Cells pt.1 Flashcards
Define ‘cell’
The cell isthe basic structural and functional unit of living organisms
Some living organisms are single celled while some are composed of many cells. What are the two terms used to describe these organisms?
unicellular/multicellular
What are the most common structures found in an animal cell?
1) cell membrane
2) nucleus
3) cytoplasm
4) mitochondria
What are the most common structures found in a plant cell?
1) Cell wall
2) cell membrane
3) cytoplasm
4) chloroplasts
5) large permanent vacuole
6) nucleus
7) mitochondria
What are the two types of cells?
1) Prokaryotic
2) Eukaryotic
Are plants and animals Eukaryotes or Prokaryotes?
Eukaryotes
What is the difference between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells?
Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus and organelles bound by plasma membranes.
Prokaryotic cells do not have a membrane bound nucleus or organelles.
What is the function of the cell wall?
supports and protects the plant cell and also gives the plant cell its shape.
What is the function of the cell membrane?
it controls what substances enter and leave the cell
What is the function of the cytoplasm?
supports the organelles and is the site for many chemical reactions
What is the function of the nucleus?
controls the characteristics and functioning of the cell, is essential for cell division and it contains genetic information.
What is the function of the vacuole?
stores food, cell secretions or cell waste and supports the plant cells when the cell is full of water and the contents are pushing against the cell wall
What is the function of the mitochondria?
this is where respiration occurs to release energy for the cell.
What is the function of the chloroplasts?
this is where photosynthesis occurs to produce food for the plant
What is the function of the ribosomes?
this is where proteins are synthesized or produced
What is the function of the endoplasmic reticulum?
transports substances throughout the cell
Identify the differences between plant and animal cells.
1) animal cells do not have a cell wall but plant cells do
2) animal cells do not have chloroplasts/chlorophyll but plant cells do
3) when vacuoles are present in animal cells they are small and scattered throughout the cytoplasm and their contents vary. Plant cells usually have one large central vacuole which contains cell sap.
4) animal cells may contain glycogen granules as a food store. Plant cells may contain starch grains as a food store
5) animal cells can have a great variety of shapes. Plant cells have a regular shape which is usually round, square or rectangular.
Define cell differentiation
cell differentiation happens because multicellular organisms are composed of many different types of cells that specialize in different functions and as these cells are produced and developed they change their structure in some ways to specialize in a specific function.
Give another term for cell differentiation
cell specialization
Give examples of specialized cells in plants and animals
1) xylem vessels
2) root hair cells
3) red blood cells
4) epithelial cells
5) nerve cell
6) sperm cell
7) egg/ovum
What are xylem vessels?
pipe-like columns which provide support and transports water & mineral salts from the roots to other parts of a plant
What are root hair cells?
cells in a plant which increase the rate of diffusion of water and mineral salts, has a large surface area to volume ratio and has a long narrow extension of the cell
What are red blood cells
The biconcave shaped cells containing hemoglobin which have no nucleus, has an elastic cell membrane and transports oxygen to the other body cells.
