Cell structure Flashcards
What is an Organelle
An organelle is a membranous structure within the cell which can carry out specialised tasks
What is the function of a nucleus?
To store the cell’s genetic information
Do all human cells have nuclei?
No
What is the largest organelle?
Nucleus
What is the primary function of the Nucleolus
To synthesise ribosomes
What is the function of a ribosome
To synthesise proteins
How do ribosomes synthesize proteins?
They synthesize proteins via reading the messenger RNA which through the process of translation turns amino acids into proteins
What is the primary difference between the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum?
Smooth ER has no ribosomes whereas the rough ER is covered in ribosomes
What are the three main functions of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Synthesise lipids
Detoxifies alcohol
Calcium storage
What are the main two functions of the golgi apparatus?
Post-Translational modification of proteins
Synthesising Carbohydrates
Where do proteins come from in the golgi apparatus?
Usually the rough endoplasmic reticulum
Where does the golgi apparatus send proteins to?
Lysosomes
Plasma membrane
Secretion vesicles
What is exocytosis
Sending something out of the cell with a vessicle
What is endocytosis
Sending something into the cell with a vessicle. This includes phagocytosis and pinocytosis
What is the main function of vesicles
For membrane bound intracellular transport, exocytosis and endocytosis primarily of proteins
What are the three sizes of filaments for a cytoskeleton?
Microfilaments
Intermeddiate filaments
Microtubles
What is the primary purpose of microfilaments?
to provide cell shape and movement
What is the cytoskeleton made of?
proteins
What is the primary purpose of intermediate filaments?
Provide cell strength
What is the primary purpose of microtubles?
Vesicle transport
What is the primary purpose of a motor protein?
to transport vesicles on the cytoskeleton
What are the types of motor protein for microtubles?
Kinesin and Dyenin
What is the type of motor protein for microfilaments
Myosin
What is the primary purpose of a lysosome?
Degrade extracellular proteins and carbohydrates
What does a lysosome contain that can speed up the process of breaking down proteins?
Enzymes
What is the primary purpose of a peroxisome?
To oxidise organic molecules
What can the peroxisome detoxify via oxidation
Alcohol and other drugs
Where do phospholipids get broken down into fatty acids?
The peroxisome
What is the primary purpose of a proteosome?
Degrade intracellular proteins
What is an autophagosome?
A structure that forms then engulfs the damaged cell contents, which then send the cell contents to the lysosome which breaks down the damaged cell contents through autophagy
How do we produce and store short term energy
Through the removal and addition of phosphate ions in ATP
What organelles have a double membrane?
Nucleus and Mitochondria
Where with what do we synthesise ATP
Enzymes in the mitochondria
What is the matrix
Gaps in between the folds of the inner membrane which contains the inner workings of the mitochondria
What is the cristae
Folds in the inner membrane of the mitochondria
Do prokaryotic cells have membrane bound organelles?
No
Why are cells small
Due to there needing a large amount of surface area to exchange units but a small amount of volume so the cell doesn’t need too many nutrients, and to maximize the surface area to volume ratio, cells need to be small.
