cells Flashcards
What is the basic structure of a plasma membrane?
It consists of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins, allowing selective transport of substances.
What is the main function of the nucleus?
The nucleus contains genetic material (DNA) and controls the cell’s activities, including replication and transcription.
What are mitochondria responsible for?
Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration and ATP production.
Where does photosynthesis occur in plant cells?
Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, specifically in the thylakoids for light-dependent reactions and the stroma for light-independent reactions.
What are ribosomes responsible for?
Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis, translating mRNA into polypeptides.
What is the difference between rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
Rough ER is covered with ribosomes and synthesizes proteins, while smooth ER synthesizes lipids and steroids.
What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?
The Golgi apparatus modifies, packages, and transports proteins and lipids from the ER into vesicles.
What do lysosomes do?
Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris.
What is the role of the cell wall in plant cells?
The cell wall provides structural support and prevents the cell from bursting under osmotic pressure.
What is the function of the vacuole in plant cells?
The vacuole stores nutrients and waste products and helps maintain turgor pressure.
What is binary fission?
Binary fission is the process by which prokaryotic cells divide to form two genetically identical daughter cells.
How is mitosis different from meiosis?
Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells, while meiosis produces four genetically varied haploid cells.
What is the purpose of mitosis?
Mitosis is for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction in eukaryotic cells.
What are homologous chromosomes?
Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent, with the same genes but possibly different alleles.
Describe the structure of the phospholipid bilayer.
It has hydrophilic phosphate heads facing outward and hydrophobic fatty acid tails facing inward, forming a barrier to water-soluble substances.
What is the role of channel proteins in the membrane?
Channel proteins facilitate the transport of charged or polar molecules across the cell membrane.
What is facilitated diffusion?
Facilitated diffusion is the passive movement of molecules across the membrane via specific carrier or channel proteins.
How does active transport differ from passive transport?
Active transport requires energy (ATP) to move molecules against a concentration gradient, while passive transport moves molecules down a concentration gradient without energy.
What is osmosis?
Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from a region of higher water potential to lower water potential.
What are the steps of cell fractionation?
- Homogenisation of cells, 2. Filtration to remove debris, 3. Ultracentrifugation to separate organelles based on density.
What is the mitotic index?
The mitotic index is the ratio of cells undergoing mitosis to the total number of cells in a sample.
What is the importance of cholesterol in membranes?
Cholesterol regulates membrane fluidity, making it more stable and less permeable to very small molecules.
How do temperature and ethanol affect membrane permeability?
Higher temperatures and ethanol increase membrane fluidity, disrupting the phospholipid bilayer and increasing permeability.
What is co-transport?
Co-transport involves the coupled transport of two molecules across the membrane via a carrier protein, one moving down its concentration gradient driving the movement of another against its gradient.
What is antigenic variability?
Antigenic variability is the ability of pathogens to alter their surface antigens to evade detection by the immune system.
What is the role of T cells in the immune response?
T cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity, with helper T cells activating other immune cells and cytotoxic T cells killing infected or cancerous cells.
What is the role of B cells in the immune response?
B cells are involved in humoral immunity, producing specific antibodies against pathogens.
What is the fluid mosaic model?
The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of the cell membrane, where proteins float in or on the fluid phospholipid bilayer.
What is the difference between TEM and SEM?
Transmission electron microscopes (TEM) provide 2D images of internal structures, while scanning electron microscopes (SEM) give 3D images of surface structures.
What is apoptosis?
Apoptosis is programmed cell death, preventing the division of damaged cells, which could lead to cancer.
What is the role of the nucleolus?
The nucleolus is responsible for producing ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and assembling ribosomes.
What is the structure and function of the nuclear envelope?
The nuclear envelope is a double membrane with pores that controls the passage of materials between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
What is the function of the cristae in mitochondria?
Cristae increase the surface area for enzymes involved in ATP production during aerobic respiration.
What are thylakoids and their function?
Thylakoids are membrane-bound compartments inside chloroplasts, where light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur.
What is the stroma in chloroplasts?
The stroma is the fluid-filled space in chloroplasts where light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) take place.
What is the role of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?
The SER synthesizes lipids, steroids, and carbohydrates and is involved in detoxification.
What are lysosomes and their role in cell digestion?
Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles containing hydrolytic enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris.
What is the function of plasmodesmata in plant cells?
Plasmodesmata are channels between plant cells that allow the transport of materials and communication between adjacent cells.
What is the function of vacuoles in animal cells?
In animal cells, vacuoles are small and temporary, often involved in the storage or transport of substances.
What is the tonoplast?
The tonoplast is the membrane surrounding the central vacuole in plant cells, controlling the exchange of substances.
What is a key function of the plant cell wall?
The plant cell wall provides structural support and prevents the cell from bursting due to osmotic pressure.
What is the function of 70S ribosomes in prokaryotes?
70S ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis in prokaryotic cells.
What is the role of the capsule in prokaryotic cells?
The capsule provides protection against desiccation and helps prokaryotic cells evade the host immune system.
How do viruses replicate inside host cells?
Viruses attach to host cells, inject their genetic material, and use the host’s machinery to replicate viral components.
What is a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles, such as a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles.
What is the resolution of a microscope?
Resolution is the ability to distinguish two points as separate entities in a microscopic image.
What is the difference between magnification and resolution?
Magnification refers to how much larger an image is compared to the actual object, while resolution refers to the clarity of detail in the image.
How does a transmission electron microscope (TEM) work?
TEM passes a beam of electrons through a thin specimen, providing detailed images of the internal structures of cells in 2D.
How does a scanning electron microscope (SEM) work?
SEM scans a beam of electrons across the surface of a specimen to produce detailed 3D images of the surface structure.
What is cell fractionation?
Cell fractionation is the process of breaking open cells and separating organelles by size and density through centrifugation.
What is homogenization in cell fractionation?
Homogenization is the breaking open of cells, often using a blender, to release organelles.
What is the purpose of ultracentrifugation?
Ultracentrifugation is used to separate cell components by spinning samples at high speeds, causing the heaviest organelles to form pellets.
What are the steps of mitosis?
The steps of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
What happens during prophase in mitosis?
During prophase, chromosomes condense, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and spindle fibers form.
What happens during metaphase in mitosis?
In metaphase, chromosomes align along the metaphase plate, attached to spindle fibers by their centromeres.
What happens during anaphase in mitosis?
In anaphase, sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell by spindle fibers.
What happens during telophase in mitosis?
During telophase, the nuclear envelope reforms around separated chromosomes, which begin to uncoil.
What is cytokinesis?
Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm, resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells.
What is the mitotic index formula?
The mitotic index is calculated as: (Number of cells in mitosis / Total number of cells) x 100.
What is the significance of a high mitotic index?
A high mitotic index indicates active cell division, which can be a sign of tissue growth or cancer.
How do cancer treatments target the cell cycle?
Cancer treatments often disrupt the cell cycle by inhibiting DNA replication, mitosis, or spindle fiber formation, slowing tumor growth.
What is binary fission?
Binary fission is the process of prokaryotic cell division, where the circular DNA replicates and the cell splits into two daughter cells.
How is ATP used in active transport?
ATP provides energy to carrier proteins, allowing them to move molecules against a concentration gradient.
What is the role of carrier proteins in active transport?
Carrier proteins change shape to transport specific molecules across membranes using energy from ATP.
What is co-transport?
Co-transport is the simultaneous transport of two molecules through a membrane, with one moving down its concentration gradient to drive the other against its gradient.