Cell Structure Flashcards
What is the function of the nucleus?
-Contains genetic information
-Provides the instructions for protein synthesis
What is the structure of the nucleus?
- nuclear envelope( double membrane with pores that allow entry and exit of substances e.g exit of MRNA)
-nucleolus (has no membrane) where ribosomes are made
-contains the genetic material chromatin
What is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
-transports assembled proteins through cisternae into vesicles to be transported into the Golgi apparatus
What is the structure of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
-System of membranes, containing cisternae that are continuous with the nuclear membrane
-Provides a large surface area for ribosomes
-The RER is coated with ribosomes
What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
-Involved in lipid metabolism:
.Synthesises cholesterol
.Synthesises lipids and phospholipids needed by cell
.Synthesises steroid hormones .e.g. sex hormones
-Involved with absorption, synthesis and transport of lipids (from the gut)
What is the structure of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
-System of membranes ,containing cisternae that are continuous with the nuclear membrane
-No ribosomes on surface(unlike RER)
-Contains enzymes that catalyse reactions involved with lipid metabolism
What is the function of the Golgi apparatus ?
-Proteins are modified .e.g. by adding sugar molecules to make glycoproteins, being folded into their 3D shape
-Packages proteins into vesicles either for exocytosis or to be stored in cell
What is the structure of the Golgi apparatus?
- Consists of stacks of membrane-bound flattened sacs
- Secretory vesicles bring materials to and from the Golgi apparatus
What is the function of ribosomes?
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
-ribosomes bound to exterior of RER mainly for synthesising proteins to be exported out of cell
-ribosomes free in the cytoplasm are primarily sight of assembly of proteins to be used inside of cell
What is the structure of ribosomes?
-Small spherical organelles (around 20nm in diameter )
-made of ribosomal RNA
-Made in nucleolus as two separate subunits, which pass through nuclear envelope into cytoplasm and then combine
-Some ribosomes are free in cytoplasm and some attach to RER
What is the function of mitochondria?
AEROBIC RESPIRATION
- site of ATP ( energy currency) production during aerobic respiration
-self replicating more can be made if the cells energy needs to increase
-abundant in cells where much metabolic activity takes place .e.g. in liver cells and muscle cells
What is the structure of Mitochondria?
-May be spherical rod shaped or branched
-2-5micrometers long
- double membrane
- inner membrane highly folded ( folds called cristae)
-fluid filled matrix
- has DNA
What is the function of lysosomes?
BREAKS DOWN WORN OUT ORGANELLES
-keeps powerful hydrolytic enzymes separate from rest of cell
-engulfs old cell organelles and foreign matter ,digest them and return digested components to cell for reuse
What is the function of chloroplasts ?
-site of photosynthesis
1.light dependent stage (in grana)
2.light independent stage (in stroma)
Abundant in leaf cells, particularly the palisade mesophyll layer
What is the structure of chloroplasts?
-large organelles 4-10micrometers long
-double membrane
-inner membrane -stacks of thylakoids (which contains chlorophyll)
-each stack is called a granum (plural grana)
-fluid filled matrix called stroma
-contains loops of DNA and starch grains
What is the function of the cell plasma membrane?
-controls entrance and exit of molecules
-barrier
-selectively permeable
- phospholipid bilayer
What is the structure of the cell plasma membrane?
-2 layers of phospholipids
-contains proteins (cell signalling)
-contains cholesterol
What is the function of centrioles?
-makes spindle fibres (made out of tubulin) before a cell divides
-involved in the formation of cilia and undulipodium
What is the structure of centrioles?
- consist of 2 bundles of microtubules at right angles to each other
-microtubules are made of tubulin protein subunits and are arranged to form a cylinder