Cell Structure Flashcards
Nucleus
Control centre
Genes decide which proteins the cell makes
Cell membrane
Allows certain substances to pass through the cell
Mitochondria
Organelles that carry out respiration, provides the cell with energy
Cell wall
Made of cellulose
Allows cell to keep its shape
Vacuole
Large vesicles
Storage area for sugars and minerals
Chloroplasts
Contain chlorophyll which converts sunlight into sugars for food
Ribosomes
Tiny structures
Makes protein
Cytoplasm
Breaks down the body’s waste
Aid metabolic activity
Where chemical reactions happen
What are cells?
The basic unit of a living organism where all life processes are carried out
What do animal cells contain
Nucleus
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Mitochondria
What do plant cells contain
Cell wall Cell membrane Nucleus Cytoplasm Vacuole Chloroplasts
What are specialised cells?
Specialised cells are those which have developed certain characteristics in order to perform particular functions
What is differentiation?
A process that involves the cell gaining new structures within the cell in order for it to be suited to its function
How many times in animal cells, do cells differentiate?
Once
What are stem cells?
Undifferentiated cells
Used to divide and produce new differentiated cells within the tissue for growth and repair
What are adult stem cells used for?
Medicine as they can be directed to differentiate into several different cell types
Where are stem cells found in great numbers?
In embryonic tissue
Advantages of stem cells in medicine
Can be used to replace damaged cells (spinal chord injury)
Bone marrow transplants (adult stem cell transplant) - treat leukaemia
Whole organs could be grown for transplants without the need to find a donor
Disadvantages of stem cells in medicine
Immoral to destroy a human life
Mutations can occur in stem cells
Difficulties in finding suitable stem cell donors
It is impossible to obtain embryonic stem cells from a patient as they have to be collected before birth
Embryonic stem cells
Made form blastocysts
Can become all cell types
Adult stem cells
Limited to differentiating
