Cells Flashcards
Which stain is used to stain acidic things blue?
Haematoxylin
Which stain is used to stain alkaline things pink?
Eosin
Which parts of the cell does haematoxylin stain blue?
Cell nuclei and RNA
Which parts of the cell does eosin stain pink?
Cytoplasm and. colloidal proteins
Which parts of the cell does eosin stain orange/red?
Keratin
Does fat stain?
No
Name some structures that alcian blue stains blue.
- Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) rich structures e.g. connective tissue
- Goblet cells
- Mast cell granules
- Cartilage matrix
Which structures does iron haematoxylin stain black?
Nuclei and elastic fibres
What colour does periodic acid schiff stain magenta?
Hexose sugars
What is the function of the nucleus?
- Brain of the cell
2. Houses DNA as chromatin within the nucleolus
Is the nucleus double membraned?
Yes
What is the function of the mitochondria?
Site of oxidative phosphorylation
Is the mitochondria doubled membraned?
Yes, the inner membrane is highly folded
What are the functions of the outer and inner membranes of the mitochondria?
Outer membrane: Lipid synthesis, fatty acid metabolism
Inner membrane: Electron transport, ATP production
What is the function of the matrix of the mitochondria?
Site of Tricarboxylic acid cycle (Kreb’s)
What is the function of the intramembranous space of the mitochondria?
Site of nucleotide phosphorylation (ADP to ATP)
What is the function of the RER?
Site of protein synthesis
What is the function of the SER?
- Site of membrane lipid synthesis
2. Processes and stores synthesised proteins
What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?
Processes and modifies macromolecules
Name the 3 parts of the Golgi apparatus.
Cis golgi - protein phosphorylation
Medial golgi - adds sugars to products
Trans golgi - proteolysis of peptides into active forms
What is the function of vesicles?
Transport and store material
Which vesicles contain digestive enzymes?
Lysosomes
Which process are peroxisomes used for?
Beta oxidation. Fatty acids are broken down into carbon fragments used for generating ATP
What is the function of the cytoskeleton?
Brace internal structure of cell. Maintains shape and internal organisation
What are microfilaments made of?
Actin
What are microtubules made of?
Tubulin
Which storage molecule has an orange-brown pigment and is common in the heart and liver?
Lipofuscin
Where is lipid stored?
Adipocytes and liver
Where is glycogen stored?
Liver and muscles
What is the phospholipid bilayer of cell membranes made up of?
Glycolipids: Communication
Glycoproteins: Cell to cell recognition + act as receptors
Cholesterol: Maintains fluidity in membrane
What is the function of the cell surface membrane?
- Acts as a selective barrier to the passage of molecules.
2. Acts as a barrier to the outside environment
What is the function of an adherens junction?
Joins actin bundles in one cell to another cell, keeping cells together
How do intermediate filaments enable cell to cell adhesion?
Via desmosomes
What do hemidesmosomes do?
Anchor intermediate filaments in a cell to the basal lamina
Which energetic process engulfs molecules into a cell?
Endocytosis
Which cells implement phagocytosis?
Neutrophils and macrophages
How does exocytosis work?
Vesicles from the Golgi apparatus fuse with the cell surface membrane. Expulsion of waste/enzymes/hormones.
What is facilitated diffusion?
Movement of solutes from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration through protein channels.
What is passive diffusion?
Movement of a substance from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration, down the concentration gradient.
What is active transport?
Movement of solutes from a region of low concentration to a region of high concentration against the concentration gradient. ATP is required.
What do tyrosine kinase receptors do?
Transfers a phosphate group from ATP to a protein in the cell. Acts as an on/off switch.
