made in the cell.
What is the role of the cell membrane?
Holds the cell together and controls what goes in and out.
What is the role of the cytoplasm?
Gel-like substance where most of the chemical reactions happen. It contains enzymes that control these chemical reactions.
What is the role of the cell wall?
It is made of cellulose and supports the cell and strengthens it.
What is the role of the permanent vacuole?
Contains cell sap, a weak solution of sugar and salts.
What are the role of the chloroplasts?
These are where photosynthesis occurs, which makes food for the plant. They contain chlorophyll, which absorbs light needed for photosynthesis.
What is the structure of a bacteria cell like?
- prokaryotes
- have a single circular strand of DNA that floats freely in cytoplasm
- contain one or more small rings of DNA called plasmids
What is the equation for magnification?
=image size / object height
What are light microscopes used for?
Use light and lenses to form an image of a specimen and magnify it. They let us see individual cells and large sub cellular structures, like nuclei.
What are electron microscopes used for?
Use electrons instead of light to form an image. They have a much higher magnification than light microscopes.
How do you prepare a specimen on a slide?
- add a drop of water to middle of clean slide
- cut up an onion and separate it into layers. Use tweezers to peel off some epidermal tissue from bottom.
- place epidermal tissue using tweezers into water
- add a drop of iodine solution which will stain object by adding colour to it
- place a cover slip on top
What is cell differentiation?
The process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its function.
How do cells change?
They develop different subcellular structures and turn into different types of cells. It occurs as an organisms develops.
Why do cells differentiate in mature animals?
Used for repairing and replacing cells, such as skin or blood cells
How are sperm cells specialised?
- has a long tail and streamlined head to help it swim to egg
- a lot of mitochondria in the cell to provide energy needed
- carries enzymes in its head to digest through egg cell membrane
How are nerve cells specialised?
- they carry electrical signals from one part of the body to another
- they are long ( to cover more distance) and have branched connections at their ends to connect to other nerve cells and form a network throughout the body
How are muscle cells specialised?
- the function is to contract quickly
- they are long and contain lots of mitochondria to generate energy needed for contraction
How are root hair cells specialised?
- cells on the surface of plant roots, which grow into long “hairs” that stick out into the spill
- gives the plant a big surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions from the soil
How are the phloem and xylem cells specialised?
- made from phloem and xylem tubes which transport substances such as food and water around plants
- the cells are long and joined end to end to form the tubes
- xylem cells are hollow in the centre and phloem cells have very few subcellular structures so that stuff can flow through them