Cell Structure Flashcards
Define the Cell
the simplest unit of life, found in all living things
what do living things have to be able to do?
grow,
obtain nutrients and excrete waste, reproduce
be responsive to their environment
Define Unicellular
contains only one cell
Define Multicellular
contains multiple, genetically identical cells
(genetically identical cells contain the same DNA but can differ in shape, size and function)
Describe cellular organization
cells —> tissues —> organs —> organ systems
Define Tissues
groups of cells similar in shape, size and function
capable of recognizing each other and sticking to each other
Define Organs
groups of different tissues working together to perform a specialized function
Define organ systems
groups of organs that have related (not identical) functions
Define organelles
structures inside a cell which perform the functions necessary for cellular survival
Define Prokaryotic cells
simplest cells, lacking membrane bound organelles
smaller and simpler than eukaryotic
only found in bacteria and archaea
What are mitochondria responsible for and where are they found?
responsible for providing the cell with energy
suspended in the cytoplasm
What do mitochondria look like
ovals with finger like projections towards the center
Define Cristae
Finger like projections cause by the folding of the mitochondria’s inner membrane
Define cellular respiration
the process of deriving energy from broken down nutrients
How does cellular respiration work
food particles (glucose) are reacted with oxygen molecules at the cristae, producing water, carbon monoxide and oxygen
What Formula is this :
C6 H12 O6 + 6O2 –> 6CO2 + 6H2O + ENERGY
Cellular Respiration
Where does the energy produced through cellular respiration go?
The energy gets trapped in Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP molecules)
- ATP is the basic unit of energy in all living things
Describe the process of Cellular Respiration (atp)
when a chemical reaction requires energy to occur,
a molecule of ATP breaks one of its phosphate bonds
and uses the energy from that broken bond for the chemical reaction
After ATP is used to provide energy to a chemical reaction, what does the ATP turn into?
After using a phosphate, ATP becomes Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)
Where does the ADP go to get its phosphate bond replenished?
The Cristae
Describe what happens to the energy of cellular respiration.
(where does the energy get used)
1/3 gets converted into ATP
2/3 is lost to thermal energy (heat)
Define Endosymbiosis and an example it was used
one organism living within another organism
example: mitochondria
What is so special about the mitochondria?
They are the only organelle with their own DNA, besides the nucleus
They also reproduce separately from the rest of the cell and are inherited through the mothers egg
Define Cytoplasm
fluid in the cell OUTSIDE the nucleus
Define Nucleoplasm
fluid INSIDE the nucleus
Define Nucleus
organelle responsible for storing
and protecting the cell genetics info (DNA) and directing protein synthesis
Define Chromosomes
the cells DNA, stored in coiled, thread like structures
Define Nuclear Membrane
double layered outer membrane of the nucleus
responsible for forming a barrier between DNA and the Cytoplasm
- is semi-permeable
Define Semi- Permeable
selects which materials may enter or exit
Define Nuclear Pores
allows material to be transported in and out of the nucleus
- the nuclear membrane contains nuclear pores
Define Nucleolus
the structure responsible for building ribosomes
- stored in the nucleus, as well as the chromosomes
*nucleus is like city hall
Define the Endoplasmic Reticulum
a series of membranous canals coming from the nucleus that extend through the cytoplasm
allows for rapid transportation of materials throughout the cell
- think of ER as the highway system
the space between the two layers of nuclear membrane becomes the ER
Define Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
regular ER covered in ribosomes
appears bumpy
attached ribosomes allow for rapid production and secretion of proteins
*make proteins for outside of the cell
Define Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
regular ER that lacks attached ribosomes
appears smooth
responsible for producing lipids
*cells that secrete lots of lipids require lots of SER
- make proteins for inside of the cell
Define Ribosomes
responsible for producing proteins
found attached to the ER or suspended in the cytoplasm
smallest organelle
found in both types of cells
- think of ribosomes as the factories of the cell
Define Golgi Bodies
responsible for packing proteins and lipids to be secreted from the cell
looks like a stack of pancakes
- post office of the cell
Describe the transportation of lipids and proteins to exit the cell
lipids and proteins destined to exit the cell go from the ER to the golgi bodies
golgi bodies wrap them up in a membrane and attaches them to Glycoproteins
Glycoproteins allow them to pass through the cell membrane
Describe Lysosomes
responsible for recycling old cell parts, breaking down food particles and destroying pathogens
uses a combo of enzymes and free radicals
- think of them as police and garbage collectors
What are free radicals
charged oxygen ions designed to rip apart unwanted proteins
When does Pus appear
when cells are dying faster than the body’s lysosomes can recycle clean cell parts
Pus- build up of cellular debris
Cells contain lysosomes when:
think police
they need to break down dangerous chemicals or pathogens
Describe the cell membrane
envelope that surround the cytoplasm
function :
to hold the contents of the cytoplasm
regulate the transport in and out of the cell
imports nutrients and excrete waste
consists of a phospholipid bilayer that’s semi-permeable
- think border guard
Describe the Cell Wall
only in plant cells,
surrounds cell membrane
provides shape and rigidity
made of cellulose (carbs)
Describe Vacuoles
only in plant cells
large, fluid filled sac —> looks like a large bubble
stores nutrients and water
Describe Plastids
only in plant cell
produce + store sugar molecules
contains pigments
Describe pigments
(specifically chlorophyll)
chemicals responsible for performing photosynthesis
use visible light energy to react carbon dioxide with water forming sugar and oxygen
What formula is this?
Energy + 6CO2 + 6H2O —> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Photosynthesis formula
Describe Chloroplasts
most common plastid
contains chlorophyll (green pigment)
Describe Chromoplasts
plastids containing orange + yellow pigments, which give some flowers their color
