Cell: Unit of Life Flashcards
Nucleus: discovered by
Robert Brown
Nucleus: functions
- carrying genetic information from one cell generation to the next
- controls all metabolic activies of the cell by controlling the synthesis of enzymes
Chromosomes: discovered by
Strasburger
Chromosomes: term coined by
Waldeyer
Centromere
Primary constriction seen on a chromosome
Karyotype
The group of characteristics that identifies a particular chromosome set
Mitochondria: discovered by
Kolliker
Why are mitochondria called the powerhouse of the cell?
- Their primary function is the conversion and transfer of cellular energy
- They have the capacity of converting the potential energy of various food materials into the form of energy that can be used by cells to carry out various activities
Plastids (classify based on colour)
- Chloroplasts- green
- Leucoplasts- colourless
- Chromoplasts- coloured
Leucoplasts- functions
function as storage organelles and
store starch- amyloplasts
store oil- elaioplasts
store proteins- aleuroplasts
Chromoplasts
Plastids that mainly store carotenoids are called chromoplasts. They are found in flowers and fruits.
Chloroplasts- function
- Contain the green pigment chlorophyll which helps in the production of chemical energy by the process of photosynthesis.
- Contain quantosomes on the inner surface of the lamellar membrane which absorb a mole quantum of light
Structural and functional unit of chloroplasts
Quantosomes
Endomembrane structures
4 structures are collectively called the endomembrane structures because they form the endoskeleton of the cell:
1. Endoplasmic reticulum
2. Golgi apparatus
3. Lysosomes
4. Vacuoles
Two types of endoplasmic reticulum
- Rough endoplasmic reticulum-
- protein synthesis and transport
- ribosomes lie on the outer border of its membrane - Smooth endoplasmic reticulum-
- synthesis of glycolipids
- devoid of ribosomes
Golgi complex: discovered by
Camillo Golgi