Cell Structure Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is the basis structural unit of all living organisms?

A

Cells are the basic structural unit of all living organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the cell theory?

A

-All organisms are made of cells.
-All existing cells come from pre-existing cells.
-The cell is the most basic unit of life.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the exceptions to the theory?

A
  • Striated muscle fibres
    -Aseptate fungal hyphae
    Giant algae.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Why are optical light microscopes an invaluable tool?

A

Optical (light) microscopes are an invaluable tool for scientists as they allow for tissues, cells and organelles to be seen and studied

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How do optical light microscopes work?

A

-Light is directed through the thin layer of biological material that is supported on a glass slide
-This light is focused through several lenses so that an image is visible through the eyepiece
-The magnifying power of the microscope can be increased by rotating the higher power objective lens into place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the key components of an optical light microscope?

A

The eyepiece lens
The objective lenses
The stage
The light source
The coarse and fine focus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the formula for magnification?

A

magnification: image/drawing size : actual size.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the common unifying features of ALL cells?

A

-DNA as genetic material
-cytoplasm
-Plasma membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How does the DNA differ between eukaryotes and prokaryotes?

A

All living cells contain some sort of DNA, this varies between eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does the presence of DNA mean in a cell?

A

The presence of DNA means that a new cell can be formed from an old cell, as genetic material is able to be stored and transferred

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What else does DNA control in the cell?

A

DNA also controls the production of enzymes and other vital proteins within the cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the cytoplasm composed of?

A

It is composed of mainly water with dissolved substances, such as ions
The fluid is known as cytosol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What occurs in the cytoplasm?

A

Important chemical reactions occur in the cytoplasm.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Where is the cytoplasm found?

A

Cytoplasm is found within the boundary of a cell.
It is enclosed by a plasma membrane composed of lipids.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Where is the plasma membrane found in a cell?

A

The plasma membrane surrounds the cell and encloses all the cell contents.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How is the plasma membrane composed?

A

In all cell types, the plasma membrane has two layers and this is called a bilayer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does the bilayer consist of?

A

The bilayer consists of lipids; these vary depending on the type of organism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the membrane responsible for?

A

For controlling the interactions of the cell’s interior with the exterior
-Needed materials are transported into the cell interior
-Waste substances are exported out of the cell to the surrounding environment

19
Q

What functions do the proteins have that are studded on the membrane?

A

Cell recognition
Cell communication
Transport into and out of the cell

20
Q

What are prokaryotes?

A

Prokaryotes have the simplest cell structure, being the first organisms to evolve on Earth and have been classified into two domains.

21
Q

What structure do prokaryotes not have?

A

Prokaryotes do not have a nucleus.

22
Q

What does the structure of a prokaryote lack?

A

Prokaryotes have a simple cell structure and lack compartmentalisation (not divided into compartments). it lacks membrane-bound organelles

23
Q

What structures are common to prokaryotes?

A

70S ribosomes
DNA in a loop
Cytoplasm
Plasma membrane
Cell wall

24
Q

What is the difference between the ribosomes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

A

Ribosomes in prokaryotes are 70S because they are much smaller. Ribosomes in eukaryotes are much larger and knows as 80S.

25
Q

What two domains have prokaryotes been classified in:

A

-Bacteria includes commonly known bacteria such as E.coli and Helicobacter.
-Archaebacteria or Archaea - typically found in extreme environments such as high temperatures and salt concentrations and include methanogens (organisms that exist in anaerobic conditions and produce methane gas)

26
Q

What is the function of prokaryotic ribosomes (70S)?

A

The binding and reading of MRNA during translation to produce proteins.

27
Q

Where is the genetic material of a prokaryote located?

A

Although prokaryotes do not have a nucleus, they do have genetic material in the form of a singular circular DNA molecule located in the nucleoid and in smaller loops called plasmids.

28
Q

What are plasmids in prokaryotes?

A

Plasmids are small loops of DNA that are separate from the main circular DNA molecule.

29
Q

What do plasmids in prokaryotes contain?

A

Plasmids contain genes that can be passed between prokaryotes.

30
Q

What is found in the cytoplasm of a prokaryote?

A

The cytoplasm is the site where the 70S ribosomes are found in a prokaryote.

31
Q

What occurs in the cytoplasm of a prokaryote?

A

It is the site of many cellular reactions.

32
Q

What is a major component of the cytoplasm of a prokaryote?

A

A major component is a gel-like cytosol, a water-based solution that contains ions, small molecules and macromolecules.

33
Q

What is the cell membrane of prokaryotes composed of?

A

A lipid bilayer.

34
Q

What do a group of prokaryotes (archaea) have their plasma membrane formed as?

A

An archaea have their plasma membrane formed as a monolayer as opposed to a bilayer.

35
Q

What is the role of the plasma membrane?

A

To control substances entering and exiting the cell.

36
Q

What does the cell wall of most prokaryotes contain?

A

a cell wall containing murein/ peptidoglycan (glycoprotein).

37
Q

What does the cell wall do in a prokaryote?

A

It acts as protection, maintaining the shape of the cell and preventing it from bursting.

38
Q

How does the cell wall of prokaryotes (bacteria) allow us to classify them?

A

-ability to retain a dye called crystal violet classifies a group of bacteria as gran positive, they appear blue/violet after exposure to the dye.
-bacteria that does not react with the dye are Gran negative bacteria.

39
Q

What are examples of gran positive bacteria?

A

Examples of gram positive bacteria are Bacillus and Staphylococcus.

40
Q

What are the structures that only some prokaryotic cells have that differentiate the species and act as a selective advantage?

A

-Plasmids
-Capsules
-Flagellum
-Pili

41
Q

What is a capsule?

A

Some prokaryotes are surrounded by a final outer later known as a capsule.
-Helps to protect bacteria from drying out and from attack by cells of the immune system fo the host organism.

42
Q

What is a flagellum?

A

Long, tail-like structures that rotate, enabling the prokaryote to move.

43
Q

What are pili?

A

Shorter and thinner structures than flagella.
They assist with movement, avoidance of attack by white blood cells, conjugation and are commonly used to allow bacteria to adhere to surfaces.