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A Level Biology > Cell Structure > Flashcards

Cell Structure Flashcards

1
Q

what are the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells

A

-cytoplasm containing membrane-bound organelles
-so DNA enclosed in a nucleus

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2
Q

which cells have similar structures to plant cells

A

-algal cells
-fungal cells

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3
Q

describe the structure of the cell surface membrane

A

-hydrophilic phosphate heads that are attracted to water
-hydrophobic fatty acid tails that repel water
-which both make up a phospholipid
-phospholipid bilayer
-proteins

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4
Q

describe the function of the cell surface membrane

A

-selectively permeable → enables control of passage of substances in / out of cell
-molecules / receptors / antigens on surface → allow cell recognition / signalling

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5
Q

describe the structure of the nucleus

A

-nuclear envelope
with double membrane
has nuclear pores
-nucleoplasm
-nucleolus (dense region)
-protein/histone bound, linear DNA
chromatin = condensed
chromosome = highly condensed

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6
Q

describe the function of the nucleus

A

-holds / stores genetic information which codes for polypeptides (proteins)
-site of DNA replication
-site of transcription (part of protein synthesis), producing mRNA
-nucleolus makes ribosomes / rRNA

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7
Q

describe the structure of a ribosome

A

-made of ribosomal RNA and protein (two subunits)
-not a membrane-bound organelle

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8
Q

describe the function of a ribosome

A

-site of protein synthesis (translation)

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9
Q

describe the structure of rER and sER

A

-ribosomes
-systems of membranes

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10
Q

describe the function of rER

A

-ribosomes on surface synthesise proteins
-proteins processed / folded / transported inside rER
-proteins packaged into vesicles for transport eg. to golgi apparatus

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11
Q

describe the function of sER

A

-synthesises and processes lipids
-eg. cholesterol and steroid hormones

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12
Q

describe the structure of golgi apparatus and vesicles

A

golgi apparatus = flattened membrane sacs
golgi vesicle = small membrane sac

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13
Q

describe the function of the golgi apparatus

A

-modifies protein, eg. adds carbohydrates to produce glycoproteins
-modifies lipids, eg. adds carbohydrates to make glycolipids
-packages proteins / lipids into golgi vesicles
-produces lysosomes (a type of golgi vesicle)

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14
Q

describe the function of golgi vesicles

A

-transports proteins / lipids to their required destination
-eg. moves to and fuses with cell-surface membrane

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15
Q

describe the structure of lysosomes

A

-membrane
-hydrolytic enzymes

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16
Q

describe the function of lysosomes

A

-release hydrolytic enzymes (lysozymes)
-to break down / hydrolyse pathogens or worn-out cell components

17
Q

describe the structure of mitochondria

A

-outer membrane
-cristae -inner membrane fold
-matrix containing 70s ribosomes and circular dna

18
Q

describe the function of mitochondria

A

-site of aerobic respiration
-to produce ATP for energy release
-eg. for protein synthesis / vesicle movement / active transport

19
Q

describe the structure of chloroplasts in plants and algae

A

-double membrane
-stroma containing
●thylakoid membrane
●70s ribosomes
●circular dna
●starch granules/lipid droplets
-lamella - thylakoid linking grana
-grana - stacks of thylakoid

20
Q

describe the function of chloroplasts in plants and algae

A

-absorbs light energy for photosynthesis
-to produce organic substances eg. carbohydrates / lipids

21
Q

describe the structure of the cell wall in plants, algae and fungi

A

-composed mainly of cellulose (a polysaccharide) in plants / algae
-composed of chitin (a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide) in fungi

22
Q

describe the function of the cell wall in plants, algae and fungi

A

-provides mechanical strength to cell
-so prevents cell changing shape or bursting under pressure due to osmosis

23
Q

describe the structure of the cell vacuole in plants

A

-tonoplast membrane
-cell sap

24
Q

describe the function of the cell vacuole in plants

A

-maintains turgor pressure in cell (stopping plant wilting)
-contains cell sap → stores sugars, amino acids, pigments and any waste chemicals

25
Q

describe how eukaryotic cells are organised in complex multicellular organisms

A

-specialised for specific functions
-tissue
-organ
-organ system

26
Q

define tissue

A

-group of specialised cells with a similar structure working together
to perform a specific function, often with the same origin

27
Q

define organ

A

-aggregations of tissues performing specific functions

28
Q

define organ system

A

-group of organs working together to perform specific functions

29
Q

suggest how you can apply your knowledge of cell features / organelles to
explain adaptations of eukaryotic cells

A

-general answer format:
-[Named cell] has many [named organelle, eg. ribosomes]
-to [link organelle function to cell function eg. increase rate of protein synthesis, making many antibodies]

30
Q

what are the distinguishing features of prokaryotic cells

A

-cytoplasm lacking membrane-bound organelles
-so genetic material not enclosed in a nucleus

31
Q

examples of prokaryotic cells

A

-bacteria
-archaea

32
Q

describe the general structure of prokaryotic cells

A

-cell surface membrane
-cell wall (containing murein)
-cytoplasm
-70s ribosomes
-circular DNA (free in cytoplasm and not associated with proteins)
and sometimes
-capsule
-plasmids
-flagella

33
Q

compare and contrast the structure of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

A

eukaryotic cell
-has membrane-bound organelles
-has a nucleus containing DNA
-DNA is long & linear & associated with histone proteins
-larger (80S) ribosomes (in cytoplasm)
-cell wall only in plants, algae and fungi containing cellulose or chitin
-plasmids / capsule never present (sometimes flagella)
-larger overall size

prokaryotic cell
-no membrane-bound organelles
-no nucleus DNA is is free in cytoplasm
-DNA is short & circular
& not associated with proteins
-smaller 70s ribosomes
-cell wall in all prokaryotic cells containing murein, a glycoprotein
-plasmids, flagella and a capsule sometimes present
-much smaller overall size

34
Q

explain why viruses are described as acellular and non-living

A

-acellular - not made of cells, no cell membrane / cytoplasm / organelles
-non-living - have no metabolism, cannot independently move / respire / replicate / excrete

35
Q

describe the general structure of a virus particle

A
  1. nucleic acids (RNA or DNA) surrounded by a capsid
    (protein coat)
  2. attachment proteins allow attachment to specific host cells
  3. no cytoplasm, ribosomes, cell wall, cell-surface membrane etc
  4. some also surrounded by a lipid envelope eg. HIV

A Level Biology (17 decks)

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