Cell Structure and Organisation Flashcards
what are cells?
building blocks of life
what is protoplasm?
mass of living matter consisting of cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus
what are 3 characteristics of the cell membrane?
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
what is the function of the cell membrane?
controls movement of substances in and out of the cell
what is a characteristic of the cytoplasm?
found between cell membrane and nucleus
what are the 2 functions of the cytoplasm?
1) site of cellular activities
2) contains specialised structures called organelles
what are 2 characteristics of the cell wall?
1) made up of cellulose
2) fully permeable (osmosis does not occur through cell wall)
what are the 2 functions of the cell wall?
1) provides mechanical support and protects cell from injuries
2) gives cell a fixed shape
what are 2 characteristics of the nucleus?
1) individual parts can only be seen under an electron microscope
2) cells without nucleus cannot divide
what are the 2 functions of the nucleus?
1) controls cellular activities (e.g. cell growth, reproduction, reparation of cells)
2) essential for cell division
what are the 2 characteristics of chromosomes?
1) long thread-like structure found within nucleus
2) condenses into thick, rod-shaped like structures during cell division
what is the function of chromosomes?
made up of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) which carries hereditary information
what is the function of the nuclear membrane (surround nucleus)?
separates contents of nucleus from rest of the cytoplasm
what are the 3 characteristics of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
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
what is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
transports proteins made by ribosomes to the Golgi apparatus
what are the 2 characteristics of ribosomes?
1) small round structures
2) either attached to RER or lie freely in cytoplasm