Cells Structure and Function : Introduction Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 3 cell theories?

A
  1. All living organism are composed of one or more cells
  2. The cell is the basic unit of structure and organisation
  3. All cells arise only from pre-existing cells
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2
Q

What are the 3 universal similarities between cells?

A
  1. DNA as the heritable material, RNA as a messenger and proteins as the workers
  2. Major cellular organelles - function and arrangements within the cell
  3. ATP as an energy source
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3
Q

What does Prokaryote cell and Eukaryote cell have in common?

A

Both have plasma membrane, cytosol, DNA, RNA, protein and ribosomes

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4
Q

What’s the difference between Prokaryote and Eukaryote cell?

A

Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles and are much larger.
Prokaryote cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus

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5
Q

What is the cytoplasm?

A

The cytoplasm is everything inside the plasma membrane including the organelles. Not including the nucleus.

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6
Q

What is the cytosol?

A

It is the fluid portion of the cytoplasm.
(Water plus dissolved and suspended substances eg. ions, ATP, proteins, lipids)

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7
Q

What are the major organelles in the cytoplasm?

A

Endoplasmic Reticulum (smooth and rough)
Golgi Apparatus
Lysosomes

Mitochondria
Ribosome

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8
Q

What components are in the endomembrane system?

A

G.L.E.N

Nucleus
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Golgi Appparatus
Lysosomes

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9
Q

What are components in the Cytoplasm?

A

Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth and Rough ER)
Plasma membrane
Ribosomes
Golgi Apparatus
Lysosome
Mitochondria
Cytoskeleton (Microfilaments, Intermediate filaments, Microtubules)

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10
Q

What is the Plasma membrane?

A

Selectively permeable barrier controlling the passage of substances in and out of the cell.
Double layer of phospholipids with embedded proteins. Physical barrier separating the inside/outside of cell.
Most of our body is hydrophilic. Fats are hydrophobic. Fats in cell membrane provide a barrier to water

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11
Q

What is Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic ?

A

Hydrophilic is water loving.
Hydrophobic is water hating

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12
Q

What is a phospholipid?

A

Hydrophilic polar heads (phosphate)
Hydrophobic lipid tails (fatty acids)
Arranged as double layer around cytoplasm, tail to tail.

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13
Q

What are Plasma membrane proteins?

A

Membrane proteins mediate movement of hydrophilic substances. Are often amphipathic which means they have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions

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14
Q

What are the two types of Plasma Membrane proteins?

A

Integral proteins and Peripheral membrane proteins

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15
Q

What are Integral proteins?

A

Embedded (partially or fully) into the membrane. Eg, Transmembrane proteins are integral membrane proteins that fully span the entire membrane, contacting both extracellular and cytoplasmic areas

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16
Q

What are Peripheral membrane proteins?

A

Associated with the membrane, but not actually embedded in it. Allow cell-cell identification and facilitate intercellular communication

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17
Q

What is the function of Plasma membrane proteins?

A

(C.A.S.E I.T)

  1. Transport
  2. Enzymatic activity
  3. Signal transduction
  4. Cell-cell recognition
  5. Intercellular joining
  6. Attachment to the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix (ECM)
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18
Q

What does Transport do in the Plasma membrane protein?

A

Channels, transporter, may be general or selective, gated or not.

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19
Q

What does the Enzymatic Activity do in the plasma membrane protein

A

Carry out chemical reaction, may or may not be a part of a team of enzymes

20
Q

What is Signal transduction do in the plasma membrane protein?

A

External signalling molecule causing communication of information to the inside of the cell

21
Q

What does cell-cell recognition do in the plasma membrane?

A

Use of glycoproteins. (carbohydrates + protein) as molecular signatures of the extracellular side of the cell

22
Q

What does Intercellular joining do?

A

Intercellular junctions are specialized regions of contact between the plasma membranes of adjacent cells. They are essential to any multicellular organism, providing the structural means by which groups of cells can adhere and interact. For example, gap junctions or tight junctions

23
Q

What does Attachment to the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix (ECM)

A

For example, Fibronectin mediates contact between cell surface integrins and ECM (E.g collagen) Can facilitate movement.

24
Q

Membranes are not static

A

The membrane is a mosaic of molecules bobbing in a fluid of bilayer of phospholipids. Cell specific and dynamic repertoire of membrane-bound proteins present as required

25
Q

What is the Nucleus and its function?

A

The largest distinct structure inside the. Enclosed by double lipid bilayer called nuclear envelope, continuous with rough ER. Entry through the Nuclear pores.

Functions to house/protect DNA, make RNA and assemble ribosomes. Pores regulate movement of substances (E.g protein and mRNA) in and out
Molecule segregation to allow temporal and spatial control of cell function.

26
Q

What is the Nucleolus?

A

An area inside the nucleus of a cell that is made up of RNA and proteins and is where ribosomes are made.

27
Q

What is Deoxyribonucleic Acid?

A

(DNA) Wrapped 2x around group of 8 histones, to form nucleosomes. - Collectively known as chromatin

As the cell prepares for cell division, chromatin condenses to form chromatin fibres then condenses further into loops and then stacks as chromosomes.

DNA is present as chromatin and chromatin fibers

28
Q

What are Chromosomes?

A

Comprises many genes

29
Q

What are genes?

A

A DNA segment that contributes to phenotype/function

30
Q

What are Ribosomes?

A

Two subunits, small and large made of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in complex with many protein.
Function for protein production (translation), found in two places within the cell:
- Free in the cytoplasm: making proteins to be used in cytosol (non-endomembrane destination)
- Attached to the ER: making non-cytosolic proteins/endomembrane

31
Q

What is the Endoplasmic Reticulum?

A

The ER is an extensive network of tubes and tubules, stretching out from the nuclear membrane.

32
Q

What are the two types of Endoplasmic Reticulum?

A

Smooth ER and Rough ER

33
Q

What is the Rough ER?

A

Continuous with nuclear envelope, dotted with attached ribosomes. Proteins enter lumen within the rough ER for folding.
Rough ER membrane surrounds the protein to form transport vesicles destined for the Golgi
Major function is the production of secreted proteins, membrane proteins, and organelle proteins.

34
Q

What is the Smooth ER?

A

It extends from the rough ER. It lacks ribosomes which means it doesn’t make protein.
Major function is as a housing unit for proteins and enzymes. Synthesises lipids, including steroids and phospholipids.
Functions of smooth ER vary greatly from cell to cell. Example: Houses enzymes for detoxification and for glucose release for the liver.

35
Q

What is the golgi apparatus? (Receiving and modifying.)

A

Made up 3-20 flattened membranous sacs called cisternae, stacked on top of one another. Functions to modify, sort, package, and transport proteins received from the rough ER using enzymes in each cisternae.

Formation of :
- Secretory vesicles (protein for exocytosis)
- Membrane vesicles (PM moluecules)
- Transport vesicles (molecules to lysosome)

36
Q

What is the golgi apparatus? (to destination)

A

–> Each sac or cisternae contains enzymes of different function.
–> Proteins move cis to trans from sac to sac
–> Mature at the exit cisternae
–> Travel to destination
–> Modifications occur within each sac (formation of glycoproteins, glycolipids and lipoproteins)

37
Q

What are lysosomes?

A

Contains powerful digestive enzymes. Vesicles formed from Golgi membrane. Membrane proteins pump H+ in to maintain acidic pH. Rest of cell protect by membrane.

Main function is the digestion of:
- substances that enter a cell
- Cell components e.g organelles - autophagy
- Entire cells - autolysis

38
Q

What is the Mitochondria?

A

Generates of ATP through cellular respiration.
Mitochondria are made up of:
- Outer mitochondrial membrane
- Inner mitochondrial membrane, with folds called cristae.
- Fluid filled interior cavity, called the mitochondrial matrix

The more energy a cell requires, the more ATP it must make and the greater the number of mitochondria present.

39
Q

What is the Cytoskeleton?

A

The structural support system of the cell/
Fibres or filaments that help to maintain the size, shape and integrity of the cell.
Act as scaffolding across the cell. Involved in intracellular transportation and cell movement.

40
Q

What are the three types of fibers (from smallest to largest)

A
  1. Microfilaments
  2. Intermediate filaments
  3. Microtubles
41
Q

What are microfilaments?

A

Diameter: 7mn
Comprised of actin molecules assembled in two long chains, twisted around each other. Found around the periphery and lining the interior of cell.

Functions to bear tension and weight by anchoring cytoskeleton to plasma membrane proteins, and promote amoeboid motility if required (E.g Macrophage).

42
Q

What are intermediate filaments and its function?

A

Diameter: 8-12nm
Comprised of diverse range of different materials; one example; keratin. Found in the cytoplasm of the cell.

Function to bear tension and weight throughout the cell. Act as scaffold for cellular organelles.

43
Q

What are microtubules and its function?

A

Diameter: tubular structure, 25nm with central lumen of 15nm.
Comprised of tubulin dimers (alpha and beta), coiledd, to form a tube. Extends from centriole into cytoplasm/nucleus.

Functions to supports cell shape and size.
Guide for movement of organelle (eg. vesicles from golgi to membrane).
Chromosome organisation - cell division
Support and movement of cilia/flagella

44
Q

Are microtubules dynamic?

A

Yes, they can assemble and disassemble as required

45
Q

Are intermediate filaments dynamic?

A

They are usually less dynamic
Usually the most permanent of cytoskeletal structures

46
Q

Are microfilaments dynamic?

A

Yes, they can assemble and disassemble as required