Cell Structure and Organisation Flashcards

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1
Q

what are cells?

A

building blocks of life

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2
Q

what is protoplasm?

A

mass of living matter consisting of cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus

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3
Q

what are 3 characteristics of the cell membrane?

A

1) surrounds cytoplasm
2) partially permeable, allows only small soluble substances to pass through (becomes more permeable upon heating)
3) primarily made up of phospholipids (lipid bilayer) and proteins

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4
Q

what is the function of the cell membrane?

A

controls movement of substances in and out of the cell

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5
Q

what is a characteristic of the cytoplasm?

A

found between cell membrane and nucleus

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6
Q

what are the 2 functions of the cytoplasm?

A

1) site of cellular activities
2) contains specialised structures called organelles

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7
Q

what are 2 characteristics of the cell wall?

A

1) made up of cellulose
2) fully permeable (osmosis does not occur through cell wall)

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8
Q

what are the 2 functions of the cell wall?

A

1) provides mechanical support and protects cell from injuries
2) gives cell a fixed shape

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9
Q

what are 2 characteristics of the nucleus?

A

1) individual parts can only be seen under an electron microscope
2) cells without nucleus cannot divide

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10
Q

what are the 2 functions of the nucleus?

A

1) controls cellular activities (e.g. cell growth, reproduction, reparation of cells)
2) essential for cell division

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11
Q

what are the 2 characteristics of chromosomes?

A

1) long thread-like structure found within nucleus
2) condenses into thick, rod-shaped like structures during cell division

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12
Q

what is the function of chromosomes?

A

made up of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) which carries hereditary information

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13
Q

what is the function of the nuclear membrane (surround nucleus)?

A

separates contents of nucleus from rest of the cytoplasm

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14
Q

what are the 3 characteristics of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?

A

1) network of flattened spaces lined with membrane (filled with fluid)
2) outer surface is continuous with nuclear envelope
3) rough surface due to ribosomes studded on surface

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15
Q

what is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?

A

transports proteins made by ribosomes to the Golgi apparatus

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16
Q

what are the 2 characteristics of ribosomes?

A

1) small round structures
2) either attached to RER or lie freely in cytoplasm

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17
Q

what is the function of ribosomes?

A

synthesise proteins

*those attached to RER usually make proteins transported out of cell
*those lying freely in cytoplasm make proteins used within cell

18
Q

what is the characteristic of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?

A

more tubular than RER and no ribosomes attached to surface

19
Q

what are the 3 functions of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?

A

1) synthesises lipids and steroids
2) involved in detoxification
3) gives rise to Golgi bodies

20
Q

what is the characteristic of the Golgi apparatus/body?

A

consists of flattened spaces surrounded by membranes

21
Q

what are the 2 functions of the Golgi apparatus/body?

A

1) chemically modifies ER products
2) stores and packages substances in vesicles for secretion out of cell

22
Q

what is the characteristic of the mitochondria?

A

oval/sausage-shaped organelles

23
Q

what is the function of the mitochondria?

A

release energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during cellular respiration for growth, cell division and active transport

24
Q

what is the characteristic of chloroplasts?

A

oval structures in plant cells

25
Q

what is the function of chloroplasts?

A

contains green photosynthetic pigments called chlorophyll required to trap sunlight for photosynthesis to occur

26
Q

what is the characteristic of a vacuole?

A

fluid-filled space (cell sap) surrounded by a partially permeable membrane (tonoplast)

27
Q

what is the function of a vacuole?

A

store substances within cell

28
Q

what is the difference between vacuole(s) in plant and animal cells?

A

plant cells: one large central vacuole consisting of substances such as water, sugars, mineral salts, amino acids (cell sap)

animal cells: numerous small temporary vacuoles that store water and food substances

29
Q

what are 3 differences between plant and animal cells?

A

plant cells:
1) have cell wall
2) have a large central vacuole
3) have chloroplasts

animal cells:
1) no cell wall
2) numerous small temporary vacuoles
3) no chloroplasts

30
Q

what is differentiation?

A

process by which a cell becomes specialised for a specific function

31
Q

what are 4 adaptations of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?

A

1) contains haemoglobin
2) circular biconcave shape
3) absence of nucleus (enucleate)
4) flexible

32
Q

why do red blood cells contain haemoglobin?

A

binds to oxygen and transports it around the body

33
Q

why do red blood cells have a circular biconcave shape?

A

(because it is enucleate) increases surface-area-to-volume ratio for an increased rate of oxygen absorption and release

34
Q

why are red blood cells enucleate?

A

allows for packing of more haemoglobin for transport of oxygen around the body

*however, cell division cannot occur

35
Q

why are red blood cells flexible?

A

to easily squeeze through capillaries

36
Q

what are 3 adaptations of muscle cells (myocytes)?

A

1) contain numerous mitochondria
2) has contractile protein fibres
3) have many nuclei

37
Q

why do muscle cells contain numerous mitochondria?

A

provide energy for contraction of muscle cell

38
Q

why do muscle cells have contractile protein fibres?

A

they contract and relax to bring about movement

39
Q

why do muscle cells have many nuclei?

A

to allow for cell division

40
Q

what are 2 adaptations of root hair cells?

A

1) long and narrow elongation
2) maintains lower water potential in vacuole (as cell sap is very concentrated)

41
Q

why do root hair cells have a long and narrow elongation?

A

increases surface-area-to-volume ratio for an increased rate of absorption of water and mineral salts

42
Q

why do root hair cells maintain lower water potential in their vacuole?

A

allows water to enter the cell via osmosis