Cells Flashcards
What are cells?
Cells are the smallest units of life and are what make up organisms.
what is a unicellular organism?
an organism made with only one cell
what is a multicellular organism?
A living thing that is made up of multiple cells.
name 3 organisms that are unicellular
- yeast
- amoeba
- bacteria
What are the levels of organisation?
cells -> tissue -> organ -> organ system -> organism
What is tissue?
A group of cells that are joined together
What are some key differences between plants and animals?
The plants have a larger vacuole and animals can drink water. Plants have a cell wall which acts as the bone structure that animals have. Animals can eat food to receive their nutrients whereas plants use photosynthesis.
What does a plant cell consist of?
Cell wall, cell membrane, ribosomes, vacuole, mitochondrium, smooth er, rough er, nucleus, golgi body, chloroplast and cytoplasm.
cytoplasm/cytosol function
Jelly-like liquid that fills the cell and holds the components of the cell while protecting them from damage too.
Cell membrane function
it is the boundary of the cell
cell wall function
provides protection and strength for the cell. It allows substances to pass in and out.
nucleus function
contains DNA and controls cell activity
Chloroplast function
uses light and carbon dioxide to make sugar
mitochondrion function
Use sugar to create energy packets for the cell
Vacuole function
To store fluids, nutrients and waste
What is photosynthesis?
The process of converting water and carbon dioxide to nutrients using sunlight
Which organelle does a plant store water in? Why do they need to store water?
Vacuoles are what plants store water in so they can stay alive during dry weather or when they can’t get access to the liquid they need.
Which organelle makes a plant stand upright, rigid and strong?
Plants are able to stand upright because of an organelle called the ‘cell wall’ which gives structure to the plant like the skeletal system does for animals.
smooth er function
creates & stores lipids
rough er
synthesises proteins and sends it to Golgi Apparatus
golgi body/apparatus function
To modifies, sorts and packages protein and lipids for transport.
In multi-cellular organisms…
cells work together to perform specific functions necessary for life.
All cells are the same, TRUE OR FALSE
FALSE
What is a specialised cell?
A specialised cell has a unique structure which allows the cell to have unique functions
What are 7 specialised cells?
fat cell, intestinal lining cell, nerve cell, surface skin cell, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and sperm cells.
Why do humans need to breathe?
The cells inside a human’s body need oxygen to release energy from sugar. Without energy, cells can’t perform their essential life processes and will die.
Which specialised cell carries oxygen to parts of the body?
The red blood cell
What does the red blood cell have that helps it to do its functions?
- its red pigment is called Haemoglobin and attaches oxygen to the cell
- no nucleus, without a nucleus, there is more space in the cell to fit haemoglobin
- flattened disc shape gives the cell more surface area to absorb and release oxygen
- flexibility, allows these cells to bend and squeeze through small blood vessels.
Which specialised cell does water pass through when we drink water?
The intestines
What do the intestines have that help it to do its functions?
The intestines have villi and microvilli which help water to be absorbed easier because of the increased surface area.
Which specialised cell stores energy from food for future use?
The fat cell
Where are fat cells found?
Fat cells are found under the skin and around organs.
What do fat cells have that help with its function?
The fat cells have droplets of fat in the cytosol and these grow or shrink as it is gained or used.
