Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

AQA Biology A level > Cells > Flashcards

Cells Flashcards

(55 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is cell fractionation?

A

Process where cells are broken up and organelles are separated out of the cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the conditions needed for cell fractionation to take place?

A
  • Cold: to rescue enzyme activity that could break down organelles
  • Same water potential as the solution: to prevent organelles from bursting/shrinking due to osmosis
  • Buffered: so pH does not change which could change the structure of organelles/functioning of enzymes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the steps of cell fractionation?

A
  1. Homogenisation: Breaks up plasma membrane and releases organelles
  2. Filtration: Solution is filtered through a gauze which separates large cell debris from organelles. As organelles are smaller than the debris, they pass through the gauze.
  3. Centrifugation: Centrifugal force causes the most dense organelles to form a pellet at the bottom of the tube. Speed increases to remove the supernatant and leave pellets behind
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the order of organelle size?

A 
Largest: 
Nucleus 
Chloroplast 
Mitochondria 
Lysosome
Rough Endoplasmic reticulum 
Ribosomes
Smallest
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the equation for magnification?

A

Image size / actual size

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is resolution and magnification?

A

Resolution -resolving power- ability to distinguish between two objects

Magnification- How many times bigger the image is compared to the actual object

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the comparisons between electron and light microscopes?

A

Electron microscopes have a short wavelength compared to light therefore a higher resolving power
Electrons are negatively charged so beam can be focused using electromagnets
Electron microscopes have a higher magnification
Light microscopes can be used to view living things whereas optical cant
Light microscopes are cheaper/easier to use compared to electron
Electron microscopes have to be in a vacuum, light microscopes do not

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the max magnification and revolution of a light microscope?

A

x1500 + 200nm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the max magnification and revolution of an electron microscope?

A

x1500000 + 0.1-0.2nm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the differences between SEM and TEM?

A

TEM
Beam passes through specimen
Produces 2D image

SEM
Beam is on the surface of the specimen from above
Produces a 3D image
Lower resolution than TEM

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is an eyepiece graticule?

A

Glass disk placed in the lens of microscope which has as scale on - usually 10mm long and has 100 sub divisions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What needs to be done before using an eyepiece graticule? + how is this done?

A

Calibrated for a particular lens:
Using a stage micrometer (special slide), this is usually 2mm long and has small division of 0.01 mm
Eyepiece graticule and micrometer need to be lined up to calculate the length of the divisions on the eyepiece graticule

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the structure of the nucleus?

A

Nuclear envelope: Double membrane which controls the entry/exit of materials in the nucleus and the reactions

Nuclear pores: Allow the passage of large molecules like mRNA

Nucleolus: creates rRNA + assembles ribosomes

Chromosomes: contains protein bound, linear DNA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the function of the nucleus?

A

Controls all activities in the cell
Produces mRNA and tRNA for protein synthesis
Contains DNA
Produces rRNA + ribosomes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the function of the mitochondria?

A

Produces ATP and transfers energy from respiration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the structure of mitochondria?

A

Double membrane- inner membrane is invaginated which forms cristae
Cristae- gives a large surface area for respiration
Matrix- contains proteins, lipids, ribosomes, DNA to control production of proteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the function of chloroplasts?

A

Carry out photosynthesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the structure of chloroplasts?

A

Double membrane
Grana- stacks of disc like structures called thylakoids, where chlorophyll is stored
Stroma- location of starch grains and a fluid filled matrix

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the function of rough endoplasmic reticulum?

A

Provides a large surface area for synthesis of glycoproteins/proteins
Provides a pathway for material transport like proteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the structure of rough endoplasmic reticulum?

A

Has ribosomes on outer surface

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the function of smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

A

Synthesises, stores and transports lipids/carbohydrates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the structure of smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

A

No ribosomes/more tubular than RER

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the structure of Golgi apparatus?

Study These Flashcards
A

Like a wifi sign, has many circular vesicle structures surrounding it
Has cisternae- flattened membrane sacs

24
Q

What is the function of golgi apparatus?

Study These Flashcards
A

Golgi modifies proteins by adding non-protein components like carbohydrates and these are transferred through the vesicles.

25
What is the structure of lysosomes?
Circular structures containing enzymes
26
What is the function of lysosomes?
Hydrolyse material ingested by phagocytic cells Release enzymes outside cell for exocytosis Digest worn out organelles to reuse their chemicals Break down cells when they are dead -> autolysis
27
What is the function of ribosomes?
Site of protein synthesis
28
What are the two types of ribosomes and where are they found?
70s- in prokaryotes | 80s- in eukaryotes
29
What is the structure of vacuoles?
Filled with cell cap Single membrane (tonoplast) Have a central vacuole inside
30
What is the function of vacuoles?
Make cells turgid to support plants | Can act as a temporary food store due to sugars and amino acids
31
What is the function of the cell wall? + what is it made of?
Made of microfibrils and cellulose Gives strength to cell to avoid bursting under osmotic pressure Allows water to move through the plant
32
What is a: Tissue Organ Organ system
Tissue- group of cells with a similar function working together Organ- group of tissues that perform a variety of functions Organ system- Organs that work together as a single unit
33
What are the comparisons between eukaryotes and prokaryotes?
Prokaryotic cells: 1. No nucleus, only area of DNA 2. DNA not associated with proteins 3. DNA may be in the forms of circular strands called plasmids 4. No membrane bound organelles 5. No chloroplasts 6. Ribosomes are smaller 7. Cell wall made of murein 8. May have a capsule on outside Eukaryotic cells: 1. Distinct nucleus, with envelope 2. DNA associated with proteins called histones 3. No plasmids + DNA is linear 4. Membrane bound organelles are present 5. Chloroplasts present in plant cells 6. Ribosomes are bigger 7. Cell wall is mostly made of cellulose 8. No capsule
34
What are the structures found in a bacterial cell?
``` Cell wall Capsule Cell-surface membrane Circular DNA Plasmid ```
35
What is the function of capsules?
Protects bacterium from other cells
36
What is the function of plasmids?
Contains genes that allow bacteria to survive in adverse conditions
37
Which one is larger? Prokaryote or Eukaryote?
Eukaryote
38
What is the structure of a prokaryote?
``` Flagellum-> for locomotion Genetic material-> large circle of DNA Cytoplasm-> contains enzymes + where chemical reactions take place Ribosomes Capsule Cell wall Cell membrane Plasmid ```
39
What are viruses?
Acellular, non living particles, smaller than bacteria Contain nucleic acids Can only multiply in living host cells
40
What is the structure of a virus?
Genetic material (RNA) Attachment proteins on outside -> allow viruses to identify/attach to host cells Capsid -> protein coat which encloses nucleic acid Lipid envelope Matrix Reverse transcriptase (enzyme)
41
What is mitosis?
Cell division that results in two identical daughter cells with the same DNA as parent cell
42
What are the 4 phases of mitosis?
Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase
43
What happens in prophase?
Chromatids become visible, nucleolus disappears | Centrioles separate to opposite poles of the cell + create spindle fibres
44
What happens in metaphase?
Chromosomes line up along the equator of the cell | Spindle fibres released from the poles and attach to the centromere/chromatid
45
What happens in anaphase?
Spindle fibres retract which pulls centromere/chromatids which are bound to opposite poles Therefore centromere divides in two and chromatids are pulled to opposite poles Separated chromatids = chromosomes Requires ATP from respiration
46
What happens in telophase?
Chromosomes become longer and thinner Spindle fibres disintegrate but nucleus forms again Cytoplasm splits in two to create two identical cells
47
What is a centromere?
The centre of a chromosome
48
What is cytokinesis?
Cytoplasm splits in two to create two identical cells
49
What is the process of cell division in prokaryotic cells?
Binary fission: Circular DNA replicates and these attach to cell membrane Plasmids replicate Cell membrane grows bigger and cytoplasm divides into two New cell wall forms between DNA molecules which divides the original cell into two identical daughter cells (this contains circular DNA + copies of plasmids)
50
How do viruses undergo cell division?
They cannot undergo cell division therefore they replicate by attaching to a host cell through their attachment proteins + inject their nucleic acid into the host cell which gives the 'instructions' to form new viruses
51
What part of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
Interphase
52
What occurs when there is uncontrolled cell division?
Tumours and cancer
53
What are the 3 stages of the cell cycle?
Interphase Nucelar division -> mitosis Cytokinesis
54
How long is the cell cycle/longest stage?
Usually around 24 hours and interphase is 90% of this time
55
How is cancer treated?
Killing dividing cells by blocking a part of the cell cycle: -preventing DNA from replicating -inhibiting metaphase stage of mitosis by interfering with spindle formation BUT these also interfere with normal cells which divide rapidly which is why hair loss occurs in cancer treatment

AQA Biology A level (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions