cells Flashcards
What are the key concepts for understanding cell physiology?
Organisation, general functions, specialisation, structure, and protein expression.
Why does the level of organisation matter in biology?
It affects what job a system can do and how it performs its function
What is the function of organelles?
Work together to help the cell do its job.
What are cells specialized for?
Specific functions such as signaling, movement, or absorption.
What is a tissue?
A group of tightly bound cells doing a particular job, often with junctions to prevent bacterial entry.
What defines an organ?
Multiple tissues organized to do a broader function (e.g., brain processes information).
What is an organ system?
A set of organs working together (e.g., gut + stomach for digestion).
What is an organism in terms of organisation?
All systems working together (e.g., brain and cardiovascular system to keep neurons functioning).
Name 5 jobs that cells can do
Detect, signal, digest/absorb/transport, fight infections, move
What are 5 key cellular processes?
- Make things (e.g. proteins, DNA, ATP)
- Break things down (e.g. glucose)
- Change membrane voltage
- Secrete/transport molecules
- Detect stimuli (e.g. light, sound, calcium)
What is the function of the cell membrane?
Defines the cell; separates inside from outside. Thin coat of phospholipids that surrounds a cell and controls what enters and exits the cell.
What is in the cytoplasm?
Material inside the cell membrane, including watery cytosol and other cell structures except the nucleus, if one is present. Organelles and cytosol with water, ions, glucose, amino acids, and soluble proteins.
What does the cytoskeleton do?
Maintains cell shape and structure. Consists of filaments and tubules that crisscross the cytoplasm and help maintain the cells shape.
What is the function of the nucleus?
Controls gene expression and protein production. Organelle that contains most of the cell’s DNA and acts as the control center of the cell
What is DNA?
Nucleic acid found in cells. Contains genetic instructions that cells need to make proteins
What do ribosomes do?
Make proteins from amino acid chains based on DNA instructions. Structures in all cells that are the site of protein synthesis.
What are proteins?
Chain of amino acids, stuck together by coded DNA. Key players in how cells do the things they do e.g. antibodies, structural proteins (collagen), enzymes e.g. ATP synthetase etc.
What does the endoplasmic reticulum do?
Synthesizes proteins and lipids (especially the rough ER). Helps transport proteins in the cell.
What is the Golgi apparatus responsible for?
Modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion out of the cell or for use within the cell
What do lysosomes do?
Break down waste and damaged cell parts so their components can be recycled
What is the role of mitochondria?
Produce ATP (cell energy) and heat.
List 5 functions of ATP in cells.
- Drives chemical reactions
- Powers muscle contraction
- Moves molecules against gradients
- Transports proteins/organelles
- Generates heat
What are the main parts of a neuron?
Dendrites, cell body (soma), and axon.
What do dendrites do?
Receive information from other cells
