Cell structure Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the cytosol ?

A

It is the aqueous environment inside of the cell.

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2
Q

What is the cytoplasm ?

A

It refers to both the cytosol and the organelles in the cytosol.

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3
Q

What are the some of the propreties of prokaryotic cells ?

A

Smaller than eukaryotic cells (so large surface area to volume ratio)
No membrane-bound organelles
No nucleus
They generally reproduce asexually

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4
Q

Of what is made a prokaryotic cell ?

A
Ribosomes
Plasmids
Nucleoid
Cell wall
Flagellum
Pilus
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5
Q

What are ribosomes ?

A

The molecular machine that convert RNA into protein through translation.

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6
Q

Of what are made ribosomes ?

A

It is made of a specific mixture of proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

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7
Q

What is the large dsDNA molecue in bacteria cells ?

A

It is the large, complete set of genes (chromosomes and proteins) of the bacteria. It folds up on itself to form the nucleoid.

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8
Q

What are the plasmids ?

A

They are additional small circular dsDNA molecules that some bacterias have. Plasmids contain additional genetc information that can be transfered to other bacteria through the pilus.

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9
Q

Of what is made the cell wall ?

A

It is composed of peptidoglycan.

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10
Q

What is the function of the cell wall ?

A

It is a defensive layer that protects the prokaryotic cell from outside materail (it is outside the cell membrane).

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11
Q

What do prokaryotic cells have to move ?

A

They have a flaggelum that whips around its protuding part and pilus.

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12
Q

What are the advantage of compartmentalization within an eukaryotic cell ?

A

Each compartment can have a specific microenvironment (different concentrations, pH,…)

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13
Q

What is the nucleus ?

A

It is a membrane-bound organelle that stores and protects the DNA of a cell. It also produces mRNA and rRNA.

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14
Q

What is the nuclear envelope ?

A

It is the double- membrane surrounding the nucleus.

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15
Q

What is the nucleolus ?

A

A specific region within the nucleus where rRNA is produced.

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16
Q

How is messenger RNA produced ?

A

mRNA is produced by recopying regions of DNA in a short term format.

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17
Q

Of what is composed the endomembrane system ?

A
the nucleus
the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
the Golgi apparatus
Vacuoles
Lysosomes
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18
Q

How is called the inside of the endoplasmic reticulum ?

A

It is called “Lumen”

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19
Q

What does smooth ER ?

A

It focuses on the formation and the maturation of lipids. such as steroids and phospholipids. It can also help develop certain polysaccharides.

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20
Q

Whaat does rough ER ?

A

It produces new proteins. Many ribosomes are bound to it.

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21
Q

What is the function of the Golgi apparatus ?

A

It is the sorting center of various proteins and lipids. it also futher modifies proteins and lipids.

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22
Q

What does the lysosome ?

A

It helps to destroy the cell or other paricules. It has a pH of 5.

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23
Q

Of what is made the lysosome ?

A

It is made of special enzymes, specifically lipases, proteases, nucleases and carbohydrases.

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24
Q

What are vacuoles ?

A

They are large membrane-bound sacs that can contain a variety of substances.

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25
Q

What are central vacuoles ?

A

Vacuoles that contain water.

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26
Q

What are food vacuoles ?

A

Vacuoles that contain the particles taken up by the cell through endocytosis.

27
Q

What are contractile vacuoles ?

A

Vacuoles that can pump water out of a cell.

28
Q

What can the Golgi apparatus send proteins and lipids to ?

A

It can send proteins and lipids to vacuoles, to the lysosome or to the cell membrane.

29
Q

What are peroxisomes ?

A

An organelle that contains special enzymes to break down hydrogen peroxyde or degrade other chemicals such as alchool.

30
Q

Where are found cells with the most peroxisomes ?

A

In the liver and the kidney.

31
Q

What is the mitochondria ?

A

A organelle with a double-membrane that synthesises ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The mitochondria also contains circular DNA and RNA.

32
Q

By what process is the ATP within the mitochondria produced ?

A

By respiration. It is in the mitochondria that the respiration reaction is performed.

33
Q

What cells have the most mitochondria ?

A

Cells that need the most energy (there is a tight correlation between the number of mitochondria and the energy needs of a cell).

34
Q

What are the chloroplasts ?

A

Organelles with a double-membrane and the thylakoid space. It is where photosynthesis is performed. It also contains circular DNA and RNA.

35
Q

Where are found chloroplasts ?

A

Only in plant and plant-like protists cellss.

36
Q

What are the thykaloids?

A

Further compartment within the thykaloid space that have a third phospholipid bilayer (the first two form the membrane).

37
Q

What is chlorophyll ?

A

A specialised molecule that allows the capture of light. It is also what gives plants their green color.

38
Q

What is a symbiotic relationship ?

A

A relationship in which noth participants benefit.

39
Q

How is the relationship between the mitochondria / chloroplast and the cell called ?

A

An endosymbiotic relasioship.

40
Q

What is the cytoskeleton ?

A

A set of structural biomolecules within a cell, more specifically microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments.

41
Q

What are microtubules ?

A

Long hollow tubes that are composed of alpha-tubulin and beta-tubulin (which are proteins).

42
Q

Where are microtubules found ?

A

In the flaggelum of eukaryotic cells, the cilia and within the cell. It acts as a “highway”.

43
Q

What are the two motor proteins that move along microtubules ?

A

kinesins (moves towards positive) and dyneins (moves towards negative).

44
Q

What is the centrosome ?

A

A pair of tube-like structures composed of 9 triplets of microtubules.

45
Q

Of what are microfilaments made ?

A

They are made of actin (a protein).

46
Q

What motor protein moves along microfilaments ?

A

Myosin which only moves towards positive.

47
Q

What are microvilli ?

A

Small “hairs” that increasde the surface area of the cell, thus allowing a greater absorption of nutrients accross the cell membrane.

48
Q

How is called the simultaneous removal and growth of actin (for microfilaments) or tubulin (for microtubules) ?

A

It is called dynamic instability.

49
Q

Of what are motor proteins responsible for ?

A

They are responsible for vesicular transpost (the movement of vesicles or even organelles within the cell.

50
Q

How do motor proteins move ?

A

By “walking”. They use ATP to change the position of their “feet”.

51
Q

What is the cytoplasmic streaming ?

A

A flow in the cytosol caused by the movement of motor proteins. It can help motor proteins to push vesicles and organelles along.

52
Q

Of what is responsible the movement of myosin along micofilaments ?

A

it is responsible for muscle contraction.

53
Q

What are propreties of intermediate filamentss ?

A

They are “in between” sized
They are structural proteins
They do not demonstrate dynamic instability
THey are not made of a specific protein

54
Q

What does intermediate filaments ?

A

They provide structural support to the cell, especially the nucleus.

55
Q

What is one of the most important roles of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of animal cells?

A

It is for the ECM proteins to provide a form of anchoring for the different cells (to hold them in place).

56
Q

What are proteoglycans ?

A

A “mixture” of sugars and proteins that capture and retain water.

57
Q

What is collagen ?

A

A strong hellical protein .

58
Q

What is elastin ?

A

A loose protein that gives elasticity to the skin, the intestines and the lungs.

59
Q

What are integrins ?

A

Integral membrane proteins.

60
Q

What are fibronectins?

A

Peripheral membrane proteins that connect integrins to other ECM components.

61
Q

How are called the points of contact between two cells ?

A

Junctions

62
Q

What are demosomes ?

A

Junctions where two cells connect at a SPECIFIC point of contact thanks to their cadherins (which are integral membrane proteins).

63
Q

What are tight junctions ?

A

Junctions that are in contact along a LARGE surface of two cells.

64
Q

What are gap junctions ?

A

Junctions that form when two cannels (one on each cell) connect. The channels are integral membrane proteins.